Tire stem blowing out water after a wash

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Jonny Zero, Nov 11, 2012.

  1. Jonny Zero

    Jonny Zero Giggidy

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    So I washed the car. All four stems had caps on them. I decide to check the pressure, a few hours after the wash. Took the stem caps off, and they all looked dry inside. The inside of the valve stems did not look wet at all. Pressed my tire gauge onto the stem out came water. From all four of them.

    How did water get past the seeming dry caps, all screwed on tight? Or did somehow water get into the tires?! I hope the TPMS sensors are designed to handle water.

    BTW this never happened before as I do not usually check pressures after a wash. I inflate my tires with a bicycle pump so we can rule out water getting put into the tires from an air compressor tank.
     
    #1 Jonny Zero, Nov 11, 2012
  2. phoenixgreg

    phoenixgreg Senior member

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    The TPMS sensors are part of the stems. If by driving around you do not get the TPMS warning, the sensors should be OK. TPMS valve sending unit.JPG
     
    #2 phoenixgreg, Nov 12, 2012
  3. Jonny Zero

    Jonny Zero Giggidy

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    Any idea how water got in the first place?
     
    #3 Jonny Zero, Nov 12, 2012
  4. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    It happens. Don't worry about it. There is always water vapor in air. Unless your tires were mounted in a sealed chamber filled with a pure gas you have water vapor in your tires.
     
    #4 JimN, Nov 12, 2012
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I've never seen water in tire valves. Check where you last added air? Give them a heads-up. Just thinking: maybe their compressor intake is out in the weather, catching rain?
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Nov 13, 2012
  6. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    All air compressors concentrate water. That's why you have to perodically drain the tank to prevent it from rusting out.
     
    #6 Mike500, Nov 13, 2012
  7. Jonny Zero

    Jonny Zero Giggidy

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    I always use my bicycle pump. No water there.
     
    #7 Jonny Zero, Nov 13, 2012
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    My guess it was from washing then.

    BTW, I've topped up ours with a bicycle pump, good exercise LOL. Brought a tire I'd just plug repaired (with next to no pressure) up to 40 psi). Doable in a pinch.
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Nov 13, 2012
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