Tire pressure wierdness... what the hell?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,806
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From: Milky Way, Earth
Tire pressure wierdness... what the hell?
When I got the rims on (6 days ago) they said they put 40PSI in the tires. Tonight I decided to put in 44PSI for added rim bending protection and handling improvement... plus I don't want to run on the sidewalls if I take some hardcore turns! 
Upon checking all the pressures with aMonkeyGrip digital pressure gauge, the highest is 38PSI (driver side rear) and the lowest is 35PSI (passenger side front).
On the passenger side of the car, as soon as I take off the cap on the valve stem it starts spewing air slowly. Front and rear on the passenger side. Took off the driver side (front and rear) valve caps and no air leaks. I fiddled with the leaking valves but could not get them to stop leaking. Is this normal!?
After putting on the valve cap the leaking ceases.
I put in 44PSI and drove about 2 miles home. So I'm thinking its cold out and driving a little way will warm up the rubber and probably the tires should be a little above 44PSI. All the tires were 43PSI except the front passenger, which was 42.5 (probably lost 0.5 just from taking the cap off!). WTF? Should the readings (granted I only have taken 2 readings so far, but still) be so erratic?
I'm going to keep on eye on the pressures for a while. I do realize temperature plays a large role. How much fluctuation should I expect? How near in cold weather is 44PSI going to get to the max for my tires (51PSI) in warm weather during hard use?
What do you guys recommend I put in my tires? Do I need to get the passenger side valves atleast looked at or replaced?
------------------
Nate's ride 2001 Silver TL (non-navi), 19x8.0 +47 Alstadt IVs w/ Yokohama AVS Sport 235/35ZR19, SuperCrystal lug nuts, Inspire wood steering wheel & tails, 2 burlwood dash kits & shift knob, TL-S AC trim, Alumapro BP-10 sub & ZX400TI Phoenix Gold amp, Python 1500 ESP (remote start, all windows up & down, sunroof closes, prox, etc), blue alarm LEDs, factory spoiler & body kit, Mugen grill, black chrome emblems, Solaris 9005 high beams, AEM short ram intake, Comptech sways, springs & exhaust, Apex'i V-AFC.
Tomorrow: custom V-AFC install
Arriving April 30th: crossdrilled rotors, Metal Master brake pads
Ordered yesterday: Comptech headers, iridium spark plugs
------------------
"Deadly to the eyes, worth seeing."
Upon checking all the pressures with aMonkeyGrip digital pressure gauge, the highest is 38PSI (driver side rear) and the lowest is 35PSI (passenger side front).
On the passenger side of the car, as soon as I take off the cap on the valve stem it starts spewing air slowly. Front and rear on the passenger side. Took off the driver side (front and rear) valve caps and no air leaks. I fiddled with the leaking valves but could not get them to stop leaking. Is this normal!?
After putting on the valve cap the leaking ceases.I put in 44PSI and drove about 2 miles home. So I'm thinking its cold out and driving a little way will warm up the rubber and probably the tires should be a little above 44PSI. All the tires were 43PSI except the front passenger, which was 42.5 (probably lost 0.5 just from taking the cap off!
). WTF? Should the readings (granted I only have taken 2 readings so far, but still) be so erratic?I'm going to keep on eye on the pressures for a while. I do realize temperature plays a large role. How much fluctuation should I expect? How near in cold weather is 44PSI going to get to the max for my tires (51PSI) in warm weather during hard use?
What do you guys recommend I put in my tires? Do I need to get the passenger side valves atleast looked at or replaced?
------------------
Nate's ride 2001 Silver TL (non-navi), 19x8.0 +47 Alstadt IVs w/ Yokohama AVS Sport 235/35ZR19, SuperCrystal lug nuts, Inspire wood steering wheel & tails, 2 burlwood dash kits & shift knob, TL-S AC trim, Alumapro BP-10 sub & ZX400TI Phoenix Gold amp, Python 1500 ESP (remote start, all windows up & down, sunroof closes, prox, etc), blue alarm LEDs, factory spoiler & body kit, Mugen grill, black chrome emblems, Solaris 9005 high beams, AEM short ram intake, Comptech sways, springs & exhaust, Apex'i V-AFC.
Tomorrow: custom V-AFC install
Arriving April 30th: crossdrilled rotors, Metal Master brake pads
Ordered yesterday: Comptech headers, iridium spark plugs
------------------
"Deadly to the eyes, worth seeing."
Moderator Alumnus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,133
Likes: 1
From: Honolulu, Hawaii
When you take the valve stem cap off, you shouldn't hear air coming out. You may have a defective valve. One thing you can do is to make sure the valve is screwed in securely. They have a special tool just for this valve (cheap stuff). Check that first. Otherwise you may need to change the entire valve stem...
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 27,921
Likes: 1,080
From: where the weather suits my clothes
Nate,
One thing you might try before having someone replace the entire valve stem, and possibly damage those beautiful rims, is this:
1) Go to any auto parts store and buy a valve stem, they usually come in sets of 4.
Buy the valve stem removal tool, the valve stem is the metal thingy in the middle that you can press down to release air from the tire.
2) Jack up you car and let all the air of of the tire in question.
3) Remove the old valve stem and put in the new one.
4) Refill with air and check.
If that doesn't work, you'll have to get the entire stem replaced.
This should only cost you a few bucks and you can do it yourself.
Hope this helps,
Neil
One thing you might try before having someone replace the entire valve stem, and possibly damage those beautiful rims, is this:
1) Go to any auto parts store and buy a valve stem, they usually come in sets of 4.
Buy the valve stem removal tool, the valve stem is the metal thingy in the middle that you can press down to release air from the tire.
2) Jack up you car and let all the air of of the tire in question.
3) Remove the old valve stem and put in the new one.
4) Refill with air and check.
If that doesn't work, you'll have to get the entire stem replaced.
This should only cost you a few bucks and you can do it yourself.
Hope this helps,
Neil
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,806
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From: Milky Way, Earth
Well I took it to the tire place and they used a screwdrvier type thing to tighten the valve cores and everythign is fine. 
Good thing too because the valve stems are a special "L" shape and would be a pain to find some like 'em in chrome.
They said running high pressure (like 44PSI) would make the center of the tire wear out faster. I had them put it to 41 and I think it'll be fine.
Good thing too because the valve stems are a special "L" shape and would be a pain to find some like 'em in chrome.They said running high pressure (like 44PSI) would make the center of the tire wear out faster. I had them put it to 41 and I think it'll be fine.
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