Tyre valve replacement.

[DJ.]

I've had slow loss of pressure from one of the tyres on my Seven for a few months. No sign of anything in the tyre and no history of hitting a bad pothole. I just kept topping it up with air.

However, since a trackday, I noticed one of the front tyres had lost 3 psi in a week. Once again no sign of anything stuck in the tyre.

I suspected the valves might be leaking so sprayed some leak finding solution onto them, and was surprised to see the air was leaking from where the rubber stem meets the wheel. They were OK when sitting there, but slight pressure on the stem caused bubbles to appear.

Anyway, I don't have much time before the road trip, and I can't really go with them as they are. I was looking on youtube and it appears that tyre valves can be swapped without removing the tyre using a kit like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Car-Tools-Equipment/Laser-5540-Tyre-Valve-Tool/B00BP7WFS2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494266707&sr=8-1&keywords=laser+tyre+valve+tool

So, has anyone used one of these? If so, was it easy or a nightmare? Or do you think I should forget trying it myself and get down to a tyre place?

[graham b]

Pop into Eastbourne tyre co.
Dave works there
Safer in the long run

[DJ.]

I didn't know he works there, I usually go them as I know the owners. The reason, I was looking is time is tight this weekend, and it looked fairly easy on youtube

[kenton]

Tyre fitters must start earlier than dentists? Drop it off and pick up next day.

[graham b]

Opens at 8 weekdays
And 8-30 Saturday.

[Fury1630]

The tyre valve is only really a grommet with a valve in, don't see why it shouldn't be replacable from the outside.

BUT

Is it the rubber that's leaking 'cos it's old & perished, or is it not seating properly 'cos the wheel's corroded? In which case changing the valve will probably make it worse.

[Martin S]

Hi duncan i used to work in the tyre industry many moons ago.....i would get it done at your local tyre dealer.....the problem in most cases is corrosion around the valve hole....get them cleaned and changed....martin

[DJ.]

Thanks guys, I'll be getting all four valves changed on Saturday. It's a pain, but better now than on the Road Trip