Tire losing air only when above ~70mph

Mike01ci · 03-18-2010, 08:57 AM

My front passenger tire is losing air only at speeds above ~70mph. This started right after a very high speed run. I took the tire to a tire shop; they dunked it and looked for leaks, punctures etc, and could not find anything and told me that I was good to go.

About once or twice a month I have to work in a city about 350 miles away from me and the majority of the drive is on back country roads (and of course I am doing it on Sunday). Sure enough half way through my drive I start losing pressure in the tire. I had to add air about every 30 miles (warning light would come on, and I would check and would be around 15-25 psi). I called bmw and they offered to tow me to a secured lot until the dealership 150 miles from work can look at it Monday morning, I decline and continue on. I put in the bmw tire sealant (thinking that would help since I don’t have a spare and I was out of ideas). Sure enough the sealant didn’t work, and I eventually figured out that if I go 70-72mph the tire will hold air. So I finally got back home and made an appointment with the dealership. While washing my wheel I noticed that if I push on the valve stem I can hear air.

-Do you think the valve stem is the only problem and why didn’t the tire shop notice it?
-Do you think the dealership will call me in couple hours and claim that I compromised the rigidity of the rft? (or something similar and equally dumb)
-Is there anyway my wheel could be corroded enough that the bead is not set (the car is not even a year old w/ 10k miles on it)?
-This ever happened to anyone else?

PS: Dear BMW, since you are refusing to drop the run-flat idea, could you at least design your trunk to accommodate a spare tire? (yes, I know I could put a donut in there and give up trunk room, however that is not an option, so please BMW you designed trunks for 30 years w/ the ability to have a spare, could you please do it again?)

Dackelone · 03-18-2010, 09:09 AM

I have seen a bad valve stem leak before, in the VW dealer I used to work at. It is pretty rare though. Most of the time you can use TINY need nose pliers or the special tool that fits into the valve stem, to tighten/seat the valve in the threads.

IF I were you, I would buy a spare tire though. I plan on doing the same thing. Yesterday I was talking to my dealer and they gave me a sweet offer on a mini spare donut. 160 euros for the donut and jack kit!

Its only four inches high and about 25 inches in dia. I don't think it will take up that much room in the trunk. I just do not know, IF I should go the donut route or get a real full size tire. I am leaning twoards a mini spare now, bc I could always use one of my snow tires IF I needed a tire long term - while waiting for a new run flat replacement.

Did you have the tire shop dismount the tire and clean out all that tire gump/sealer out? IF not, won't it affect the wheel/tire ballance down the road? Do you feel any shakes at speed?

Good Luck,
David

Mike01ci · 03-18-2010, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Did you have the tire shop dismount the tire and clean out all that tire gump/sealer out? IF not, won't it affect the wheel/tire ballance down the road? Do you feel any shakes at speed?

Good Luck,
David

Thanks for the advice, I am looking to buy a donut right now. I am very limited on the space in my trunk because it is usually filled with stuff for work that can't be kept on the inside of the car. I guess I could always keep the donut in the back seat, but again this is nothing I should have to do if the trunk was designed like every other car they have ever built.

I asked the dealership to clean it out and re-balance this morning. I figured it was BMW's fault that I had to use the sealant, I used their sealant in their "Mobility Kit" following their directions and if there is something wrong with the wheel, I want them to see it. Hopefully they won't charge me for something like this, but no big deal if they do (I am sure it can't be too much).

JasonCSU · 03-18-2010, 09:34 AM

I just had the same problem with a tire holding air, and I couldn't find a leak or puncture until I inspected the valve stem. It turns out that these valve stems are threaded and screw into the wheel, probably due to the TPMS. Once I tightened the valve stem, I no longer had the issue. I believe it was a 12mm socket that I used to tighten it. No need to take it to the dealer or tire shop for that. Concerning the rigidity of the RFT, I couldn't tell you if it is now compromised.

