RX-Hachi

I checked my tire pressure yesterday morning and all 4 tires were perfectly inflated to 34 psi. Had some breakfast and about an hour later took the car out for a drive. Then I noticed that my TPMS warning light was on, how could this be? I had just checked the tires an hour ago. So I ignored it for a while, got back home, and sure enough my driver’s front was flat to about 10 psi.

OK, bummer I thought, need to go to the tire shop to get it fixed. Pumped some air into it to about 38 psi, hoping I wouldn’t need to use the stop leak gunk. Drove it a few blocks and the pressure was fine. It’s now been over 24 hours since that incident and the air pressure has stayed the same. I’ve visually inspected the tire and can’t find a nail or anything. I put the valve stem under water and no air bubbles from it seem to be leaking.

I’m totally baffled as to how I could lose 24 psi one moment and now the tire seems fine again. (I have the Dunlops.) The only possible thing I can think of is when I first checked the pressure, perhaps I over tightened the valve stem covers (I have the rotary valve covers) and part of the O-ring nudged the inner stem causing it to leak. I’d hate to take the tire to the local shop and look like a fool because it’s not leaking now.

Any ideas?

cgrx

Gord96BRG

Sticky valve stem - when you checked/filled your tires, the spring-loaded valve stem possibly didn't reseat properly, allowing a small air leak. Could have been a small piece of grit, perhaps. When you checked and refilled the tires, the grit blew in/out, and the valve stem then seated correctly.

That's one possibility, anyway! Keep a real close eye on that tire - maybe check for screws/nails as well?

Regards,
Gordon

Vortex

I had something similar happen this spring. I checked the pressure and everything was fine, started driving to work, and my idiot light came on. Checked it out at the parking lot at work and my guess at that time was...

The whee sensors have that metalic valve stem nut on it, it was loose and I tightened it back up and the warning went off on my way home. I think when I was unscrewing the cap my winter gloves my have loosened the sensor nut at the same time.

Not sure if that was the culprit, but it worked for me.

Rob Tomlin

Yeah, I was going to say the same thing as Gordon- sticky valve stem.

VmanX

i had a screw in my tire...

went to Midas today so they could check why the TPMS light kept coming on and they said "maybe it's that screw embedded on that tire right there.."

*smack in the head*

RX-Hachi

Yes, a screw or nail would be the obvious culprit. I've searched the tire several times and can't find one. Again, I had checked the pressure first thing the other morning and it was fine, but when I started it up an hour later the TPMS light came on. It hadn't been driven until then, so there was no way to pick up a new nail or screw. If a screw or nail was embedded from before, the pressure should have already been low that morning.

Like others, I suspect it had something to do with the valve. I hope it was just a fluke, I'm checking the pressure every few hours and so far it seems fine now.

ezrider55

I had the same problem and used valve stem tool to losen then tighten valve stem on that tire. Problem has not reoccured. :D Tool is in flat tire kit.

stauburn

I am have the exact problem with mine too.......I didn't know theat there was a tool in the kit .. I will try that tommorrow.

What is the deal with every gas station charging for air? that totally pisses me off!!!! I am not paying 50 cents to spends 10 seconds putting air in my tire!!!

but I probaly spend more than that in gas finding a as staion that will have free air

VooDoo

Had it happen with a previous vehicle, major head scratcher... :D

reddragonmd

lol :D

zoomalot

It could have been a prank.