HELP!!! Valve Core Sticking, Tire won't hold air.

[Agontyr]

I have 2 out of 4 valve cores that stick open whenever I attempt to put air into the tires. Usually I can jiggle them with the point of a screw and get them to close, but one has gotten to the point where the tire usually goes flat before I can do it.

I've tried asking at the dealership parts desk, but whenever I say the words "valve core" they get that deer-in-the-headlights look. They've told me everything from $5 to $65 per tire to replace and they never have them in stock. Special orders must be pre-paid and I'd rather not pay for something that I'm not sure is right.

Has anyone else had this problem? Does anyone have access to a real part number?

[Beryl Octet]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Agontyr @ Dec 17 2006, 04:52 PM) [snapback]363482[/snapback]</div>

I have 2 out of 4 valve cores that stick open whenever I attempt to put air into the tires. Usually I can jiggle them with the point of a screw and get them to close, but one has gotten to the point where the tire usually goes flat before I can do it.

I've tried asking at the dealership parts desk, but whenever I say the words "valve core" they get that deer-in-the-headlights look. They've told me everything from $5 to $65 per tire to replace and they never have them in stock. Special orders must be pre-paid and I'd rather not pay for something that I'm not sure is right.

Has anyone else had this problem? Does anyone have access to a real part number?
[/b]

Yes, this happened to one of my other cars, not our Prius. Go to the nearest tire store and get a whole new stem (or two in your case) is what worked for me.

[FL Buckeye]

I haven't checked in my owners manual, but since the 2006 Prius takes a special tire valve because it houses the tire pressure sensing transmitter for the TPWS, I would have guessed that your warranty would cover this problem. I'd read up on your warranty and talk to the service manager at your dealership. If the valve stem takes a normal type valve core, they should be very cheap and obtainable.

Could your compressor be putting moisture into the tire, and it is causing the problem? If so, make sure you have a filter on your airline.

[theorist]

I always thought that valve stem cores were standardized. You'll find some cheap and readily available in the aisles of any auto parts store, together with an inexpensive tool for replacing the core. I believe that many tire shops routinely replace the valve stem cores each when they replace tires on cars without disposable valve stems (like the 2006+ Prius.) They usually charge $1 to $3 for this. If you confirm that standard valve stems won't work on your 2006 Prius, please let us know.

2 out of 4 failing in a year is bad. Be sure to use those valve caps on to keep dirt and moisture out.

[glenk]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(theorist @ Dec 18 2006, 01:56 PM) [snapback]363859[/snapback]</div>

I always thought that valve stem cores were standardized. You'll find some cheap and readily available in the aisles of any auto parts store, together with an inexpensive tool for replacing the core. I believe that many tire shops routinely replace the valve stem cores each when they replace tires on cars without disposable valve stems (like the 2006+ Prius.) They usually charge $1 to $3 for this. If you confirm that standard valve stems won't work on your 2006 Prius, please let us know.
[/b]

I had a flat OEM tire fixed with the TPMS sensor installed. The tire service pulled the valve core to deflate the tire and threw it away. The store that sold me the replacement Goodyear Integrity had me take the bare rim to another store that had the tires in stock. They simply installed a new valve core. I'm pretty sure that the TPMS uses a standard valve core.

[Charles Suitt]

<_< One more vote for... CAUTION

If you have the TPWS [Tire Pressure Warning System - Pages 150-154 in my 2007 Owner's Manual], be aware of potential problems when a tire is demounted for repair, or if you elect to replace the OEM tires. Among other items, if you elect to deal with a tire store other than your Toyota dealer there's a possibility they could damage the TPWS sensor on the inside of your wheel at the base of the valve stem. It has been posted in PriusChat that a tire store damaged a sensor and ordered and installed a replacement but then the owner needed to go to a Toyota dealer to "register" the new sensor with the Prius' computer.

The same caution applies to replacing the stock OEM wheels.

[theorist]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Charles Suitt @ Dec 18 2006, 03:56 PM) [snapback]363910[/snapback]</div>

Among other items, if you elect to deal with a tire store other than your Toyota dealer there's a possibility they could damage the TPWS sensor on the inside of your wheel at the base of the valve stem. [/b]

Bad things can happen, anywhere. Last week I saw a friend at the side of the road, having his wife's 4 year old Camry towed. Apparently the engine seized. After towing it to the neighborhood Toyota dealer (Lexington Toyota) he received a call from Watertown Toyota where he bought the car and has always had it serviced. Apparently they somehow messed up the oil change that they had done 15 miles earlier. When the car seized there was no oil in the car.

Toyota immediately offered to replace the engine. My friend said how fortunate he was that he had always taken it to the dealership so that they took responsibility right away. I joked that he would have also been fortunate if he had his car serviced at a shop where they can perform oil changes without such serious mistakes.

[koa]

Did you try a drop of WD40 or something similar (I use Corrosion Block) on the stem before putting air in? I have had this problem on my boat trailer tires and this usually works. I would think it's alright to do with the TPWS but not sure.

[narf]

You should be able to just screw in a new core to the valve stem. You can buy them at any auto parts store for a buck or 2, and the "tool" is just as cheap. Just be sure to be near a source of air when you do it.

[jayman]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Agontyr @ Dec 17 2006, 04:52 PM) [snapback]363482[/snapback]</div>

I've tried asking at the dealership parts desk, but whenever I say the words "valve core" they get that deer-in-the-headlights look.[/b]

Geez. Never go back to that dealer. Ever!

Pretty easy to find tire valve core kits at Canadian Tire, so I imagine NAPA should have them too. The best "tool" I've seen is the metal tire stem cap that has the little tool built right into the end. I always keep one in every vehicle I drive, they're cheap too.

I've had several go bad on me over the years, just quickly unscrewed the core and put the new one in, then put air back into the tire. Do this with the tire jacked up, or by the time you get air in you could have the tire unseat from the bead, then you're SOL.

I've also had valve cores just loosen up, which would be a great way to get a slow leak. The little "tool" makes it a cinch to check the tightness.

The air chuck might also be damaged, that could bend the little pintle assembly enough to cause a leak