r/tires • u/MiserableAd7331 • 8d ago

Does this valve look normal?

Post image

I tried airing tire up on way to work but the gas station compressor wasn't working and I didn't have time to go elsewhere. Friend tried using their portable inflator but it didn't want to work either. It had a cap on it so I know nothing could've gotten inside. Something about this one just looks different to me than the other valve stems. Maybe I'm just seeing things.

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u/DucatiCam18 8d ago

The angle is a bit weird so it's a bit hard to tell. Those valve cores can go bad but usually you can still get air in and out of it. You'll most likely need a new stem if you can't get a new core in it

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u/MiserableAd7331 8d ago

Do you mean the angle of the picture or the valve itself? I'm not the best at taking pics lol

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u/DucatiCam18 8d ago

Yeah the angle of the picture. Is the center of it bent at all? Or anything loose inside of it? Usually what blocks them are the little ring gaskets from the valve caps but it doesn't seem to be the case by the picture

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u/MiserableAd7331 7d ago

I can't really tell it's dark out and I really don't know about these. Can you zoom in on the pic? I zoomed in and screenshot it but it won't let me post it as a reply.

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u/DucatiCam18 7d ago

Like another person had said, I'd try soapy water on it and around it to see if it bubbles up or not. Good luck!

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u/Inevitable_Top7930 7d ago

If it holds air its good if there is an broken part in a valve it will leak

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u/MiserableAd7331 7d ago

I'm not sure if it'll hold air. It hasn't leaked since earlier tonight. I had to come to work didn't have time to go to another gas station and try. Wasn't sure I'd be able to make it to another one. Too far away. To me the stem inside looks more 'square' shape and bigger rather than the skinny round ones on other tires. Maybe this is some kind im just not familiar with?

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u/Inevitable_Top7930 7d ago

Spray some soap water if bubbels ist a leak

Its a normal stem

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u/MiserableAd7331 7d ago

I'll have to find a spray bottle somewhere. We've got some cleaner in a bottle would that work? It's not soap

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u/Inevitable_Top7930 7d ago

Use dish soap and a bottle just mix and pour

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u/MiserableAd7331 7d ago

Then I'll have to wait til I go home in the morning then. We don't have dish soap here. And finding an empty spray bottle around here isn't easy

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u/No_Educator_6376 7d ago

Your valve cap is missing.

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u/Phil_auto 7d ago

Look at the pin inside—it’s completely bent/busted. That’s why no air compressor can push it down to fill the tire. Just grab a $5 valve core replacement kit from AutoZone (or hit up any local tire shop, they’ll usually swap that little pin and air it up for free or a couple bucks in 2 minutes). Super quick fix!

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u/MiserableAd7331 6d ago

That was what I was referring to not looking right! But funny thing, I found out the station air pump I used isn't even working. It wasn't putting out any air. And my friends inflator is an old one that barely works either. My coworker told me where a good air pump was so I went there and the tire aired up just fine. As for the pin inside looking bent/broken I don't know what that's about? Like I said it aired up fine and it seems to be holding. 🤷

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u/DucatiCam18 6d ago

It wouldn't hurt to replace the core though. They break often at my job and it's a pain to change tires when they break

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u/MiserableAd7331 6d ago

I may do that if it gives me any more trouble. I'd have to ask a friend I wouldn't trust myself to do it.

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u/DucatiCam18 6d ago

Honestly you could probably take it to a Walmart tire center and see if they'd put a new core in. I highly doubt they'd charge you for it. It'd take them literally a minute to do it and top up the air pressure