captainkirk86

Hey everyone, this is my first post, but I've gotten a good bit of helpful info from this site in the past (speaker rattles), so thanks for that!

Here's a quick run down of my problem:
My '07 TL 5AT is having a problem with an air leak in the front passenger side tire that is only there at high speed or as the tire heats up (I'm leaning toward the heat issue as it seems to leak faster the longer I drive on it).

I've had the car to 2 tire shops. The first told me it was a bad valve stem core and replaced it for me. The second could find no problems. Both placed put it in a dunk tank and could find no leaks. They also inspected the tire and wheel and could find no noticeable issues.

This past weekend I finally managed to make it to an Acura dealership (the closest to me is about 90 minutes from home, had to stop for air twice each way). They fixed some other little issues I was having, but once again could find no problems with my tire. They took the pressure up to 60PSI and tossed it in the dunk tank and had no bubbles. So they resealed and mounted the tire, hoping that my problem would be solved. Needless to say, it wasn't fixed.

When I bought the car 7 months ago, it had brand new tires from the dealer. They're MAXXIS Victra Z4S's on the stock 17" rim. The problem started in late September. If I'm only driving around town, the pressure is fine and will not drop. I went on vacation for a week and parked it and the pressure was exactly the same when I got back. I've used a regular tire gauge and it matches the TPMS nearly exactly (maybe a pound difference). The wheel in question does have a small scratch on the outside edge near the bead from a parallel parking mishap, but there is no noticeable deformation.

This has been a big inconvenience for me, as any long trips I have to make are hassles with stopping for air every 35-40 miles. I really appreciate any help or insight you may have!

nfnsquared

Well, any warranty you had on that tire is now void since the dealer exceeded max inflation pressure.

I don't know, seems like it could only be the tire somehow slipping/deforming on the rim during high speed driving. I'd try and mount it on another wheel if possible.

Also, not sure how I'd feel driving about driving at high speeds on a tire that has been inflated beyond max inflation pressure....

captainkirk86

Now there is a good point. I have to go back out this weekend for them to replace my Hands-Free Link module, so I will ask the service manager about that when he calls to schedule the appointment. Whether he was exaggerating or they really did take it to 60 PSI, that is discomforting. Thanks for the thought!

nfnsquared

Don't mention it to them/him before hand. Get them to restate the pressure, hopefully in front of the service manager and then bring it up. If you have a recorder and live in a "single party" state (look up "single party state recording"), you might want to record the statement.

captainkirk86

I'm going to take a look at the service report when I get home to see if it mentions the pressure they used. Thanks for the advice.

captainkirk86

The service report does indeed state that they inflated the tire to 60PSI for testing. The max pressure on the sidewall is 50PSI. Do you think that this should now be on Acura to fix no matter what?

nfnsquared

No, not the leak. It was there already...

But personally I'd be concerned about driving on a tire that had been inflated 20% beyond max inflation pressure. I'd do some research on that and maybe call the call a tire shop and ask the question...

captainkirk86

I figured I'd update this with the actual problem in case anyone else would run across it. The nut on the outside of the wheel around the valve stem was not tightened properly. Once the tire shop torqued it correctly my issue went away immediately. The stem would move slightly at speed and let air out. Such a simple fix, yet one that took 4 months, not to mention a 90 minute one-way trip to an Acura Dealer that did not find the problem.

stvtec

iTrader: (2)

Inside the wheel for the TPMS sensor?

captainkirk86

It is for the TPMS sensor, but it is on the outside of the wheel. The nut goes around the valve stem.

jda123

You need a 12MM deep well to tighten it up - wait, maybe it is 14. In any case, you need a deep. You take the cap off of the valve stem and you can get the socket on.

stvtec

iTrader: (2)

Very interesting, good info, and thanks for following up and updating the thread.