Very slow pressure drop on front offside tyre

[DDJC]

We have always noticed that our front driver side tyre needed a bit more air than the other three. For instance, if I put in 60 psi into both front tyres, then in about a month, the nearside would be 59 and the driver side around 48-52.

So I was really eager to get my upgrade from 215 R15 70 Michelins to 225 R15 70 Bridgestone.

But driving it around yesterday, the Tyrepal meter was reading that the near side was 60 psi (correct) and the driver side was down to 51 psi. The problem hasn't gone away. Is it the wheel damaged in some way, or just an incredible coincidence?!

I have a full sized, matching alloy spare wheel, so can swap. The pain of it is that the spare still has on a 215 R15 70 Michelin. It was unused, so I kept it on as an emergency.

What do you think?

 

[Newfie]

Replace The rubber seal in the tyrepal sensor

 

[MichaelT]

We have always noticed that our front driver side tyre needed a bit more air than the other three. For instance, if I put in 60 psi into both front tyres, then in about a month, the nearside would be 59 and the driver side around 48-52.

So I was really eager to get my upgrade from 215 R15 70 Michelins to 225 R15 70 Bridgestone.

But driving it around yesterday, the Tyrepal meter was reading that the near side was 60 psi (correct) and the driver side was down to 51 psi. The problem hasn't gone away. Is it the wheel damaged in some way, or just an incredible coincidence?!

I have a full sized, matching alloy spare wheel, so can swap. The pain of it is that the spare still has on a 215 R15 70 Michelin. It was unused, so I kept it on as an emergency.

What do you think?

Maybe a leaky valve or slow puncture somewhere so best take it in to get looked at.

 

[Gingernuts]

How old is the van? Leaky alloy? Leaky tyrepal seal?
Take the wheel off and dunk it in a paddling pool or baby bath that will give you a good idea where the leak is or drop the wheel off at a competent tyre fitter to investigate

 

[AlunandFelicie]

I had to have both valves on the rear replaced recently for the same problem.

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[Lenny HB]

I had a similar problem it was the metal tyre valve leaking where it seals to the rim. I was able to tighten it as you can tighten them without taking the tyre off.

Could also be the O ring seal on the back of the valve that would mean replacing the valve.

Another possibility is corrosion where the tyre seals to the alloy wheel, if minor can be cured with a sealant tyre fitters use.

 

[Carpmart]

it’s one of the following:

Porous alloy
Damaged lip on wheel
Poor tyre fitting, not cleaned wheel rim/lip/bead
Bad valve
TPMS sensor leaking air from seal

 

[Peterd82]

Maybe remove the tyrepal sensor on that wheel and inflate to 60psi, leave it for 24 hours if you don’t want to drive it and then check the pressure again. That might isolate the tyrepal sensor as the cause of the problem. Alloy wheels are notorious for going porous.

 

[oldiesontour]

If all else fails have a tube fitted.

 

[Pausim]

I had a similar problem it was the metal tyre valve leaking where it seals to the rim. I was able to tighten it as you can tighten them without taking the tyre off.

Could also be the O ring seal on the back of the valve that would mean replacing the valve.

Another possibility is corrosion where the tyre seals to the alloy wheel, if minor can be cured with a sealant tyre fitters use.

I also had a very slow leak from one metal tyre valve. Revealed by a little bit of bubbling when sprayed. Not uncommon according to the tyre fitter.

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[Richard n Ann]

Alloys look good but eventually corrode round the rim where the tyre seals onto, also round the valve hole causing slow leaks. I had no end of trouble with a car I had, refurbishment stopped it for a couple of years but I ended up replacing the wheels with steel..

The car has been parked up since covid and the tyres are still inflated

 

[DDJC]

Thanks everyone.

Couple of answers.

