Slow Tire Leak

theviper

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My front passenger tire leaks about 10 psi every month since buying it brand new last. So essentially, it came from the dealer like that. No nails, holes, damage, etc that is visible. All the other tires are rock solid.

Is it appropriate to assume that the tire was not installed correctly from the factory? What are my options, short of replacing the tire? Any advice would be appreciated.
 

1994viper

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Sometimes Aluminum rims will leak air due to corrosion of the rim, or the air loss may ocur because of unproper seal of the rtire. Etherway, you shoul take it to a tire shop and reseal the tire and if needed polish the lip of the rim. ;)
 

uvbnbit

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Get a spray bottle. Put some liquid soap in it. Gently spray around the tread area. If you see area with bubbles "growing", there's your leak. If not, then spray around the valve stem, then the bead area. You'll find it.
Chip
 
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theviper

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Sometimes Aluminum rims will leak air due to corrosion of the rim, or the air loss may ocur because of unproper seal of the rtire. Etherway, you shoul take it to a tire shop and reseal the tire and if needed polish the lip of the rim. ;)

The car is/was brand new when purchased last year. I don't think it's corrosion. But resealing my be an option.
 
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theviper

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Get a spray bottle. Put some liquid soap in it. Gently spray around the tread area. If you see area with bubbles "growing", there's your leak. If not, then spray around the valve stem, then the bead area. You'll find it.
Chip

I'll try that...I knew about that trick but didn't think of it. That's why we have forums!
 

uvbnbit

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I'll try that...I knew about that trick but didn't think of it. That's why we have forums!

It might be easier to do with wheel off the car. I had a slow bead leak (1 lb/week) I couldn't see where it was leaking until 15 mins. later. It was obvious. Broke the bead, cleaned bead seat, re-seated, filled with air, no problems since :2tu:
 
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theviper

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It might be easier to do with wheel off the car. I had a slow bead leak (1 lb/week) I couldn't see where it was leaking until 15 mins. later. It was obvious. Broke the bead, cleaned bead seat, re-seated, filled with air, no problems since :2tu:

I am planning on doing it with the car on a lift. The leak has been annoying!
 

Bolt

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That was happening to me and I could not believe what I found. The air was leaking around the base of the valve stem. Apparently the valve stem rubber got hard and the air was leaking all around it. Very slow leak. It took about 1 week to loose 5 pounds. I replaced the valve and it has not leaked since. I put a few drops of dish detergent in a shot glass of warm water and put that mixture around the stem and this is when I found my leak. It did not bubble as much as it foamed up.
 

TheMilkman

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Great post. I have the same issue with my right rear tire.

I usually wait for the "Low Air" light to come on and then add air to that one tire. I was waiting for the end of this month to order new tires, so I wasn't worried about the slow leak for now. If it does come back though, I'll check the stem. Plus, I will let the tire shop know about the slow leak so they can give it a little extra attention.

Oh, that reminds me to go order the new tires.
I have looked around for the best prices on a new set of tires and so far this deal with the $50 off at Discount Tire for the Nitto Invo's @ $1200 installed was the best deal I could find.
 

Kai SRT10

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I'd bet you that it is a valve stem leak. I'd look there first. You can get a valve stem leak from something as simple as overtightening the cap.
 
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theviper

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I tried the soapy water on the valve stem without bubbles. Haven't been able to do the entire tire yet. Hoping to get it on a lift in the next month or so and will try it then. If I take it to the dealer, I wonder if they can remount the tire completely. That's not a warranty item considering it was like this from the beginning, right?
 

bluesrt

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remounting the tire wont fix it- its either got a small hole unluckily from a parklot or the rubber seal from the tire moniter is leaking. or valve core
 

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