Tire valve stem leaks when pushed to side

[bw77]

About 10 days ago I had a tire shop mount 4 snow tires on steel rims. Tires
have been sitting in the garage since. I checked the air pressure this morning
and found that on 2 of the tires, if I push the valve stem toward the outside
of the tire, there is a large leak of air. The other 2 tires are ok.

Is this caused by bad installation, bad quality valve stems? Rims are like new take-offs, 6x15.

Thanks.

 

[Lotek]

Did they change the valve stems? Either way the stems need to be replaced.

 

[Zeke]

Absolutely no good. They will bend outward at speed. If they are new, the installer pulled them too much.

 

[bw77]

Did they change the valve stems? Either way the stems need to be replaced.

Yes, they installed new valve stems.

 

[Lotek]

Yes, they installed new valve stems.

Their problem, take it back.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'd be taking them back too. Sounds like they pulled them through too hard or the rim was so rusty it tore the rubber of the valve stem.

 

[KenC]

Likely just bad stems, rubber too hard, not round, groove inconsistent etc.

Take 'em back.

 

[Shadowdog500]

There were a bunch of defective valve stems from china that would rot out and cause the problem that you are having. Perhaps the shop you went to put these in it.

I had to swap out all 4 stems on my wife's car because of this.

Here is a link: http://news.consumerreports.org/saf...-defective-chinese-made-tire-valve-stems.html

Chris

 

[4Tigers]

Let us know where the stems were made?

 

[Dave Nelson]

There were a bunch of defective valve stems from china that would rot out and cause the problem that you are having. Perhaps the shop you went to put these in it.

I had to swap out all 4 stems on my wife's car because of this.

Here is a link: http://news.consumerreports.org/saf...-defective-chinese-made-tire-valve-stems.html

Chris

^^^^ This, I had to change all 4 on my daughters car do to defective chinese stems.

 

[bw77]

Absolutely no good. They will bend outward at speed. If they are new, the installer pulled them too much.

I took a closer look, and it does look like the valve stems were pulled too far
through. There is lettering on the cap, but it's too small to make out.
I wonder if 2 people worked on the 4 tires, and one of them was a trainee.

 

[kbs2244]

The bad China valves were UV sensitive.
So most of the problem was in the sunshine states.
But I can imagine they would not age well, so if these have been around a while that may be the problem.
But either way, bad valves or bad install, it is their problem.
Take them back.

 

[rockchucker]

Either or I would have them replace all 4 of them with good ones. They shouldn't have to dismount or rebalance them if they do it right.

 

[dadsEH]

Let us know where the stems were made?

care to have a wild *** guess?

 

[y20dth]

Either or I would have them replace all 4 of them with good ones. They shouldn't have to dismount or rebalance them if they do it right.

I can't think of a way to replace valve stems without dismounting the tires.
You would atleast have to push the tire of the rim in the area where the valve stem resides.

If the mechanic is serious about his work, he (or she, gotta love exceptions to the rule ), he (or she) will want to balance the wheel again.

 

[PCO6]

I can't think of a way to replace valve stems without dismounting the tires.

We used to use a tool that pushed a new valve stem through the rim from the outside by using air pressure. I might still have it ... but I sure haven't used it in a long time.

Edit ... I found the whole kit. I used to use it a lot when I worked part time in gas stations during high school and college in the late 60's to mid 70's. Basically, with the tire still on the rim, you would push the valve stem to one side and cut about half way through it at the base. You would then insert the hook and pull out the stem. You would then lube a new stem, screw it into the base of the tool then cover it with one of the 2 cone shaped tops - one for a large - one for a small stem. You would hold it in one hand and apply air pressure to the small end of the tool. It worked great.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I can't think of a way to replace valve stems without dismounting the tires.

I just used the bead breaker on my HF tire changing machine to break the bead right next to the valve stem. I only broke it just enough to change the stem then re inflated.

Chris.

 

[ktmben]

I can't think of a way to replace valve stems without dismounting the tires.
You would atleast have to push the tire of the rim in the area where the valve stem resides.

If the mechanic is serious about his work, he (or she, gotta love exceptions to the rule ), he (or she) will want to balance the wheel again.

No reason to rebalance. They will just push one bead in and replace the stem. The tire does not move so the balance will be the same. I wouldn't worry about replacing all the stems. I'm sure they were just in a hurry and made a mistake. It's that time of year and shops are rushed to get tires in and out in a hurry because "the customer is waiting" Just have them check to make sure the rim is OK when they replace them stems.

 

[mikeceli]

In 2002 a dealer installed new tires and rubber stems that were DESIGNED to push into the rim, from the OUTSIDE. One failed in a few days and I had them ALL switched to metal stems.

I have since installed metal stems on ALL my 8 vehicles, with new tire purchases. I buy the stems from NAPA Auto or other parts stores. tHIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT W/ lOAD range "E" (80 PSI max) tires.

 

[bw77]

I went back to the tire shop today and they replaced the 2 leaking valves.
They had no idea what could have caused them to leak.

It looks to me like the new valve stem is more conical, and the old one is
more bulb like on the bottom, which might have made it harder to install.
Not sure. I did not ask about COO.

Old one on left, new one on right.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Oddly, this occurred to me today. I got new rubber from tire rack and drop them off with the local garage. First one I put on the car seemed okay. But coming home in wife's vehicle, she hears the hiss.

