Beware of the faulty valve stem!

[Bison4runner]

With less than 60 miles on my brand new Cooper Discoverer AT3s, I got a flat on the highway. No punctures, no debris hit, just a flat. My TPMS light went off and immediately I could hear the rubber getting louder as I pulled over to the shoulder.

I have driven over 200K miles in different vehicles without a single flat so of course my judgement is not to buy the certificates from DT. Seemed like a waste of money with the tire already under warranty. When I took it in, the manager was very understanding and clearly noticed the flat was not something I could have prevented. He ordered a new one for me free of cost and had it shipped right away. Big kudos to DT.

This was something I was not familiar with though and the manager just said sometimes it happens. Has anyone else had this issue when it comes to a new set of valves on new tires?

 

[05Rrunner]

Beware of sloppy installation

 

[nvbirdman]

Just maybe that manager who did everything he could do to make things right was correct in saying this is not a perfect world and once in a blue moon things can go wrong.

 

[LandCruiser]

I'd be worried that the 16 year old stoner who mounted your tire was too busy texting his girlfriend to pay attention if he properly seated the valve.

 

[Drunner97]

I had the tpms replaced on one of my tires through Discount. They forgot one of the washers or o-rings or something so my valve stem was leaking. When I was driving to work I knew something didn't feel right, and by the time I came out for lunch my tire was completely flat.

 

[85straight]

The valve itself is pretty weak, I’m surprised more people don’t complain about them breaking. People installing the tires have to be very careful to not break it in the first place. Once on the road( or off-road) they are a serious weak point

Edit: for some reason I thought your stem was broken. So In this case they didn’t seat the seal correctly, should’ve replaced the seal and didn’t, or didn’t put the core back in correctly. Take your pick %100 their fault glad the manager took care of you though

 

[SodiumFlouride]

It's odd.

Normally a catastrophic flat is due to a pretty big hole, so I don't think the valve stem would do that unless it was visibly damaged (e.g., if you hit a curb or something like that).

You can see cracks in valve stems, when they leak real badly.

You won't see any small leak without dumping the wheel in water or slathering on dish detergent but this doesn't sound like the OP described a small leak.

If it's a catastrophic leak, and if there's nothing damaged (before driving on it flat anyway), then I find something odd about that.

But it sure sounds like a bead seal - but I've never seen one go suddenly like that.

 

[messeduprex]

i used to work for a Toyota dealership. we have had to replace hundreds of valve stems from bad tire installs. they are very fragile ad usually snap at the sensor base on install

 

[kolelt]

https://www.colbyvalve.com

Awesome product. A must have in your truck !

 

[carfac]

WHile this isn't definitive either, dust can cause a valve stem to leak.

Also, any teenage kids in the area? Someone with a valve stem remover can be playing with you.... any neighbors with similar problems?

 

[oljedi11950]

Recommend the little kit when replacing older wheels & tires ! Have never changed mine w/o having 5 sets in case of ^^ ! BYOB

 

[Bison4runner]

https://www.colbyvalve.com

Awesome product. A must have in your truck !

I was not familiar with these but I'll definitely be picking some up now. Excellent recommendation, thank you!

 

[PauldF]

Thanks

Great info on the Colby valves

 

[WanderlostOverland]

We've bought our last four sets from Discount Tire and have had only the very best of service, until recently. We just had our Ridge Grapplers mounted, on the way home the pressure light came on. We pulled over to look and nothing seemed to be low. It was below zero that day so we just assumed it had something to do with that. By the time we got home and in the garage a tire was almost completely flat. Turns out they didn't tighten the valve stems at all. In fact the worst one was almost completely unscrewed.
S--t happens, people make mistakes. We'll still get all our tire service done there.

 

[kolelt]

I was not familiar with these but I'll definitely be picking some up now. Excellent recommendation, thank you!

You’ll be thanking me. FIxed a bad valve on a trail in under 5 mins. I haven’t had the time to actually replace the stem with a regular one. As it should not be a permanent fix. But it’s AWESOME. I heard on Facebook that they have lifetime warranty. If the seal wears out. They will replace it.

 

[SodiumFlouride]

I wonder if the valve stem wasn't actually replaced, or if the Schrader valve wasn't tightened properly after seating the bead?