Leaking tire valves

DieselPower · Dec 26, 2006

If they don't work shoot me a PM with your address and I'll drop a couple good ones in the mail for you. The ones I buy are made by Schrader. Solid brass and chrome plated with a good long lasting gasket seal.

Something else you might want to inspect is the end of the valve stem. The part that would seal against the gasket in the valve cap. Make sure there are no gouges in the end of it or even a good valve cap may not fix your problem. If it does have a nick in it you could carefully file it to a nice flat sealing surface.

149owner · Dec 27, 2006

Thanks DieselPower, I'll know it a day or two if they are working!

Egon · Dec 27, 2006

Use a little grease on the valve core threads, thread in snuggly, air tire to maximum presure and place a film of spit over end of valve stem to check for air leaking.

149owner · Dec 27, 2006

I had put pipe dope on the new schrader valve threads and did the "spit test" at that time and they seemed ok. A few days later there was a small amout of antifreeze on the rim again. I've put the new caps on and have to wait a few days to see if it is still leaking the antifreeze.

Egon · Dec 28, 2006

Could it be the actual valve stem seal inside the rim is leaking?

This would mean replacing the complete valve stem. This can be done with the tire on the rim and full of fluid.

Tire Tech, Larry Carley, Tire Review, February 2001

149owner · Dec 28, 2006

Well, it's been a few days since I put the caps with gaskets on the valve stems and the rims are still dry!
Egon, If I had to replace the whole stem I would take it to the dealer. If there was no antifreeze in the tire I would do it myself but with my luck the bottom bead would break along with the top bead and dump antifreeze all over the place! Thanks to everyone for their inputs. Have a healthy and Happy New Year!