Unable to put air in front tyres

[edcase]

Before heading over to germany i checked my tyre pressures.

My rears were down to about 32 psi.

Tried checking my fronts, one side would not register at all, the other just haemorraghed air as soon as I connected the valve.

I went to a different service station, exactly the same problem.

Anyone experienced this? I take it I need new valves?

[tanoga]

I have had this problem. It is not a faulty valve that's causing the problem. Its the relationship between the depth of the hole in the nozzle of the air pump at the service station and the height from the top of the valve on the wheel and the nut that locks the valve into the wheel. eg If the depth of the hole in the nozzle is 10mm and the height from the wheel valve locking nut to the top of the valve is 6mm you with not be able to get a good seal. I ended up taking my car to a tyre fitting garage to get the pressure increased which even caused them a headache in so far as having to find a nozzle that would seal round the wheel valve without letting all the air out.

[SteveH]

I had the same a while ago... the guys on here recommended two things 1) get a spanner and tighten the one offending valve in question. 2) Buy a digital/electric pump from Halfords for about £30 as the electric pump that comes with the car uses a threaded fitting thats a pain in the ar**. Also if the valves are slightlycorroded you wont be able to screw the emergency pump on! (no good if you do get a flat and resort to the crazy foam kit), I claimed new valves last year under the corrosion warranty as its about £50 parts and an hours labour to have them all replaced.

[edcase]

Thanks guys.

Yeah this was using two different forecourt air machines. I was scared to try another as I was about to drive to Germany and worried any further air loss from the front right could compromise the balance of the car on the autobahn.

The weird thing is that both rears were fine, but both fronts were not, with one refusing to register at all!

I will try tightening the valves when I get back but can't imagine there being enough 'slack' to make a difference?

thanks
Ed

[bobjebb]

Had this with one of my tyres yesterday and presumed my valve was knackered. I used this stuff called brute strength and held the nozzle on hard enough to get the air in without leaking. I had to go from 32 to 44, couldn't feel my fingers at the end.

[edcase]

LOL

Trust me I tried that. However I am a 9 stone weakling

Ah well, it got me here anyway. Lets just hope it gets me home

[Tomson]

Same thing happened top me a while back - I found two options.

Firstly drive around until you find an 'old skool' service station with a nozzle with a clipy bit. I found one in town.

Or as bob says, hold the bugger on as hard as you can

[SimonS4MTM]

Buy a valve extension to screw onto the valve

[AntS4]

It's all rather coincidental as i checked my pressures on a proper "stick" pressure meter at the weekend and found 34psi all round. This must have been the pressure put in by the independent dealer as they were all the same. At the garage forecourt I had exactly the same problem as you Ed. I left it and went home. Fortunately I have one of those mini compressors that I had bought when I had a 911 that had a space saver spare and because it has a rubber seal that clips round whatever amount of valve casing that is prevalent I managed to get them all up to 44psi. This would be my suggestion. A few quid I know, but think of all the things you can now blow up and save on lung power!

I guess one thing though Ed... at 9 stone your car must be a fair bit quicker off the mark than us heavy weights

[david7m]

9 stone vs 15 stone, must be equal to about 50bhp

Dave

PS I'm not 15 stone, was just an elaboration for effect, i'm prob about 12 ....

[MountainMutant]

It's funny reading this as I had the same problem at the weekend.

I tried two different Esso garages and both just let air out.

Ended up pumping up the tyre with my bike track pump!

Phil

[shimmy]

why dont you all use the pump in the boot (trunk) which was bult for the job.

also never trust forecourt guages for pressure. they often are 20% out +/-

best to keep a guage in the glove box so at least you have constant readings errors and you know what works for you

[Jeeves]

why dont you all use the pump in the boot (trunk) which was bult for the job.

also never trust forecourt guages for pressure. they often are 20% out +/-

best to keep a guage in the glove box so at least you have constant readings errors and you know what works for you

Went through all the above on the way to a track day one morning. Realised that the pressure was in fact dropping as I tried to add air, so thought I'd use the compressor from the boot when I got to the track. Corroded valves on some old RS6 wheels meant that wouldn't screw on and only an old-fashioned foot pump saved the day.

The audi compressor is NOT rated to the same pressure as my RS6 tyre requires (although some might just reach this pressure if you're lucky). I even checked this with my local dealer who said that it would only allow you to limp to a garage to get top-up to a higher pressure.

Solution: A nice Michelin compressor from Halfords with a rechargeable digital pressure guage which is allergic to washing machines. And peace of mind.

[SteveH]

Yes, I can also reccomend a digital pressure gauge from Halfords, well worth just over a tenner (a few shelves along from the neons!)

[installer69]

I just send my wife down to the local tyre place and the guys there fall over themselves to put the air in at the correct pressure!