There’s a misconception among car owners that punctures like nails and screws in tires are the only cause of tire leaks. The truth is, tires can lose air slowly without punctures. For instance, you can have a tire leak from valve stem and the rim or tire bead.
Like punctures, a slow tire leak from the valve stem can be easy to detect, and ignoring it for an extended period may affect the handling and eventually lead to catastrophes. Our experts at RX Mechanic don’t want you to experience any casualties. This article will outline the causes, diagnosis, and how to replace a bad valve stem in a tire.
What Causes tire leak from valve stem?
Firstly, what is a tire valve stem? The tire valve is a component on the wheel through which you inflate and deflate the tires. It consists of two major components – the valve stem core and the cap. The valve system core has a spring-loaded mechanism that prevents the air inside it from coming out unless you depress it.
If you’re wondering, is the valve stem part of the tire or the rim? Note that it is an essential part of the wheel assembly.
However, several factors can fail the tire valve stem over time. Here are the possible causes of a tire leak from the valve stem.
Damaged valve stem
The most common cause of a tire leak from the valve stem is a damaged stem. The valve stem can damage due to normal wear and tear from aggressive road agents or impacts from road curbs and potholes.
Loose or missing valve stem cap
Let’s clarify; a missing valve stem cap will not cause the valve stem to lose air. The cap is designed to protect the valve stem from dirt and debris. But if the cap is lost, it’ll allow debris, dust, and other junk to accumulate on the stem, causing accelerated wear.
So, if you lose the valve stem cap, do not continue driving for an extended period without it. This is because it’ll cause issues in the long run.
Corrode or clogged valve stem
Corroded or clogged valve stems can prevent the valve stem from holding air as it should, causing slow air leaks. This explains why you shouldn’t drive without the valve stem cap. And, always wash the wheel assemble at every car wash.
Incorrect installation
If you get a new rim and tire, chances are the valve stem is leaking due to incorrect installation. If the valve stem does not seat properly, it’ll result in air leaks. If the tire valve stem leaks when pushed, you have an incorrect installation that needs attention before it pulls off on the highway.
The leak can be minor or significant. Regardless of the degree of the leak, it’ll continue until you reseat the valve stem.
How do you know a tire leak from the valve stems?
Valve stems in tire leaking air can be identified by loss of air pressure in the tire, accompanied by a hissing sound from the valve stems. Moreso, the valve stem may be corroded, rusted, or appear to be damaged.
However, the leak may be coming from somewhere in the tire. It could be coming from lousy tire beads, bent rims, nails in the tire, or any other puncture. To determine if the valve stem is the culprit, get a spray and fill it with a mixture of water and detergent. A dishwasher will be preferable in this case.
After that, spray the soapy water around the valve stem and watch out for bubbles. You can also spray the soapy water on other areas of the tire to determine if any other part is leaking. The soapy water will bring out bubbles in any leaking area.
However, you have to run this test with the tires inflated. If you see bubbles around the valve stems, the valve is faulty and needs replacement. Find out how to put air in tire with a broken valve stem if the tire is already deflated. If the test proves the valve stem is faulty, the only solution will be to replace it.
How do you fix a tire leak from the valve stem?
If the diagnosis proves the valve stem is the root cause, replace it with a new one. Here’s a simplified guide on how to change valve stem in tires.
Items and tools needed
- Valve stem tool
- Bottle or floor jack
- Jack stands
- Car tire pump with the correct nozzle
- Wheel spanner for mounting & removing the tire
- A nose pin plier
- DIYer tire and rim separator
- New valve stem.
Step 1: Lose the lug nuts
Place wheel chocks on the opposite of the wheel you’re working on. For instance, if you have to remove the driver-side front tire, place the wheel chocks on the passenger-side back tire.
Grab the wheel spanner and loosen all the lug nuts holding the tire in place while the car is still on the ground. But do not remove the nut lugs until you lift the vehicle and support it with a jack stand.
Some car wheels have anti-theft lug nuts on all the wheels. Without the unlocking key, you won’t be able to remove all the wheel nuts. You have to find the lug nut key and remove that particular lug nut while the vehicle is still on the ground.
