I just had my tire replaced today, when I about to install my wheels back on the car, I heard air is coming out from the valve stem of the rim. Is the valve stem not installed properly? or it's broken? It's leaking from the very top where you pump the air into the tire...... any help? thanks

 

The valve core is probably loose. Easy fix. Either buy a valve core tool and tighten it or take it to a shop. It will take .000002 seconds to do. Then fill with air.

If it's leaking where the stem meets the rim, the stem is loose. Tighten it with a 11 or 12mm deep socket. DONT OVERTIGHTEN IT. IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH TORQUE. About 36lb/in-40lb/in (not lb/ft) should do it. You will probably have to hold the stem on the other side, though...so take it to a tire shop.

 

thx..... I called the shop and they said it's probably the valve core too. So the valve core tool is pretty much like a screw driver? all I need to do is to tighten it right?

 

The valve core tool is like slotted tool. Not like a screw driver. More like a negative of a flathead screwdriver. So like a flathead screw head.

They take a certain amount of torque as well. Tighten them too much and the heads will snap off.

 

Mine was leaking too, the valve core was loose and the tyre shop replaced it for me..