Community Forums

Solask · 06-27-2012, 10:36 AM

As I was doing a routine tire pressure check at camp, my inside rear tire was reading only 20 psi...It has a braided style extender..The tire did not need air and it was obvious it had far more than 20psi. Is this typical of these valve extenders to read faulty?

homerbw · 06-27-2012, 01:50 PM

Not usually. I would ask them to replace the sensor.

Sky_Boss · 06-27-2012, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rkh

As I was doing a routine tire pressure check at camp, my inside rear tire was reading only 20 psi...It has a braided style extender..The tire did not need air and it was obvious it had far more than 20psi. Is this typical of these valve extenders to read faulty?

You don't mention whether or not this is with a TPMS or not.

If you don't have a TPMS, then make sure you have your extenders properly seated. This was something I ran into.

If you have a TPMS double check the seating first and then try a different sensor to see if that is replicated. If you get the same reading, then it is probably specific to your valve extender set up. There is some recent discussion on the TST TPMS thread where it says it could be possible that your valve core stem is too deep to activate the sensor properly. If that is the case, backing off the core a turn might fix your problem. I suppose that theory could be true for your valve stem too.

BTW...I went through a similar situation adding extenders and I SWORE my tire wasn't flat....I WAS WRONG! LOL I hadn't seated my extender properly.

Dunner · 06-27-2012, 02:59 PM

homerbw, who's "them" and what "sensor" are you typing about that he didn't even mention having?

Solask · 06-27-2012, 04:29 PM

No TPMS...I was checking with a quality truck tire gauge. All other tires were fine accept this one.

Sky_Boss · 06-27-2012, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rkh

No TPMS...I was checking with a quality truck tire gauge. All other tires were fine accept this one.

Are you SURE it hasn't lost air? Did you thump it with a tire billy and hear any differences? I was sure my tire wasn't lacking air until I thumped it.

Solask · 06-27-2012, 06:46 PM

Yes, I thumped the hell out of it...No difference. I haven't moved the coach yet. I will be buying a compressor first to see if it really needs air. I don't trust my thumps but I would bet my pitiful retirement check that it is full.

Dunner · 06-27-2012, 06:52 PM

The only time a tire is full, is right before it blows up. Have you tested that yet?

Solask · 06-27-2012, 07:05 PM

Dunner..... HUH?

Dunner · 06-27-2012, 07:18 PM

You said:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rkh

I don't trust my thumps but I would bet my pitiful retirement check that it is full.

Craig_R · 06-27-2012, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rkh

Yes, I thumped the hell out of it...No difference. I haven't moved the coach yet. I will be buying a compressor first to see if it really needs air. I don't trust my thumps but I would bet my pitiful retirement check that it is full.

I wouldn't be to quick to bet that retirement check. I'd disconnect that braided extension and take another reading with that quality truck tire gauge. 20 pounds of air in a truck/bus tire is considered flat and only someone who is experienced in thumping a tire would be able to actually discern the difference between 20 pounds and 120 pounds pressure without a gauge.

Just my 2 cents...

Dunner · 06-27-2012, 07:31 PM

Michelin considers 20 pounds under recommended tire pressure as "Run Flat". They use that term to deny claims for manufacturer defects.

Hikerdogs · 06-28-2012, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rkh

As I was doing a routine tire pressure check at camp, my inside rear tire was reading only 20 psi...It has a braided style extender..The tire did not need air and it was obvious it had far more than 20psi. Is this typical of these valve extenders to read faulty?

We had a similar problem with braided extenders a few years ago. It turned out the ones we had (don't know the brand, they came with the coach) had a little o ring gasket where it screwed onto the valve stem. When they were installed the o ring on one didn't slip over the threads on the stem. It just lodged between the extender and the stem preventing the core in the extender from fully depressing the core in the valve stem. I removed the extender, put a dab of dish soap on the o ring and reinstalled the extender. It slipped right over the valve stem and the pressure readings were correct.

If this is your problem and lubrication is required don't use a petroleum based lubricant on the o ring. Over time it'll deteriorate the o ring and cause it to leak.

Solask · 06-29-2012, 07:45 PM

OK, I really need some help understanding how these extended valve stems work. As I originally posted, I believe my tire has air by using the thump test. Tire Gauge reads zero. I unscrewed the valve body and pulled it out. I was surprised to find it is attached to a 5 inch long flex rod. No air came out of the tire. I re-installed the valve body and when depressing the pressure release needle, no air comes out...I had attached a compressor and ran this tire up and I'm now afraid its over inflated..What am I missing here? This braided valve stem appears to connect directly to the inner wheel rim, not screwed onto an existing valve stemmm