valve stems leak mystery?

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edwardh1

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neighbor lady friend bought new set of cooper tires. from day one, two of the tires seemed to leak down some, 2003 toyota alloy oem rims, I am not in the rust belt . No dings on the rims.
she went back they told her "rust on the rims", so she added air herself every few days (had to buy a tire pump)over a few months, I looked at it recently, put liquid soap around the valve stems and two of them blew bubbles at a slow but steady speed where the rubber valve stem fits in the rim. I called the tire place- man on phone said "yes we had a recall on valve stems, took it in they replaced the two ones that were leaking, (strange to me they did not replace all 4 stems, I would have if it was my tire shop.) but thats where it is now .
When I went in the I told the counter man that the other counter man on his right said they had had a stem recall- he gave the other guy a dirty look but did not say anything.
what caused this?
rims?
bad valve stems? stems are the simple short all rubber ones (except where cap goes on)
bad installation?- are you supposed to lube the stem b4 pulling it thru the hole? or clean the seating surface of the stem inside the rim? I have never had a valve stem leak???
thoughts?
 
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All those things.

First, the recalled valves don't have a date stamp on them - only on the package they came in. So you can't tell (other than brand) if you have recalled valves or not.

Second, valves are supposed to lubed when installed, but hardly anyone does that. I've seen a few of them torn in the mounting process, but it is rare and any leakage is there from day one.
 
Last october I had some Hankooks mounted on my 05 Toyota Matrix at Walmart. Install took 25 minutes by a younger guy. I noticed the plastic hub cap was pushed against one of the valve stems causing it to leak. Took it back and an older guy tested each tire for air leaks. A few of the other tires had leaks around the rim. He redid every thing and took his time. Now the tires hold air very well. Even after a few months in freezing winter the air pressures were fine.
 
Originally Posted By: CapriRacer


Second, valves are supposed to lubed when installed, but hardly anyone does that. I've seen a few of them torn in the mounting process, but it is rare and any leakage is there from day one.



Interesting. I've handled stems that seem a little pre-lubed from the factory, with the thinnest layer of a white, soapy substance. Preservative? Lube? Both?

When I pull them through, they "feel right".
 
Originally Posted By: HerrStig
I undestand the recalled stems are Chinese.


Oh, that's shocking!
smirk.gif
 
last set i bought @ discount, (would have been around '08), they put in metal valve stems, and one was leaking to the point where in less than a week, it would be down to 20 lbs. when i went back, the first guy i dealt with(early-mid 20's) tried to swear up & down it was just the pressure difference caused by weather, or that tire being shaded, while the others were in sun, etc.
to which I replied "not a 15 lb difference on 1 tire when the other 3 are holding steady"
I had to cause a bit of a scene, telling them (truthfully) i was driving 100 mi each way to give that store my business cuz i had always been treated well there in the past, etc. when one of the other (and older) counter jocks pulled him aside, reminded him the did have some problem stems a little while back, and to take it in for a look. (original jockey got that defeated little kid stomp your feet and cry look)

- the installing tech hadn't cleaned the rim thoroughly enough, and there were a couple pieces of crud keeping the bead from fully sealing. also replaced the stem. no problems with those tires rest of the time i owned that car.
 
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They say in 1900 when cars were getting big a rubber schraeder valve stem was 20 cents. Nothing's changed.
lol.gif
 
Originally Posted By: edwardh1
when was the recall- recent (last 6 months) or the recalls in 06 and 08?


I think the recall was in 2008 with the valves produced in 2006 and 2007. I don't think there have been any other recalls on valve. Just the Dill ones.
 
Originally Posted By: eljefino
Originally Posted By: CapriRacer


Second, valves are supposed to lubed when installed, but hardly anyone does that. I've seen a few of them torn in the mounting process, but it is rare and any leakage is there from day one.



Interesting. I've handled stems that seem a little pre-lubed from the factory, with the thinnest layer of a white, soapy substance. Preservative? Lube? Both?

When I pull them through, they "feel right".


I would be careful of that. I don't think the white substance is lube per se. I think it is stearic acid leaching out due to the age of the valve (or the storage and shipping conditions). While stearic acid has lubrication properties, I don't think that was the intent.

Personally I would take the moment it takes to lube the valve.
 
If the white stuff is dry, it's likely zinc stearate. It's commonly used in production so elastomer won't stick to the mold. You see it on most rubber products.
 
And example of a small part which can cause big problems. How much more is a "commercial quality" stem of the kind which might be installed on a police vehicle?
 
well the tire shop replaced two of the valve stems, and after 10 days one tire has leaked down.
the soap test shows the valve stem blowing bubbles around the side of the valve stem- not from out the center hole. on my neighbors 2003 lexus with alloy rims.

is there a bolt on type valve stem? are the metal looking stems bolt on?where you could be sure it is tight to the rim?
or premium valve stems?
 
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Hummmm... I have 1 of the vehicles that loose air on all 4 tires since installed. I add a little air every month.
I always have new valve stems installed every new tire installs. Maybe I should check the stems for leaks, or tell them next rotation.
 
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