I have a 2008 MINI Cooper S Clubman that has TPMS on wheels. One of my wheel is constantly leaking air to trigger the TPMS every week and I check the tires for couple times and there is no nail or leak on the tire. I suspect it's the "O ring/rubber washer" on the TPMS that is leaking, does anyone know where can I get this "TPMS rebuild kit"?

Thanks

 

So I would next spray the tires, dismounted from the car with a sprayer of soapy water and look for growing bubbles. If none are found try to submerge each tire and be double sure.
Lastly is rebuild the TPMS sensor, but you need to dismount the tires to get the sensor and rebuild the seals. I would buy them from Alex at tirerack.com

 

Thanks, this problem exist for about a year and had become "more frequent" (maybe due to the summer temp increase ). I had tire shop look for the problem couple times and didn't find any problem with the tire. After reading some post regarding TPMS "seal" or "rebuild" (or service) kit couple days ago...I think that might be the reason...I guess I will email Alex and see what is the best way.

Thanks again!

 

this site

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/bro...RebuildKit.jsp

suggests that all the replaced components in a 'rebuild kit' are outside of the wheel and would suggest it can be done w/out dismounting the tire.

I googled 'tpms repair' and found plenty of articles about this, and plenty of sources for kits .... the parts are fairly generic because you are only rebuilding the valve and not actually messing with the transmitter, and tend to run less than $10. A quick survey of tire shops around me show a TPMS 'service' at $5 (plus parts? a standard valve is $2)

as mentioned, the valve should be checked for leaks. Even b4 TPMS a common leak area is the 'valve core' which can be loose or even have failed. This core is EASILY replaced but note that a TPMS core IS a bit different from a standard core. Primarily not as long so as to not hit the transmitter so far as I can tell . . .

 

Got the wheel fixed this morning with the TPMS repair kit ($5 from the tire shop) and for the total of $20 out the door, the leak had stop. They submerge the wheel/tire in the water tank and bubble is slowly coming out from the valve stem location, no leak after fix

 

so we can mark this one in the WIN column?

lesson learned is to realize the mysterious TPMS is now the norm - and unless the transmitter goes bad; most problems aka leaks can be fixed for not much more than an old fashioned valve stem replacement cost.