valve core leaking

[Tfrank59]

So my rear tire leaks down like 2-3 psi in 2-3 days.  I have the permanent metal valve stems, and I've not replaced the valve core since new--3 tires ago.  Can I just remove and replace the valve core, if I'm careful not to break the bead?  I know it's not tire or rim damage

[hubcapsc]

You almost certainly won't break the bead by taking the core out. Make sure the bike
doesn't fall on you though, it might stand up enough on the kick-stand to do it.

-Mike

[Tfrank59]

thanks.  I was thinking of having it on the lift

[old2soon]

Did that metal valve stem tighten from the inside or the outside? Either way put soap water on the stem itself where it meets the wheel. If it were me and I wuz gonna R & R the valve core I'd have my Phatt Ghurl on the lift Just in case!. Course I'm runnin a dark side rear anywho. Cain't remember the brand but the metal valve stems I use tighten from the outside. And-B T W-valve cores are relatively inexpensive. RIDE SAFE.

[Jess from VA]

With the cap off, are you getting soapy bubbles from the valve stem?  This can be tested with more air pressure than normal.

It's not impossible to have a rim leak (even without rim damage).

Not that changing out the shrader valve anyway isn't a good idea.

[Tfrank59]

my valves tighten from the outside (can't remember the brand, but it's the one recommended on this forum).  I'll get her up on the lift and try the soapy water thing around the valve, even before attempting to replace the core.  Thanks!

[The emperor has no clothes]

It's entirely possible that it's the schrader valve. I'd but the odds are better that it's a dirty bead seat. It's amazing how much rubber and gunk get stuck on there.

[old2soon]

It's entirely possible that it's the schrader valve. I'd but the odds are better that it's a dirty bead seat. It's amazing how much rubber and gunk get stuck on there.

That's the WHY of a Good tire tech and a good stiff brush checking for and eliminating the gunchy crud-tech term-that accumulates in the rim bead.  RIDE SAFE.

[Toledo Mark]

Do you have balancing beads in The Tire?

[Tfrank59]

No sir, no beads inside

[Ramie]

I had to replace my rear tire last year.  I was loosing a small amount of pressure each week.  Thought it might be a bad valve but when I pulled the rear wheel and set up a tank in a re-enforced cardboard box lined with plastic.  I discovered the tire (an Avon cobra) had small pinhole leaks in the tread.

[Gryphon Rider]

I had to replace my rear tire last year.  I was loosing a small amount of pressure each week.  Thought it might be a bad valve but when I pulled the rear wheel and set up a tank in a re-enforced cardboard box lined with plastic.  I discovered the tire (an Avon cobra) had small pinhole leaks in the tread.

That sounds like a lot of work to find a leak.  A spray bottle with soapy water (dish soap) is far easier; spray an area, looking for growing bubbles, then roll the bike forward and spray the next section, repeating until you've done the whole tire and found the leak(s).

[John Schmidt]

Remember....replacing the valve CORE is merely a case of removing the insides of the stem, often with the valve cap itself. It doesn't involve breaking the bead because you're not doing anything to the stem or tire. If you're replacing the valve STEM, then yes....you have to break the bead because it involves being able to get at the stem from the inside. Check for leaks with soapy water as suggested, or just do as I do....spit on it and if leaking you still get bubbles. No need to hock a big lugy, just a dab of saliva is sufficient.  

[hubcapsc]

I had to replace my rear tire last year.  I was loosing a small amount of pressure each week.  Thought it might be a bad valve but when I pulled the rear wheel and set up a tank in a re-enforced cardboard box lined with plastic.  I discovered the tire (an Avon cobra) had small pinhole leaks in the tread.

That sounds like a lot of work to find a leak.  A spray bottle with soapy water (dish soap) is far easier; spray an area, looking for growing bubbles, then roll the bike forward and spray the next section, repeating until you've done the whole tire and found the leak(s).

I spent a long time (numerous tedious revolutions) finding one AVON pinhole
leak using a spray bottle of soapy water once. I had just installed the tire and
didn't relish the thought of pulling it off. When I found the leak and saw that it was
in the tread, that's when I finally decided to try Ride On for the first time. The Ride-On people
don't really mean for you to put Ride-On in after you get a leak, but I figured it couldn't
hurt to try it on this pinhole leak. I wore that tire out with no further leakage.

-Mike

[Tfrank59]

Well I got down there and noticed that the nut that holds the valve was barely snug so I got a 15 millimeter wrench and snugged it up, also the front tire valve stem, so I'll keep you posted, but I think that fixed the problem.  I'm sure those can be over tightened and start leaking from that but like I said this was just like hand tight and after about 2 or 3 years it needed to be re snugged

[Gryphon Rider]

I had to replace my rear tire last year.  I was loosing a small amount of pressure each week.  Thought it might be a bad valve but when I pulled the rear wheel and set up a tank in a re-enforced cardboard box lined with plastic.  I discovered the tire (an Avon cobra) had small pinhole leaks in the tread.

That sounds like a lot of work to find a leak.  A spray bottle with soapy water (dish soap) is far easier; spray an area, looking for growing bubbles, then roll the bike forward and spray the next section, repeating until you've done the whole tire and found the leak(s).

I spent a long time (numerous tedious revolutions) finding one AVON pinhole
leak using a spray bottle of soapy water once. I had just installed the tire and
didn't relish the thought of pulling it off. When I found the leak and saw that it was
in the tread, that's when I finally decided to try Ride On for the first time. The Ride-On people
don't really mean for you to put Ride-On in after you get a leak, but I figured it couldn't
hurt to try it on this pinhole leak. I wore that tire out with no further leakage.

-Mike

Okay, I should have added that when looking for bubbles, use reading glasses.  

[Ramie]

Remember....replacing the valve CORE is merely a case of removing the insides of the stem, often with the valve cap itself. It doesn't involve breaking the bead because you're not doing anything to the stem or tire. If you're replacing the valve STEM, then yes....you have to break the bead because it involves being able to get at the stem from the inside. Check for leaks with soapy water as suggested, or just do as I do....spit on it and if leaking you still get bubbles. No need to hock a big lugy, just a dab of saliva is sufficient.  

It was a lot of extra work but I tried a number of times to check the valve stem and found no leak, so I pulled the rear wheel.  Wanted to check rear end anyway.