Valve stem

[supton]

Have a tire with a slow leak, like 1psi per week. Not going to kill me to air up every two weeks, but wouldn't mind fixing. That has me wondering: why are the stems routinely replaced (other than it's cheap enough to do). I reused the unknown age stems in my rims but put in new cores; the beads on the rims looked fine, but I didn't use any bead sealant. New valve cores.

I'm guessing in my case, it's easy enough to swap the core with a new one, and if I still have a slow leak, replace the stem once the weather warms up. If that doesn't fix, then just live with it, until the tire wears out.

 

[Donald]

I think most slow leaks are corrosion on the rim (assume tire is fine) rather than valve stem.

 

[demarpaint]

If you're driving locally you plan sounds OK. Did you try to just tightening the Schrader valve for now?

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Is it aluminum?

On my older aluminum wheels the wheel will corrode between the valve stem and wheel and it will always leak around there. Since it's a bit harder to clean up than a bead leak, I'll take the valve stem out and clean it up and then use some bead sealer on it to seal it back up and it's usually good to go.

 

[supton]

Steel rim. I only drive locally, about 50 miles each way on the highway for work (although I have a business trip planned for next week). Steel rim.

Haven't thought to just try tightening the core, not sure why I didn't think of that... Have to air it up this weekend, might as well check before swapping.

 

[Kestas]

Have you checked to see where it is leaking from? Overpressure the tire (45 psi?) and throw soapy water on the surface. A slow leak such as yours should show up as a foamy area after a few minutes. Especially check the tire/wheel seating area.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
Have you checked to see where it is leaking from? Overpressure the tire (45 psi?) and throw soapy water on the surface. A slow leak such as yours should show up as a foamy area after a few minutes. Especially check the tire/wheel seating area.


No, figured I would not see a leak on 1psi per week.

 

[Kestas]

Give it a shot. It's better to try and find the leak, rather than guessing where it is.

 

[HerrStig]

A good tire shop will polish and reseal the rim. Replace the valve, and perhaps look for a nail or other sharp object in the tread. Last resort, some Green Slime sealer, or a tube.