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i got this leak in tire

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T2urtle

T2urtle

Diamond Member
I got leak in one of my tires. I dont know what you guys consider slow but i put this one as slow leak.

my TPMS light turns on at about 28psi. Car label says 33psi. So a 5 PSI drop in about 9 days. I've just been pumping it up to about 35psi once a week. I got some time today to look into it, being 25 degrees i guess its a little warmer then normal.

Take off the tire, take a good look all around no huge nail of any sort. Snow is out so tires were wet, didn't locate any air bubbles. I pumped the tire up to 42psi figuring more pressure means more air leaking out so its easier to spot. NOTHING. I go after the stem, only liquid spray bottle i had that wasn't froze was glass cleaner, so i used that on the stem, no leaks.

I sprayed the whole tire down and gave it another look no bubbles. Rim isn't bent on inner/outer lip, sprayed the lips just in case. Can't figure it out, i've normally been able to spot nails/glass/staples easily but nothing going. 5PSI in 9 days makes me believe its something very tiny.

Other then a dunk tank, which would be dumb for me to try given the temp, i have no clue how to go about this leak.
 
never thought to use a tub, i have something i can use as a dunk tank but like i said its stupid to be doing it outside when its like in the 20's right now.

sadly, my place only has a stand up shower and the sinks aren't large enough.
 
The reality is that it's only a few things... Pretty much either valve stem/tpms module, puncture in the tire, or something stuck under the bead (sticker maybe?). Since it started randomly my bet is either valve stem core or small puncture


Who mounted the tires for you? Most likely they'd at least check it for free.

Glass cleaner bubbles a bit so it should've shown you a leak but I prefer water with dishsoap.
 
these aren't new tires.

Tires are like at 5/32. I have no issue over the summer, problem happened about 2 months ago. first 2 times i thought maybe it was related to weather change. Then it just got annoying every 10 days i have to fill it up, its not bad takes like 3 minutes with my portable air pump.

if the TPMS is leaking, would i just need to replace it? Most TPMS rebuild kits are like a battery and 2 new o-rings. Guess i have to pay for a dismount and remount...
 
I mean, it sounds like you already took the wheel off once? Take it off again and do a leak test in your bathtub..


Edit:

But pretty much the only thing you can do yourself is tighten or change the valve stem core... So pull the cap off, drip a drop of water and see if it fizzes. If not, then whatever the problem is will require you to have the tire pulled off the wheel so at that point just take it in
 
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I had similar problems with both my car and my wife's. One turned out to be a super small leak and the other turned out to be the valve stem. Tires plus charged $25 or so but Les Schwab was only 15ish
 
I know you checked the valve stem but have you checked the valve itself? Occasionally they may loosen themselves and just need to be tightened. It's a very simple check.
 
this is a classic bead corrosion scenario, if there really are no small punctures, nails etc...then it is a bead leak. pony up and take it to a tire store and get it fixed.
 
I agree with the above its got to be Valve or bead leak - If its just started and you ain't hit any curbs I would try a new valve insert first. If that don't cure it get a local garage to take the tire off and run some bead seal round the rim.
 
i didn't hit anything. I have a shreddur valve tool... somewhere in my toolbox. I'll check to see if its tighten later on.

I dont mind taking it to a shop but obviously that would be a LAST LAST resort type of thing.
 
i did a small test, my mother's camry with old crappy alloys had a leak as well, i heard pepboys does this for free if your a rewards member. Took it in at first they told me $15.

they did it for free. What i saw, they most likely patched the hole, I saw new valve stem and wheel weight so they balanced it. Pretty sweet deal. I would of paid $15 for it as well but FREE is FREE.

Now do i want to bring my in G35 to them... whats the rule with OEM alloy weights? I always used tape weights on any alloy, i found ways to make that weight stick. My wheels now dont have clip-on weights and i rather have it that way. I know you can/should put weights on OEM alloys and not on aftermarket stuff. If i tell them not to and the guy does it anyways... not much i can do because the damage is done to the wheel already.
 
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