TPMS valve leak. Who’s to blame?

davesc

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Hi all,

Just had a new pair of tyres fitted and by the time I went to roll the bike out of the garage after putting the wheels back on, front was dead flat. It’s leaking around the TPMS valve. I’m taking it back to the fitter tomorrow but obviously it wasn’t leaking before they fitted the tyre, but are they likely to say that’s it’s a faulty TPMS valve, so not their problem?

Anyone else had this problem?

Cheers

Dave
 
Spoked wheels?
If so, then they could have knocked the sensor when changing the tyre, which may cause a leak.

Alloy wheels?
The sensor on bolts on from within the wheel, and may be knocked, but wouldn't cause a leak as its not connected to the valve.

Just my thoughts.
 
Yes, sorry should have said. Spoked wheel. 2016 1200gs.

If it’s been knocked, is it easy fix, or will the seal be knackered?

Cheers

Dave
 
Can't help you with that as my wheels are alloy, so my sensors would have been different.
I'm sure someone else with spoked wheels will be along shortly
 
davesc said:
I’m taking it back to the fitter tomorrow but obviously it wasn’t leaking before they fitted the tyre, but are they likely to say that’s it’s a faulty TPMS valve, so not their problem?
Click to expand...

Having asked if it’s likely that the fitters will say it’s a faulty valve, what you should have gone on to ask the WC massive, is what to do if they do.

Go tooled-up and take no shit nor prisoners. It’s the only message they understand. In fact, on reconsideration, DO take prisoners. Barricade them and yourself in the workshop, threatening to kill one prisoner an hour until your grievance is recognised. You’ll make the six o’clock news (regional, maybe even national) that’s for sure.


PS Do the valves on your bike have an external retaining nut, that holds the valve vertical and in place? If so, is it tight? Don’t go mad with the spanner, save that for when you are in the tyre fitters.
 
These days, tyre fitters should be used to dealing with TPMS sensors, so they shouldn’t have damaged it
Hopefully they can tighten it up when the tyre is removed, problem solved
If it has been damaged, get them to pay, they are incompetent


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
My rear wheel TPM came loose on its own, managed to tighten by hand to stop leaking, then dealers checked and retightened .

davesc said:
Hi all,

Just had a new pair of tyres fitted and by the time I went to roll the bike out of the garage after putting the wheels back on, front was dead flat. It’s leaking around the TPMS valve. I’m taking it back to the fitter tomorrow but obviously it wasn’t leaking before they fitted the tyre, but are they likely to say that’s it’s a faulty TPMS valve, so not their problem?

Anyone else had this problem?

Cheers

Dave
Click to expand...
 
Engineer said:
Should have gone to a BMW dealer and got them to do whole job - much less hassle all round.
Click to expand...

Sorry OP but I have to agree with Engineer on this - you may pay a premium (not too much in my experience), but they will not damage your wheel or TPMS (if they do - they pay). The tyre fitter/s are bound to blame the sensor, you might need to sort this yourself.
 
stonehenge said:
Sorry OP but I have to agree with Engineer on this - you may pay a premium (not too much in my experience), but they will not damage your wheel or TPMS (if they do - they pay). The tyre fitter/s are bound to blame the sensor, you might need to sort this yourself.
Click to expand...

Yes, on balance I tend to agree. I've used this particular tyre specialist in Bristol several times before with no problems, but that was before the days of TPMS so, easy.

I took the wheel back in this morning and complained. Bike tyre guy (not the same one who did the original fit) initially claimed it wasn't leaking at all after re-filling it - blamed a sticky valve core. Until I took him and the wheel into a quiet room where you could hear the hissing. So, tyre off and inspect the TPMS. Nothing to see, obviously, so he tried to undo the nut. Very (very) tight, so off he went to get the manager. Eventually they did crack it loose. It looked like the valve nut has Loctite thread lock on (from the factory I guess?), which explains why it was tight. The manager tried to argue that it was corroded (it was the threadlock, which was blue) and proceeded to come up with every reason under the sun why it wasn't the tyre fitter's fault. e.g. 'they all fail eventually' and 'they don't last forever', 'obviously corroded' etc. All bullsh1t. The tyre fitter was then going to try liquid sealant around the rubber seal before I stopped him.

The rubber didn't look damaged to me, so I got them to just re-fit carefully. So far, it's stayed up so they could have tried that before getting defensive and arsesy with me.

Anyway, not a very satisfactory experience overall. Although they claim to be experienced, they clearly had no experience of TPMS on bike wheels at all. There was no-way they were going to accept responsibility for the issue. Although all seems to be well right now, I don't know how much confidence I have in the seal. At least with TPMS I can easily monitor the pressure for a while.

Next time, perhaps I'll go to the dealer!

Cheers

Dave
 
malcopopolo said:
Yes they do and are very reasonable. Free in you buy the tyre from them.

Loose wheels £16 inc vat per wheel.

I only use my dealer!
Click to expand...

That is reasonable. Didn’t even think to ask. I just assumed that a) they would insist on supplying the tyres and b) they would be v. Expensive. You live and learn.
 
No, not every dealership has tyre changing machines. It goes to a 3rd party. Regardless, of that. If the wheel comes back with unusual markings for a tyre change or a TPMS sensor fault the argument can be made that fault occurred at the tyre fitting stage. The tyre fitters does not indemnify themselves from damaging your property. See the consumer law. No need to ask on here.

Damage could be from the inflation of the tyre where the valve stem was forced to be at an angle. These TPMS sensor things are fragile.
 
tanneman said:
No, not every dealership has tyre changing machines. It goes to a 3rd party. Regardless, of that. If the wheel comes back with unusual markings for a tyre change or a TPMS sensor fault the argument can be made that fault occurred at the tyre fitting stage. The tyre fitters does not indemnify themselves from damaging your property. See the consumer law. No need to ask on here.

Damage could be from the inflation of the tyre where the valve stem was forced to be at an angle. These TPMS sensor things are fragile.
Click to expand...

I’d be surprised. BMW recently ran adds about the care they gave while fitting new tyers. Didn’t say anything about the care some 3rd party would give. I remember the add where a bearded bmw techican look lovingly at a tyre as he held it in his muscled arms. Still mostly fit my own JJH
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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