Toyota Yaris Verso - Tyre Valve Issues

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Tue 23 Aug 2016 17:56
Toyota Yaris Verso - Tyre Valve Issues - Slipstream

A trusted garage fitted a new tyre [Continental ContiEco Contact 3, 175/65 x R14, 82T] just 2000 miles ago. There have been three separate instances of gradual air loss since then. Three fitters [different individuals on each occasion, one at another trusted garage] identified the problem as being leakage of air from the base of the valve itself, i.e. at the junction with the wheel. New valves were fitted each time. The steel wheel / rim is in good condition, with no visible signs of damage or deterioration that would affect seating of the tyre. The locking valve cap shows no indication of being tampered with.

Are you able to assist, please? Could vandalism be a possibility?

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Tue 23 Aug 2016 18:58
Toyota Yaris Verso - Tyre Valve Issues - RobJP

A vandal that consistently targets the same wheel on a car ? Unlikely.

If the valve has been repeatedly changed, and the problem persists anyway, then the problem was not with the valve.

So that leaves either the tyre, or the wheel. The tyre would be far easier to find a gradual leak on. If it is the wheel that is damaged, then it might need the stresses of driving to actually leak, not doing anything if just sitting in a waterbath.

You say that the pressure loss is 'gradual', but don't give any specifics. 1 psi per week ? 1 psi per day ?

Edited by RobJP on 23/08/2016 at 18:58

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Wed 24 Aug 2016 07:13
Toyota Yaris Verso - Tyre Valve Issues - madf

Fitters normally wire brush the wheels to remove dirt/corrosion.

Sounds like it needs to be done properly.

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Wed 24 Aug 2016 08:11
Toyota Yaris Verso - Tyre Valve Issues - jc2

Had a problem on a steel wheel-it was in the weld where the metal joins.When new,the paint sealed it.Took a long soak in water to find it-it was tiny.

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Wed 24 Aug 2016 19:44
Toyota Yaris Verso - Tyre Valve Issues - Slipstream

Thank you for the swift response to my post. After a new valve is fitted, all goes well for a week or two, then the tyre begins to lose 2-3 psi per day. Although the [steel] wheel shows no visual defect, your point regarding the actual process of driving affecting the airtight integrity of the wheel itself is a very good one.

I observed the leak itself whilst the wheel/tyre was in the garage waterbath. Loss of air appeared all around the circumference of the valve base.

Like you, I think it highly unlikely that so many valves could be defective.

Any further assistance would be appreciated, please.

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Wed 24 Aug 2016 20:21
Toyota Yaris Verso - Tyre Valve Issues - Perfection

Goto another tyre fitter and ask to replace the valve. I suspect the current one you using is using cheap defective batch of valves.

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