Losing PSI, suggestions?

toxik · 08-09-2010, 09:33 AM

so about 1-2 weeks ago my TPMS warning light came on for the first time. I checked the psi on all tires and my rear driver side wheel was only at about 30psi. I pumped it back up to 35 to make sure all are equal. Yesterday the light went off again and it was the same exact wheel again at 30psi.

I did a quick inspection of the tire and no visible nails or anything were seen. Although I'm planning on completely taking it off later in the week to be 100% sure.

Thing is, if it was a nail or anything stuck in the tire, why would it take more than a week for me to only lose 5psi? My past experience, the tire would be flat after 1 night if anything was puncturing it. Any suggestions on what I should do or look for when I inspect the tire?

m4a1mustang · 08-09-2010, 09:52 AM

It depends on how well the nail is sealed in the tire. Sometimes they leak very slowly, other times they leak quickly. If it's not a nail it could also be a faulty valve stem.

I'd check the tire again with some soapy water to see if you can find the leak.

toxik · 08-09-2010, 10:26 AM

thanks for the advice, just hope its nothing serious.

m4a1mustang · 08-09-2010, 10:32 AM

As long as you don't have a nail in the sidewall you should be fine. If it's in the sidewall you'll need to replace the tire as sidewall damage can lead to serious tire failures.

cossie1600 · 08-09-2010, 01:33 PM

Dunk it in water and look for air bubbles

gufazi · 08-09-2010, 01:52 PM

I had the same issue over and over for a couple days. For me it ended up being an aftermarket valve stem cap. It was too tight, misthreaded or an damaged o-ring in the cap. I replaced the cap with the original and the tire hasn't lost any PSI since.

toxik · 08-09-2010, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gufazi

I had the same issue over and over for a couple days. For me it ended up being an aftermarket valve stem cap. It was too tight, misthreaded or an damaged o-ring in the cap. I replaced the cap with the original and the tire hasn't lost any PSI since.

you know what, that's what I was thinking. I had to get aftermarket valve stem caps because someone stole mine the week I got the car (not sure how that happened lol). I'll try that.

ROC1ROB · 08-10-2010, 10:49 AM

Try a little soap and water on the valve stem. Most likely your problem. You can drive beside a wall with the windows down and listen for and "clicking" sound as you drive. If there is a nail, you might be able to hear it, but I'm willing to bet it's a stem problem. GL with it.

08-09-2010, 09:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	It depends on how well the nail is sealed in the tire. Sometimes they leak very slowly, other times they leak quickly. If it's not a nail it could also be a faulty valve stem. I'd check the tire again with some soapy water to see if you can find the leak. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

08-09-2010, 10:32 AM	#4 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	As long as you don't have a nail in the sidewall you should be fine. If it's in the sidewall you'll need to replace the tire as sidewall damage can lead to serious tire failures. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

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08-09-2010, 01:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	Dunk it in water and look for air bubbles

08-09-2010, 01:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
gufazi Base Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Springfield, Virginia Posts: 28 Drives: 09 370Z Tour Sport Rep Power: 15	I had the same issue over and over for a couple days. For me it ended up being an aftermarket valve stem cap. It was too tight, misthreaded or an damaged o-ring in the cap. I replaced the cap with the original and the tire hasn't lost any PSI since.

08-10-2010, 10:49 AM	#8 (permalink)
ROC1ROB Base Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: AZ Posts: 201 Drives: 09 MT BS Base/Sports Rep Power: 15	Try a little soap and water on the valve stem. Most likely your problem. You can drive beside a wall with the windows down and listen for and "clicking" sound as you drive. If there is a nail, you might be able to hear it, but I'm willing to bet it's a stem problem. GL with it.