Mike01ci · 03-18-2010, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonCSU

I just had the same problem with a tire holding air, and I couldn't find a leak or puncture until I inspected the valve stem. It turns out that these valve stems are threaded and screw into the wheel, probably due to the TPMS. Once I tightened the valve stem, I no longer had the issue. I believe it was a 12mm socket that I used to tighten it. No need to take it to the dealer or tire shop for that. Concerning the rigidity of the RFT, I couldn't tell you if it is now compromised.

So you just put a socket over the exposed valve stem and you can tighten it with out taking the tire off etc? interesting.... thanks man.

JasonCSU · 03-18-2010, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike07i

So you just put a socket over the exposed valve stem and you can tighten it with out taking the tire off etc? interesting.... thanks man.

Exactly. When I determined the leak was from my valve stem, it first thought the tire would have to be removed to replace it. Once I took a closer look, I realized it was threaded and had just come loose. Glad I could help.

TMR013 · 03-18-2010, 10:51 AM

Had the same problem. It was the lose valve stem. Check that first.

Mike01ci · 03-18-2010, 10:53 AM

So do you guys think it was the high speed run that loosened it?

JasonCSU · 03-18-2010, 10:57 AM

I'd really doubt one high speed run would do that. More likely it came loose due to everyday driving over bumps and potholes.

TMR013 · 03-18-2010, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike07i

So do you guys think it was the high speed run that loosened it?

Possibly. I believe higher speeds may put more pressure on the valve.

Mike01ci · 03-18-2010, 11:21 AM

Just got call from dealership, they are charging me $34 to clean the tire out and re-balance it etc etc... which seems fair to me.

john08135i · 03-18-2010, 11:26 AM

YES.. loose valve stem. check them all..

dragon1761 · 03-18-2010, 11:30 AM

can someone post a video of how they tighten the valve stem and what they use to tighten it with. Ive been having this problem ever since i bought my car more than a yr ago. The dealer dunked my tires and they found no leak. I have to put air in every 1-2 months.

Mike01ci · 03-18-2010, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragon1761

can someone post a video of how they tighten the valve stem and what they use to tighten it with. Ive been having this problem ever since i bought my car more than a yr ago. The dealer dunked my tires and they found no leak. I have to put air in every 1-2 months.

Yeah a pic/video would be great. Do you take the cap off and just put a 12mm socket over the whole thing? what does it grip onto?

JasonCSU · 03-18-2010, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike07i

Yeah a pic/video would be great. Do you take the cap off and just put a 12mm socket over the whole thing? what does it grip onto?

I'll see if I can take a pic later, but that is exactly what you do. Take the cap off and fit the socket over the stem. It will grip onto hexagonal area around the stem.

john08135i · 03-18-2010, 11:55 AM

There is the TPMS sensor that is part of the valve stem.
It has a bolt style end on the outside like this.. just get a deep well socket to fit and tighten..but so not over tighten it has rubber seal.

http://www.precisionframe.com/tire/images/tpm_lg.jpg

Mike01ci · 03-18-2010, 12:39 PM

Just looked at the valve stems on the 328 loaner, yeah this looks real easy.

Dackelone · 03-19-2010, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragon1761

can someone post a video of how they tighten the valve stem and what they use to tighten it with. Ive been having this problem ever since i bought my car more than a yr ago. The dealer dunked my tires and they found no leak. I have to put air in every 1-2 months.

Having to put air in your tires is NORMAL over time! Any tire will loose "some" air as your drive. Typically, you should check your tires atleast once per month. But no one really does that. I try to make a habit of checking my tires once every third fill up.

This lack of people checking their tires is the MAIN reason why congress stuck us with these TPMS gizmos after the Explorer/Firestone fiasco. We Americans must be protected from ourselves! lol

bye,
David

Tom K. · 03-20-2010, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

This lack of people checking their tires is the MAIN reason why congress stuck us with these TPMS gizmos after the Explorer/Firestone fiasco. We Americans must be protected from ourselves! lol
bye,
David

As Walt Kelly said years ago, "We have met the enemy and he is us."

Tom

twenzel · 03-20-2010, 12:14 PM

I had the same problem. tighten or replace the valve stem.

jeremyc74 · 03-21-2010, 12:18 AM

I had the same issue as well. We had the stupid wheel on and off the car about 4 times before we actually figured it out. We checked the others to see if they were torqued properly, and they were all just finger tight. We torqued them all to the proper spec, and I haven't had any issues since, and that's been close to two years now.

