Thread: Slow air leak
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Old 04-04-2008, 07:08 PM   #3
wmtire
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rtcassel View Post
Twice since I got metal stems I had a (not slow) leak around a stem after a tire was mounted. I held the stem with my fingers so that it would not turn, and then carefully tightened the nut that compresses the rubber washer that is under the rim. It stopped leaking.
If the tire doesn't have a puncture anywhere in it, the stems (as Rtcassel pointed out) and/or the beads may be leaking. The easiest way to check this is to make yourself a solution of water with some dishwashing liquid mixed in. If you have some kind of pump spray bottle handy, put the solution in it and spray the valve stem where it comes thru the rim, the valve core itself (inside the stem, because they are sometimes loose or faulty), and all around the rim (where the tire bead seals), especially around where the wheel weights are (sometimes the clips on the weights will push the bead back away from the rim).

If it is a slow leak, watch for a bubble(s) to start to form at these spots. It may take a little bit, but should make a bubble because of the dishwashing liquid in it.

EDIT: I needed to add something, especially about possible leaking around the beads. A lot of tire manufacturers attach a bar code label to one of the beads. A lot of time, there will be a small, slow leak there, if the guy who mounts the tire doesn't remove the label before mounting. Wouldn't be at all surprised if this is your culprit.
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