Track issue, need advice if there is any?

slimjim2525 · 10-01-2020, 06:51 AM

So yesterday I tracked my car for the 6th time. Came off the first session and went to check my tire pressure and my left rear I noticed the valve stem was leaking air. It appeared to be coming from the base of the stem. I could wiggle it a little to get it to stop, but as soon as I let it go, it started to leak again. Have the original run flats on the car so I was able to limp it home. PSI was 16 when I got home, 38 when i came off the the track. Has anyone cut a valve stem, and any solutions, or just bad luck?

Alpha1BC · 10-01-2020, 07:56 AM

Do your TPMS sensors bolt into the rim or snap in? If they bolt in there should be a nut on the outside below the valve stem. That nut gets tightened to 80 in-lb (9 N-m) so can check to see if it's loose at all. If you've got the snap-in style ones (i.e. rubber base instead of metal), you'll likely need to take it to a tire shop to either get it re-seated or replaced if it's damaged.

I'd also be leery of that tire if it was driven at pressure that low on a runflat. They're designed to only drive 50 miles or so at low/no pressure, and any driving at low pressure will start to damage the internal sidewall construction which could be cause a tire failure sooner than expected, especially if you track the car. Might want to consider keeping the dealer in the loop because if the valve-stem just came unseated or was defective you might get it and a new tire covered under warranty.

TheRealJA105 · 10-01-2020, 09:34 AM

Not sure if your valve stem was rubber or not, but I won't track rubber valve stems anymore. I either melted one from brake heat or something just cut it during a session, but coming back in the pits and hearing it leaking was all i needed to switch to metal valve stems only.

Provoste · 10-01-2020, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimjim2525

So yesterday I tracked my car for the 6th time. Came off the first session and went to check my tire pressure and my left rear I noticed the valve stem was leaking air. It appeared to be coming from the base of the stem. I could wiggle it a little to get it to stop, but as soon as I let it go, it started to leak again. Have the original run flats on the car so I was able to limp it home. PSI was 16 when I got home, 38 when i came off the the track. Has anyone cut a valve stem, and any solutions, or just bad luck?

Yes I've had this happen, just bad luck. Metal valve stems are the way to go.

driven2exceSS · 10-01-2020, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimjim2525

So yesterday I tracked my car for the 6th time. Have the original run flats on the car so I was able to limp it home. PSI was 16 when I got home, 38 when i came off the the track

Glad you made it home! Unfortunate you were unable to return though... Was nice meeting you, and your parking lot neighbor in the ZLE. Curious on what you find with the stem/tpms nuts. Hope you do get them (TPMS/Tire) covered as "Alpha1BC" suggests.

Heartbreaker · 10-01-2020, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Provoste

Yes I've had this happen, just bad luck. Metal valve stems are the way to go.

+1

slimjim2525 · 10-01-2020, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by driven2exceSS

Glad you made it home! Unfortunate you were unable to return though... Was nice meeting you, and your parking lot neighbor in the ZLE. Curious on what you find with the stem/tpms nuts. Hope you do get them (TPMS/Tire) covered as "Alpha1BC" suggests.

Yeah, nice meeting you. You were hauling the mail for sure. I was like F, I got some work to do. HEHE!!!

slimjim2525 · 10-01-2020, 12:02 PM

Do metal valve stems come on TPMS, or you run without TPMS? These are backup rims, so I don't really care.

driven2exceSS · 10-01-2020, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimjim2525

Yeah, nice meeting you. You were hauling the mail for sure. I was like F, I got some work to do. HEHE!!!

Thanks, helps being a lil coocoo

But honestly I said to myself in turn-4, the beginning of that 1st session, how well you were pushing/managing the car on the OEM ROF's. Get some GY SC3's or 3R's on that...

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimjim2525

Do metal valve stems come on TPMS, or you run without TPMS? These are backup rims, so I don't really care.

I would think your OEM wheels came with metal stems/tpms (one unit). AFAIK the actual valves in the stem (rubber or metal) are the same regardless. That could of loosened too, not just the outer nut. I have TPMS on all my wheel set-ups. One set has a bad TPMS not reading on a rear wheel, so the set wont complete the re-programing process. Not the end of the world without dash readings, if you are disciplined at tire temps and manual pressure readings.

slimjim2525 · 10-01-2020, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by driven2exceSS

Thanks, helps being a lil coocoo

But honestly I said to myself in turn-4, the beginning of that 1st session, how well you were pushing/managing the car on the OEM ROF's. Get some GY SC3's or 3R's on that...