Step 2: Lift the vehicle
Ensure you park the vehicle on a leveled and firm pavement. Then, engage the hand and put the vehicle in gear if you’re working on a manual car.
Locate the jacking point on your car chassis and place the jack on it. Lift the vehicle until the tire is off the ground. Secure the vehicle with a jack stand and remove the jack. After that, loosen the lug nuts completely and remove the tire from the wheel.
Step 3: Remove the valve stem cap
With the tire on the ground, remove the valve stem cap also, Remove the valve stem core using your tire valve stem removal tool to let air out of the tire.
Step 4: Remove the tire from the rim
Separate the tire from the rim using a DIYer tire separator. You can do this with a commercial tire removal machine if you have a mechanic garage.
Gently remove the tire from the rim and avoid damaging the sensor attached to the valve stem.
Step 5: Remove the lousy valve & reinstall the new one
Once the tire and rim are separated, check if the valve stem has a sensor. If it does, remove it with a suitable spanner. After that, remove the lousy valve stem and pull it out with nose pin pliers.
After removing the old one, clean the surface with a clean brush and reinstall the new one from the inside. You can dab the oil on your finger and rub it on the surface to make your work easier. Next, install the sensor attached to the valve stem as you removed it earlier.
Step 6: Fix the tire and rim
Now, it’s time to reinstall the tire on the rim. You can use the reverse method when separating the tire from the rim. Inflate the tire after fixing it on the rim. Ensure it is at the recommended PSI.
Step 7: Check for leaks & reinstall the tire
With the tire fully inflated, check the system for leaks by spraying soapy water around the valve stem. If you stem bubbles around it, it shows you did not fit it properly. But if not, pat yourself on the back and mount the wheels.
Mount the tire on the wheel. Remove the jack stands and bring down the vehicle. It’s important not to lock the lug nuts when the tire is suspended. Only snug the lug nuts by hand and tighten them when the vehicle is on the ground.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
Q: How much does it cost to tire leak from the valve stem?
Tire valve stem replacement is an easy task, even for non-mechanics. This is why replacing a lousy tire valve stem doesn’t cost a fortune. However, you need the right tool to separate the tire from the rim.
Fixing a valve stem leak through a DIYer route will cost you around $10. If you want to take the vehicle to a mechanic garage, it will cost you between $25 and $30.
Q: Is the valve stem attached to the tire?
The car valve stems are attached directly to the rim and not the tire. Most folks often mistake the rim for the tire, which is why an average person will say the valve stem is attached to your tire.
It is more appropriate to say the valve stem is attached to the wheel than saying it is attached to the tires since the tire and rim together are called wheel.
Q: Can you drive without a tire valve stem?
If you mean without the valve stem cap, you can continue driving with it. The function of the cap is to prevent dirt and debris from getting into the valve stem.
But if you’re asking whether you can drive without a tire valve stem, the answer is no. It is through the valve stem that you inflate and deflate the tires. Without it, you can’t inflate the tire, and the air inside the tire will escape.
Q: Can you drive with a tire valve leak?
You can drive with a slow leak from the tire valve stem. You can, doesn’t mean you should. Do not continue driving with it for an extended period. Driving with a leaking valve stem in tire is unsafe as it could lead to low tire pressure, tire cupping, and inner and outer tire wear, eventually increasing the chances of a tire blowout.
Q: How do you temporarily fix a valve stem leak?
There’s a temporary fix for a tire leaking from the valve stem. The only feasible solution is to replace the valve stem. And replacing the valve stem will give a permanent solution if the valve stem is the cause of the underlying issue.
Final Words
Tire leak from valve stem will eventually cause low tire pressure and affect overall handling if ignored. It is crucial always to check your tire pressure and run visual inspections regularly.
Always keep your tire at the recommended PSI and address any issue on the tire valve stem. To your rescue, this article has explained how to do a tire valve replacement. Follow the instructions in this article on how to put valve stem in tire to replace a defective tire valve stem.
However, contact a tire service technician if you need the tools to separate the tire from the rim.