03-18-2010, 08:57 AM	#1
Mike01ci First Lieutenant 78 Rep 345 Posts Drives: 16 M2 & 03 M5 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Detroit, MI iTrader: (5)	Tire losing air only when above ~70mph My front passenger tire is losing air only at speeds above ~70mph. This started right after a very high speed run. I took the tire to a tire shop; they dunked it and looked for leaks, punctures etc, and could not find anything and told me that I was good to go. About once or twice a month I have to work in a city about 350 miles away from me and the majority of the drive is on back country roads (and of course I am doing it on Sunday). Sure enough half way through my drive I start losing pressure in the tire. I had to add air about every 30 miles (warning light would come on, and I would check and would be around 15-25 psi). I called bmw and they offered to tow me to a secured lot until the dealership 150 miles from work can look at it Monday morning, I decline and continue on. I put in the bmw tire sealant (thinking that would help since I don’t have a spare and I was out of ideas). Sure enough the sealant didn’t work, and I eventually figured out that if I go 70-72mph the tire will hold air. So I finally got back home and made an appointment with the dealership. While washing my wheel I noticed that if I push on the valve stem I can hear air. -Do you think the valve stem is the only problem and why didn’t the tire shop notice it? -Do you think the dealership will call me in couple hours and claim that I compromised the rigidity of the rft? (or something similar and equally dumb) -Is there anyway my wheel could be corroded enough that the bead is not set (the car is not even a year old w/ 10k miles on it)? -This ever happened to anyone else? PS: Dear BMW, since you are refusing to drop the run-flat idea, could you at least design your trunk to accommodate a spare tire? (yes, I know I could put a donut in there and give up trunk room, however that is not an option, so please BMW you designed trunks for 30 years w/ the ability to have a spare, could you please do it again?) __________________ 16 M2 & 03 M5 - current 95 540i- sold, 09 135i - sold, 08 335i - sold, 07 335i - sold, 10 550i - sold, 99 m3 - sold, 06 m3 - sold (regret). 01 325ci - sold/gone/my 1st car, (later found abandoned in a field w/ fire damage).
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03-18-2010, 09:09 AM	#2
Dackelone European Editor 10539 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	I have seen a bad valve stem leak before, in the VW dealer I used to work at. It is pretty rare though. Most of the time you can use TINY need nose pliers or the special tool that fits into the valve stem, to tighten/seat the valve in the threads. IF I were you, I would buy a spare tire though. I plan on doing the same thing. Yesterday I was talking to my dealer and they gave me a sweet offer on a mini spare donut. 160 euros for the donut and jack kit! Its only four inches high and about 25 inches in dia. I don't think it will take up that much room in the trunk. I just do not know, IF I should go the donut route or get a real full size tire. I am leaning twoards a mini spare now, bc I could always use one of my snow tires IF I needed a tire long term - while waiting for a new run flat replacement. Did you have the tire shop dismount the tire and clean out all that tire gump/sealer out? IF not, won't it affect the wheel/tire ballance down the road? Do you feel any shakes at speed? Good Luck, David
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03-18-2010, 09:34 AM	#4
JasonCSU Colonel 702 Rep 2,548 Posts Drives: '08 135i, '88 325is Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (0) Garage List 1988 BMW 325is [0.00] 2008 BMW 135i [0.00]	I just had the same problem with a tire holding air, and I couldn't find a leak or puncture until I inspected the valve stem. It turns out that these valve stems are threaded and screw into the wheel, probably due to the TPMS. Once I tightened the valve stem, I no longer had the issue. I believe it was a 12mm socket that I used to tighten it. No need to take it to the dealer or tire shop for that. Concerning the rigidity of the RFT, I couldn't tell you if it is now compromised. __________________ Delivered in Munich, broken in on the Nurburgring.
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03-18-2010, 10:51 AM	#7
