Beet juice filled tire, leaking from around the valve stem

fruitcakesa

Well-known member

Equipment
M 6040
Oct 26, 2010
856
270
63
Cavendish Vermont
I know this is a huge PITA with the filled heavy tire.
It appears that the rubber stem's raised portion that butts against the outside of the rim no longer is holding tightly and juice and air are leaking around it.
I know the fix is to remove and drain the tire and insert a new valve stem.
Has anyone got an idea how to temporarily seal the stem until I can arrange for a permanent repair?
I was thinking of using a grooved rubber bushing to slide over the stem and snapping onto the rim and then threading the stem nut down onto it. Sort of a ghetto fix for the failed raised stem. Maybe bedding it in some silicone after cleaning and drying the rim.
Any other thoughts?
 

Edke6bnl

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B7800 Kubota, case 1840 Skidsteer Ford 3500
Mar 31, 2022
230
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Agua Dulce, California
Do a search, they have at least 2 devices to remove the valve stem from outside and install from outside.
 
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GreensvilleJay

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maybe the ' waxy cord' that's used as 'packing' for gas petcocks and water taps ?
A few tight loops around the valve stem base 'might' work ??
 

aaluck

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L4400HST, Bush Hog 276, RDTH60, Speeco PHD, etc
Oct 9, 2019
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Tire plug wrapped around tightly may help for a while.
 

MOOTS

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Sounds like the wrong stem is installed. With a fluid filled tire, the stem should be metal with a nut and rubber washer to tighten against rim.
 
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Henro

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maybe the ' waxy cord' that's used as 'packing' for gas petcocks and water taps ?
A few tight loops around the valve stem base 'might' work ??
I was thinking something similar. I would probably use dental floss and 100 percent silicon calking, the floss wrapped multiple times when the valve stem was at the top, and let it set for a day...the floss pulled through a layer of calk as it was wrapped.

Worth a try anyway. No question a proper repair would be best, especially if you can accomplish it without removing the tire bead from the rim.

Also would jack the tire off the ground before doing anything...and maybe remove the valve stem or at least reduce the air pressure in the tire to zero while the silicone cured.
 

SDT

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multiple and various
Apr 15, 2018
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Sounds like the wrong stem is installed. With a fluid filled tire, the stem should be metal with a nut and rubber washer to tighten against rim.
Bingo.

Neoprene stems should be removed and replaced with metal stems when anything other than air is used in tires.

That said, not everyone does so.
 

fruitcakesa

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M 6040
Oct 26, 2010
856
270
63
Cavendish Vermont
I do have the stem at 12 and the tire jacked off the ground, it has been draining what I assume is excess fluid for the past few hours and has slowed almost to a stop. I will let it continue overnight and then dry it off and get a better look at it.
 

armylifer

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Boatman

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Kubota L2800, Kubota BX1870
Nov 26, 2016
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Mill Spring, NC, US
Three places those stems can leak. At the base which you think is the source. The core o-ring, knurled part. Or the shrader core itself.

If you have 100% determined the base is leaking you can remove the nut. Cut or purchase a rubber washer and reinstall. Make sure you dont push the base into the wheel. Did you try to tighten the nut a bit more?
 

fruitcakesa

Well-known member

Equipment
M 6040
Oct 26, 2010
856
270
63
Cavendish Vermont
Three places those stems can leak. At the base which you think is the source. The core o-ring, knurled part. Or the shrader core itself.

If you have 100% determined the base is leaking you can remove the nut. Cut or purchase a rubber washer and reinstall. Make sure you dont push the base into the wheel. Did you try to tighten the nut a bit more?
The nut is just a threaded piece of plastic that only tightens so much and seems pretty useless.
I ordered this:https://www.grainger.com/product/HALTEC-Tire-Valve-0-625-in-Rim-Hole-446V01
 
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armylifer

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Mar 26, 2013
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CGMKCM

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RVT-1100C, ZD323, L4760
Jan 26, 2021
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Randolph county N.C.
I do have the stem at 12 and the tire jacked off the ground, it has been draining what I assume is excess fluid for the past few hours and has slowed almost to a stop. I will let it continue overnight and then dry it off and get a better look at it.
It sounds like someone overfilled the tire with fluid. If valve stem is at 12 o clock no fluid should come out of it. The remaining 20% (approx.) of the tire volume should be filled with air. I could see where 100% liquid fill could push out or damage the valve stem.
 
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