I tightened the cap and it helped some. Went back later to snug the valve and the whole thing spun in the wheel.

Glad she noticed!

 

[2oolhound]

I had 4 new tire installed a few years ago. When the shop manager was doing up the the work order he asks if I wanted new valve stems installed. I thought about it ... in 40+ years of driving I've never installed new stems along with my tires, they out live the tires by about 5X so I said no. He seemed aggravated that I didn't follow his advice. About 2 weeks later I go outside to find I have a flat. When pumping the tire up I notice it is the valve stem leaking. I go check the other 3 and sure enough if I bend them they all leak. I'm convinced they stomped on them in the shop to teach me a lesson. I've had the tires rotated and a new set installed since and no other problems. I quit going to that shop though.

 

[fsae0607]

It's also a good idea to put a dab of tire lube when installing the stems.

Back when I worked at a tire shop ten years ago we also had a stem recall. What a nightmare

 

[sberry]

Yes, I often put a light dab of cement around before pulling thru the hole or some tire slime works great too. Slime works good as a bead lube too.

 

[Gew]

When I went to top up air yesterday I came to realize the the aluminium tire caps I fit just last fall had already seized, they were all stuck. Took a pair of pliers I had in the trunk and tried undoing the cap. Not such a good idea, I heard air escaping from the side of the valve stem when turning the pliers. I quickly drove home where over the night I was calmly flat out. Now, luckily change for summer tires is on, so today I shifted all four. Took the bad winter tyre inside and emptied it. Then I bent the stem really bad and sprayed all around it with PTFE. Hopefully I can manage to fix the leak without having to visit a garage. Anyways, I'll not need this tire until next winter, so I better not worry. Glad I found this thread though, to see I'm not alone in the world.

 

[firemanchad]

PCO6
I remember using one of them with my grandpa. that is so cool

 

[LS6 Tommy]

We used to use a tool that pushed a new valve stem through the rim from the outside by using air pressure. I might still have it ... but I sure haven't used it in a long time.

Edit ... I found the whole kit. I used to use it a lot when I worked part time in gas stations during high school and college in the late 60's to mid 70's. Basically, with the tire still on the rim, you would push the valve stem to one side and cut about half way through it at the base. You would then insert the hook and pull out the stem. You would then lube a new stem, screw it into the base of the tool then cover it with one of the 2 cone shaped tops - one for a large - one for a small stem. You would hold it in one hand and apply air pressure to the small end of the tool. It worked great.

We had similar kits at the Exxons.

Tommy

 

[bwringer]

Man, I really long for the simpler days before TPMS ******** when valve stems were dead simple and dead reliable.

And yes, I always replace rubber valve stems when installing new tires. They're stupid cheap, so I don't see the point in not replacing them to save six or eight bucks. Why take any chances at all?

With the metal valve stems used on some motorcycles, I generally replace the stems every three to five years. Of course, if I could get the rubber seals separately I'd just replace that part, but it's still a very minor cost in the grand scheme of things.


Kits to replace a valve stem without breaking the bead are still a thing:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005K8E9FY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

But honestly, I change my own motorcycle tires and it's little to no trouble to break the bead on one side of a car or motorcycle tire to replace a valve stem.



Also, I don't think there is such a thing as a valve stem that's not made in China. But I'd love to be proven wrong; heck, I would consider valve stems made in Taiwan to be a significant improvement over China.

 

[bczygan]

Man, I really long for the simpler days before TPMS ******** when valve stems were dead simple and dead reliable.

And yes, I always replace rubber valve stems when installing new tires. They're stupid cheap, so I don't see the point in not replacing them to save six or eight bucks. Why take any chances at all?

With the metal valve stems used on some motorcycles, I generally replace the stems every three to five years. Of course, if I could get the rubber seals separately I'd just replace that part, but it's still a very minor cost in the grand scheme of things.


Kits to replace a valve stem without breaking the bead are still a thing:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005K8E9FY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

But honestly, I change my own motorcycle tires and it's little to no trouble to break the bead on one side of a car or motorcycle tire to replace a valve stem.



Also, I don't think there is such a thing as a valve stem that's not made in China. But I'd love to be proven wrong; heck, I would consider valve stems made in Taiwan to be a significant improvement over China.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=valve+stems+made+in+usa&ul_noapp=true

 

[Mr.N]

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=valve+stems+made+in+usa&ul_noapp=true

Thanks for posting..

Looks like Milton on ebay is the only USA brand left...
Milton on Amazon is Chinesium.

 

[nadogail]

TPMS, another reason I will keep driving my '99 Chevy Van.

 

[lilredex]

I always use new stems with new tires. Pull them in with this tool and lubricate with hand cleaner. (same for the tire bead).

 

[Kevin54]

When I went to top up air yesterday I came to realize the the aluminium tire caps I fit just last fall had already seized, they were all stuck. Took a pair of pliers I had in the trunk and tried undoing the cap. Not such a good idea, I heard air escaping from the side of the valve stem when turning the pliers. I quickly drove home where over the night I was calmly flat out. Now, luckily change for summer tires is on, so today I shifted all four. Took the bad winter tyre inside and emptied it. Then I bent the stem really bad and sprayed all around it with PTFE. Hopefully I can manage to fix the leak without having to visit a garage. Anyways, I'll not need this tire until next winter, so I better not worry. Glad I found this thread though, to see I'm not alone in the world.

Aluminum on brass is a huge no-no. They will corrode and will not come off.