TMR013 Opus Angelus 425 Rep 1,267 Posts Drives: 2018 LBB M2 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Chandler, AZ iTrader: (0)	Had the same problem. It was the lose valve stem. Check that first.
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03-18-2010, 10:53 AM	#8
Mike01ci First Lieutenant 78 Rep 345 Posts Drives: 16 M2 & 03 M5 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Detroit, MI iTrader: (5)	So do you guys think it was the high speed run that loosened it? __________________ 16 M2 & 03 M5 - current 95 540i- sold, 09 135i - sold, 08 335i - sold, 07 335i - sold, 10 550i - sold, 99 m3 - sold, 06 m3 - sold (regret). 01 325ci - sold/gone/my 1st car, (later found abandoned in a field w/ fire damage).
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03-18-2010, 10:57 AM	#9
JasonCSU Colonel 702 Rep 2,548 Posts Drives: '08 135i, '88 325is Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (0) Garage List 1988 BMW 325is [0.00] 2008 BMW 135i [0.00]	I'd really doubt one high speed run would do that. More likely it came loose due to everyday driving over bumps and potholes. __________________ Delivered in Munich, broken in on the Nurburgring.
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03-18-2010, 11:21 AM	#11
Mike01ci First Lieutenant 78 Rep 345 Posts Drives: 16 M2 & 03 M5 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Detroit, MI iTrader: (5)	Just got call from dealership, they are charging me $34 to clean the tire out and re-balance it etc etc... which seems fair to me. __________________ 16 M2 & 03 M5 - current 95 540i- sold, 09 135i - sold, 08 335i - sold, 07 335i - sold, 10 550i - sold, 99 m3 - sold, 06 m3 - sold (regret). 01 325ci - sold/gone/my 1st car, (later found abandoned in a field w/ fire damage).
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03-18-2010, 11:26 AM	#12
john08135i Major 77 Rep 1,027 Posts Drives: 2013 M Sport, 2010 bmw S1000RR Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Orlando iTrader: (0)	YES.. loose valve stem. check them all.. __________________ M Sport Line Estoril Blue
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03-18-2010, 11:30 AM	#13
dragon1761 Lieutenant 88 Rep 528 Posts Drives: 128i SGM 08; 328i AW 14 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Arcadia, CA iTrader: (0)	can someone post a video of how they tighten the valve stem and what they use to tighten it with. Ive been having this problem ever since i bought my car more than a yr ago. The dealer dunked my tires and they found no leak. I have to put air in every 1-2 months.
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03-18-2010, 11:55 AM	#16
john08135i Major 77 Rep 1,027 Posts Drives: 2013 M Sport, 2010 bmw S1000RR Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Orlando iTrader: (0)	There is the TPMS sensor that is part of the valve stem. It has a bolt style end on the outside like this.. just get a deep well socket to fit and tighten..but so not over tighten it has rubber seal. http://www.precisionframe.com/tire/images/tpm_lg.jpg __________________ M Sport Line Estoril Blue
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03-18-2010, 12:39 PM	#17
Mike01ci First Lieutenant 78 Rep 345 Posts Drives: 16 M2 & 03 M5 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Detroit, MI iTrader: (5)	Just looked at the valve stems on the 328 loaner, yeah this looks real easy. __________________ 16 M2 & 03 M5 - current 95 540i- sold, 09 135i - sold, 08 335i - sold, 07 335i - sold, 10 550i - sold, 99 m3 - sold, 06 m3 - sold (regret). 01 325ci - sold/gone/my 1st car, (later found abandoned in a field w/ fire damage).
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03-20-2010, 12:14 PM	#20
twenzel Captain 53 Rep 754 Posts Drives: 15 Audi S3 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Austin TX iTrader: (2)	I had the same problem. tighten or replace the valve stem.
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03-21-2010, 12:18 AM	#21
jeremyc74 Banned 76 Rep 5,970 Posts Drives: '08 135i Montego/Terra Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Evansville, IN iTrader: (0)	I had the same issue as well. We had the stupid wheel on and off the car about 4 times before we actually figured it out. We checked the others to see if they were torqued properly, and they were all just finger tight. We torqued them all to the proper spec, and I haven't had any issues since, and that's been close to two years now.
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