Will "Fix a flat" ruin my TPMS?

Machado7 · 03-10-2008, 08:41 PM

I have 1 tire with a slow but persistent leak (about 1 PSI drop every 3 days). I found a tiny leak at the valve stem, and tightened the nut on the stem with a 75% drop in leak time, but not cured. I no longer can detect the leak at the stem. I still have the leak somewhere that is not visable wih bubble test/ soap/ etc.

If I instill a can of "fix a flat" (or the like), will i clog up the tire Pressure Monitor valve stem or system?? Any harm to come?

Thanks in advance,
M7

**Arachnid** · 03-10-2008, 08:51 PM

That stuff makes a heck of a mess, I would just take it in to your local tire shop and get it fixed the right way.

Spencer@tirerack · 03-11-2008, 07:32 AM

yes, it most definatly does! its very corrosive...it can eat up wheels!!!

Machado7 · 03-11-2008, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arachnid

That stuff makes a heck of a mess, I would just take it in to your local tire shop and get it fixed the right way.

My concern is that the leak is SOOOO SLOWWW that they will not find it. I have not had good luck with this problem in the past. I fix all my flats that stay on the rim.

Does the TPMS have moving parts that might be harmed by fix a flat? Is there a pin hole that senses the tire pressure that migh get plugged by fix a flat??

Thanks.

rrumaner · 03-11-2008, 03:12 PM

What part of "Its very corrosive...it can eat up wheels!!!" did you not understand?

Take a look at who is posting that and you might understand that he knows what he is talking about.

Use fix-a-flat at your own risk. Just don't come back here and complain that no one warned you.

Pops · 03-11-2008, 03:12 PM

Fix-a-Fart will ruin your TPMS for sure. It's also hard on these wheels and can make it harder to balance later.

If they cannot find it then use a baby wading pool or something to find it yourself and mark it. With the wading pool, you can lay the wheel on it's side and take your time looking then flip it over for the other 1/2.

There's no doubt that your wallet will painfully hurt later if you go the fix-a-fart round on this. It works great on trailers and lawn mowers but not on 18" aluminum wheels w/ TPMS.

CMBTITAN6 · 03-11-2008, 03:37 PM

Yes it will mess up the TPMS sensor. There is a small hole in the sensor that reads the tire pressure, if that hole gets clogged (which it will with Fix-A-Flat) the sensor is not able to read tire pressure. Have someone break the tire down, alot of times you will find something sticking through from the inside of the tire.

Machado7 · 03-11-2008, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CMBTITAN6

Yes it will mess up the TPMS sensor. There is a small hole in the sensor that reads the tire pressure, if that hole gets clogged (which it will with Fix-A-Flat) the sensor is not able to read tire pressure. Have someone break the tire down, alot of times you will find something sticking through from the inside of the tire.

Thats good info. So- no Fix a Fart, but rather baby pool and patience. Got it. Thanks.

Machado7 · 03-11-2008, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrumaner

What part of "Its very corrosive...it can eat up wheels!!!" did you not understand?

Take a look at who is posting that and you might understand that he knows what he is talking about.

Use fix-a-flat at your own risk. Just don't come back here and complain that no one warned you.

Dude- Relax. Im here because I LISTEN. I have nothing but great results from the advice I used (and the advice I ignored) from this site. But "corrosive" really ddnt address my concern. Stopping up a small port in the TPMS system was my suspected hazard. I saw the credentials and my ears perked. I am thankful for the info- but not really the info I needed.

Yellomantis · 03-11-2008, 04:50 PM

Check your TPMS, it may be a little loose and may be the source of your leak.

**Nissan Mike** · 03-11-2008, 06:08 PM

Put the wheel in your bathtub,pool,lake or whatever,my leak was visible with the sensor in the six o clock position and pouring straight soap on it.Like Mantis said you can keep tightening down(within reason) to see if the leak stops,if not,the dealer does sell the base gaskets to reseal these to the rims.

yamatitan · 03-11-2008, 06:48 PM

Fix of flat is some nasty stuff, i feel sorry for the guys who change out tires with that stuff in them. what a mess

Machado7 · 03-12-2008, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nissan Mike

Put the wheel in your bathtub,pool,lake or whatever,my leak was visible with the sensor in the six o clock position and pouring straight soap on it.Like Mantis said you can keep tightening down(within reason) to see if the leak stops,if not,the dealer does sell the base gaskets to reseal these to the rims.

The leak I found earlier on the TPMS was at the outer nut. I tightened it and no longer can detect a leak there (but that remains my prime suspect). I wish I knew the anatomy of the TPMS stem better. I really want to fix it myself and avoid the dealer.

shdw03 · 03-12-2008, 10:04 PM

could be the valve in the tpm itself. Did you do the pool thing?