Slow leak troubleshooting steps?

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 01, 2010 2:46 pm

Over inflate(about 40psi is plenty),spray with soapy water,better to have the wheel off while doing this.

Common area's are the TPMS seals and wheel beads.

dgeist · **Posted:** Fri Jan 01, 2010 2:49 pm

I recently had my TPMS (tire pressure mon) replaced on one wheel due to physical damage on the stem from an off-road encounter. After the local shop replaced it, I've noticed a slow leak (5 PSI over the course of a week). I don't know if there was a leak there before the sensor was replaced, but I don't remember noticing a drop on the EVIC previously. The question is: What's the most likely place to find a minor leak like this and identify it? Here's what I'm thinking:

1) check for obvious treat damage or other punctures
2) support the wheel and remove/check the valve stem and clean/reseat
3) inflate to a little over normal pressure and smear soapy solution around the bead and valve (I was thinking 50/50 water murphy's oil soap)

Any additional things to help find this leak? I assume it's going to be a needle in a haystack, but there may be obvious things that ya'll know and I don't. Normally my leaks are bad and I can identify them by the sounds of gushing air... :wink:

Dan

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 02, 2010 2:54 pm

usually the typical slight overinflation and the spray bottle of water and dawn/downy/victoria's secret handsoap (i got chewed out for that one!) works good to find the leak, there's been a few that I've had to take off and throw in the kiddie pool to find but those were all on tires over 38 inches where the task of finding a crown molding nail stuffed between the lugs at an angle can take all day

of course don't forget that leak may be hiding behind your stem caps, cores are cheep and quick to replace too

dgeist · **Posted:** Mon Jan 04, 2010 2:32 pm

Thanks. I hope it's either a core. For now, I have to wait for the weather to warm up a bit so the soap solution doesn't freeze to the tire in the driveway. I'm not going to be a happy camper if they didn't seal my TPM module properly and that's the problem...

Dan

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Mon Jan 04, 2010 2:56 pm

dgeist wrote:

Thanks. I hope it's either a core. For now, I have to wait for the weather to warm up a bit so the soap solution doesn't freeze to the tire in the driveway. I'm not going to be a happy camper if they didn't seal my TPM module properly and that's the problem...

Dan

Since you didn't notice a drop in pressure untill they changed the tpm I'm thinking it's the source of your leak. First look in the FSM (Factory Service Manual) for the torque setting on the TPM. As I remember it's around 20 inch pounds and that's not much but remember they are some sort of plastic :shock:

The sensors have rubber seals inside and out and a collar on the outside that tightens down. From personal experience DO NOT use a metal cap, only the plastic type they come with.

hrogi · **Posted:** Mon Jan 04, 2010 8:05 pm

Could the Rim be cracked ?

I love the Dunk tank.
Over filled with air or not it will show a leak, if it is there.

But some leaks can only show when the car is moving.

Depending on the shop, they might be more hlepful than you think.
You may want to ask them to look for it.
if you are cool about it things go better.
Even if it was there fualt, let them find out and fix it.

HoosierJeeper · **Joined:** Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:23 am **Posts:** 1218

I had a slow leak (5 pounds over 2 weeks) that turned into 5 pounds in 2 days....the tire shop was able to fix it well, no TPMS issues. It's been 3 months.

Slow leak troubleshooting steps?

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