I would think your OEM wheels came with metal stems/tpms (one unit). AFAIK the actual valves in the stem (rubber or metal) are the same regardless. That could of loosened too, not just the outer nut. I have TPMS on all my wheel set-ups. One set has a bad TPMS not reading on a rear wheel, so the set wont complete the re-programing process. Not the end of the world without dash readings, if you are disciplined at tire temps and manual pressure readings.

I got black flagged because they said I passed without a signal. Pulled down pit lane and saw you in front of me, did you get the same? After that, you left and I get held up in pit lane til the track cleared and you were gone. These are aftermarket TPMS monitors, the OEM ones are in my DD wheels, I will check them out.

driven2exceSS · 10-01-2020, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimjim2525

I got black flagged because they said I passed without a signal. Pulled down pit lane and saw you in front of me, did you get the same? After that, you left and I get held up in pit lane til the track cleared and you were gone. These are aftermarket TPMS monitors, the OEM ones are in my DD wheels, I will check them out.

No I went "two off" out of turn-6 and self pitted. Apparently it wasn't reported because they had no clue why I came in

TrackClub · 10-01-2020, 07:01 PM

1+ on Provoste's recommendation, albeit i have not upgraded mine in 4 seasons. Maybe i should...
One thing that can lead to valve failure/slow leak is running without caps. Seen this cause several issues if/when crap gets inside. So, i always ensure i have mine on all the time. Cheers!

slimjim2525 · 10-03-2020, 07:18 AM

Checked it out. OEM stems are metal.

10-01-2020, 06:51 AM	#1
slimjim2525 Drives: 2019 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Connecticut Posts: 135	Track issue, need advice if there is any? So yesterday I tracked my car for the 6th time. Came off the first session and went to check my tire pressure and my left rear I noticed the valve stem was leaking air. It appeared to be coming from the base of the stem. I could wiggle it a little to get it to stop, but as soon as I let it go, it started to leak again. Have the original run flats on the car so I was able to limp it home. PSI was 16 when I got home, 38 when i came off the the track. Has anyone cut a valve stem, and any solutions, or just bad luck? __________________ 2019 Camaro 2SS, Shadow Grey

10-01-2020, 07:56 AM	#2
Alpha1BC Drives: 2017 1SS 1LE Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 1,001	Do your TPMS sensors bolt into the rim or snap in? If they bolt in there should be a nut on the outside below the valve stem. That nut gets tightened to 80 in-lb (9 N-m) so can check to see if it's loose at all. If you've got the snap-in style ones (i.e. rubber base instead of metal), you'll likely need to take it to a tire shop to either get it re-seated or replaced if it's damaged. I'd also be leery of that tire if it was driven at pressure that low on a runflat. They're designed to only drive 50 miles or so at low/no pressure, and any driving at low pressure will start to damage the internal sidewall construction which could be cause a tire failure sooner than expected, especially if you track the car. Might want to consider keeping the dealer in the loop because if the valve-stem just came unseated or was defective you might get it and a new tire covered under warranty. __________________ 2017 SS 1LE. Last edited by Alpha1BC; 10-01-2020 at 08:06 AM.

10-01-2020, 12:02 PM	#8
slimjim2525 Drives: 2019 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Connecticut Posts: 135	Do metal valve stems come on TPMS, or you run without TPMS? These are backup rims, so I don't really care. __________________ 2019 Camaro 2SS, Shadow Grey

10-03-2020, 07:18 AM	#13
slimjim2525 Drives: 2019 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Connecticut Posts: 135	Checked it out. OEM stems are metal. __________________ 2019 Camaro 2SS, Shadow Grey

10-01-2020, 09:34 AM	#3
TheRealJA105 Drives: 2013 C6Z06 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: PA Posts: 1,577	Not sure if your valve stem was rubber or not, but I won't track rubber valve stems anymore. I either melted one from brake heat or something just cut it during a session, but coming back in the pits and hearing it leaking was all i needed to switch to metal valve stems only.

10-01-2020, 07:01 PM	#12
TrackClub Drives: 2020 SS 1LE (previous: 2017 SS 1LE) Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Canada, eh! Posts: 5,091	1+ on Provoste's recommendation, albeit i have not upgraded mine in 4 seasons. Maybe i should... One thing that can lead to valve failure/slow leak is running without caps. Seen this cause several issues if/when crap gets inside. So, i always ensure i have mine on all the time. Cheers!

User Name		Remember Me?
Password