The van was bought new on a 68 plate, so 5 years old.
Can't be the working of the Tyrepal sensors because I have checked the pressure using a gauge.
The valves were all replaced with new metals ones when I had the new tyres fitted. Too much of a coincidence that the same wheel has had two bad valves fitted.
As I said, it can't be a slow puncture on the tyre, or the valve O rings, as they are new. Too much of a coincidence.

Leaving me with:
Porous alloy. What can you do with that?! Is it fixable?
Damaged lip on the alloy, or corrosion. Can't see any damage, but definitely possible.
Tyrepal sensor seals.

Due to the miniscule air loss, I am leaning towards the 'o' rings on the Tyrepal sensor. Easy to replace and easy to check.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

[DDJC]

Thanks everyone.

Couple of answers.

The van was bought new on a 68 plate, so 5 years old.
Can't be the working of the Tyrepal sensors because I have checked the pressure using a gauge.
The valves were all replaced with new metals ones when I had the new tyres fitted. Too much of a coincidence that the same wheel has had two bad valves fitted.
As I said, it can't be a slow puncture on the tyre, or the valve O rings, as they are new. Too much of a coincidence.

Leaving me with:
Porous alloy. What can you do with that?! Is it fixable?
Damaged lip on the alloy, or corrosion. Can't see any damage, but definitely possible.
Tyrepal sensor seals.

Due to the miniscule air loss, I am leaning towards the 'o' rings on the Tyrepal sensor. Easy to replace and easy to check.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Actually, no, I'm wrong. I first noticed the issue three years ago, before I put the Tyrepal sensors on. So the only constant, is the wheel itself.

 

[denisejoe]

The only way to tell would be to have the wheel dipped to find the leak

 

[Pausim]

The only way to tell would be to have the wheel dipped to find the leak

The tyre fitter that looked for my slow leak started with checking the metal valve seating and saved the bother of taking the wheel off.

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[oldiesontour]

Tube fitted covers all except sensor leak

 

[Jev88]

RV had random slow air loss at rear.
All four valves were leaking depending on whether they parked top or bottom. Wife's car had leaking rims due to being parked up and moisture and dirt builds up. All sorted easily but obviously wheels off.

 

[Bobby dazzler]

I had a similar problem on a car alloy it was corrosion on the rim. The tyre fitter removed as much corrosion as he could and it's been fine since.

 

[David and Sally]

Had the same on a car tyre. Had the valve taken out and the valve seating area cleaned up and polished. All good now.

 

[Bartyfixedit]

Swap the tyrepal sensors from one side to the other and don't forget that you've done it. If the problem moves with the sensor you know where the fault lies.
I have one of my tyrepal sensors that has a very slow leak. I take it off when the van is standing and put a dust cap on.

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[The Wino]

Tube fitted covers all except sensor leak

Do they still do that? I had a slow leak on a mini alloy wheel and suggested to the fitter that a tube could be fitted he said that wasn't allowed anymore

 

[oldiesontour]

Do they still do that? I had a slow leak on a mini alloy wheel and suggested to the fitter that a tube could be fitted he said that wasn't allowed anymore

You may or may not be right could be law change or tyre company preferences.I change my own and always have tubes have been used without problem for many years on everything from wheel barrows to heavy haulage so for me I will continue to use when appropriate,perhaps Mr Google will tell state of law

 

[oldiesontour]

You may or may not be right could be law change or tyre company preferences.I change my own and always have tubes have been used without problem for many years on everything from wheel barrows to heavy haulage so for me I will continue to use when appropriate,perhaps Mr Google will tell state of law

Just looked it up...still perfectly legal.
But safety aspect could be used to inflate a critically damaged tyre so most company policy don't use at all...cover rear end in our sue culture society!!!

 

[tacr2man]

Just looked it up...still perfectly legal.
But safety aspect could be used to inflate a critically damaged tyre so most company policy don't use at all...cover rear end in our sue culture society!!!

Just for information , if ever fitting tube to t/less tyre , make sure inspection labels are removed from inside cover , and buff the area where they were as the glue residue will perish the tube surprisingly quickly .