Valve Stem Stuck
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 308
Likes: 14
From: Belleville, IL
Valve Stem Stuck
I got a message yesterday that my left rear tire was a little low on air. When I got home, I tried putting some air in it, but it's not taking air. At first, I thought my inflating tool was broken, so I tried a different tire, and it works just fine. I seem to remember something I read on here about this, but I cannot find anything. Do these get dirt in them, or get "stuck" to where they won't take any air? Anything, short of just replacing it, that I can do to "Free" it up?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 315
From: Bridgewater New Jersey
Have you tried pushing the core of the valve stem in? Only thing is, the valve can release but not return to the closed position, causing a flat. Might want to have a tire shop look at it.
The tire shops have overhaul kits if the stem needs replacement. If the seat inside the valve is not damaged, the kit could fix it all. Otherwise the whole unit needs replacement.
You could also get away with just freeing that valve with WD-40.
The tire shops have overhaul kits if the stem needs replacement. If the seat inside the valve is not damaged, the kit could fix it all. Otherwise the whole unit needs replacement.
You could also get away with just freeing that valve with WD-40.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
Might have some debris caught. Old school trick is to jack the core in and out a few times to try clearing the debris. And as mentioned you have the possibility of losing all the air out of the tire, been there done that in the 18 wheeler.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,514
Likes: 235
From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
It is also easy to bend the valve core stem. If your inflator has a small button it can push the stem sideways and bend it. Simple to replace.
Last edited by FortMorganAl; Jan 5, 2016 at 09:28 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,959
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,755
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From: Baton Rouge LA
St. Jude Donor '14, '16
Absolutely just change the valve core stem, but I'd jack that wheel up so that you don't have the possibility to break the bead on the tire while it's sitting there flat OP.
Last edited by sevinn; Jan 5, 2016 at 11:35 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 462
From: Southern Utah
One advantage of runflat tires is that you can let all the air out and the tire will sit there looking exactly the same as always, so you can't really do any damage. I would agree that removing the valve core and checking it is a good idea, as long as you have the ability to re-inflate the tire afterwards.
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