Damaged Tyre Pressure Sensors - anyone got any experience?

[Andy B]

Just had new tyres fitted to my 08 GSA by reputable fitter. He was a bit concerned about not changing the valve (which is standard procedure for him), but acknowledged that the BMW sensors were special. When he put the new tyre on he couldn't get a proper seal on the valve when he refitted it. The casting on the inside of the wheel hub was very rough, and the existing rubber O ring that is supposed to seal the valve was pitted and marked.

He phoned BMW looking for a replacement O ring, but No! Got to have the whole unit, and it had to be recalibrated by a BMW dealer! £75.00 for the valve - god knows what for the recalibrating!

Picture shows the combined valve and sensor unit, and at the base of the valve stem you can see the pitted O ring.

Anybody had any similar experience of this?

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Just had new tyres fitted to my 08 GSA by reputable fitter. He was a bit concerned about not changing the valve (which is standard procedure for him), but acknowledged that the BMW sensors were special. When he put the new tyre on he couldn't get a proper seal on the valve when he refitted it. The casting on the inside of the wheel hub was very rough, and the existing rubber O ring that is supposed to seal the valve was pitted and marked.

He phoned BMW looking for a replacement O ring, but No! Got to have the whole unit, and it had to be recalibrated by a BMW dealer! £75.00 for the valve - god knows what for the recalibrating!

Picture shows the combined valve and sensor unit, and at the base of the valve stem you can see the pitted O ring.

Anybody had any similar experience of this?

Ahh.....................complication over practicality

That'll be about right for new BMW's

Makes it not look so cheap couple of hundred option now

So glad my 2008 12GSA has left my ownership

What a nonsense

Sorry you're having to suffer this

 

[Hexme]

Does this mean that only BMW are qualified or even able to change tyres with TPC?

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Does this mean that only BMW are qualified or even able to change tyres with TPC?

Probably.......................now you'll pay over £250 for a set of tyres

 

[Clive]

Does this mean that only BMW are qualified or even able to change tyres with TPC?

No it doesn't.

 

[Thunder]

TPCs are getting more and more common although thy tend to be on four wheels rather than two.

I changed the sensors over to different wheels 3 times and my fitter who I would call an expert had no issues what so ever as he knew to be careful when removing the tyre and not place the lever anywhere near the valve when removing the tyre.

Sorry to hear of your problem but you do not have to use BMW for tyres just find a good fitter, easier said than done it would seem.

Just wondering why your guy removed the vlave in the first place and why the seal was marked?

 

[Andy B]

I think he wanted to be clear that there was no way of detaching the sensor from the valve stem so he could replace the valve stem.

 

[Thunder]

If the O ring is pitted and marked I'd take tit to your BMW dealer and try for a warranty claim.

As I said earlier I changed the sensors over three times to different wheels with no issues.

 

[wilbjr21]

Ahh.....................complication over practicality

That'll be about right for new BMW's

Makes it not look so cheap couple of hundred option now

So glad my 2008 12GSA has left my ownership

What a nonsense

Sorry you're having to suffer this

I'm afraid you just don't have a clue what your talking about - so there you go again with the negative vibes.

The tyre pressure option is a good and worthwhile one. The bike can read two sets of different sensors, for a person who is lucky enought to have two sets of wheels.

If one has been broken then it needs replacing (by anyone) and the bike needs to recognise it (BMW dealer with GT1 computer) ......... simple really.

And I change my tyres myself without any issue.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I'm afraid you just don't have a clue what your talking about - so there you go again with the negative vibes.

The tyre pressure option is a good and worthwhile one. The bike can read two sets of different sensors, for a person who is lucky enought to have two sets of wheels.

If one has been broken then it needs replacing (by anyone) and the bike needs to recognise it (BMW dealer with GT1 computer) ......... simple really.

And I change my tyres myself without any issue.

Still an overcomplication in my book....................in terms of pure motorcycling

I had it, but couldn't see the point really

Fine, if you like gadgets

Just another complication for the sake of technology

You agree with it...............I don't

That's all and so therefore no need get personal

2 different opinions, wow!.................welcome to the real world

Your pro-1200 hobby horse is as big as my anti-1200 hobby horse

So.................hey we're quits

 

[Thunder]

Still an overcomplication in my book....................in terms of pure motorcycling

I had it, but couldn't see the point really

Fine, if you like gadgets

Just another complication for the sake of technology

You agree with it...............I don't

That's all and so therefore no need get personal

2 different opinions, wow!.................welcome to the real world

Your pro-1200 hobby horse is as big as my anti-1200 hobby horse

So.................hey we're quits

Can't agree with another complication for the sake of technology Johnny, the basic principle is sound as having used it on a 2008 I liked the ability to monitor the tyre pressures on the move. Essentia? No Useful? Yes and as an optional fitment you can decide whether you want it or not, this thread is useful as it let's potential purchasers see it does complicate such a simple thing as changing tyres.

At the end of the day we will all have our views, if I ever decide to go for a 1200 or equivelent I'd still go for the TPC but I know thats just a personal view.

 

[pikeydave]

Still an overcomplication in my book....................in terms of pure motorcycling

I had it, but couldn't see the point really

Fine, if you like gadgets

Just another complication for the sake of technology

You agree with it...............I don't

That's all and so therefore no need get personal

2 different opinions, wow!.................welcome to the real world

Your pro-1200 hobby horse is as big as my anti-1200 hobby horse

So.................hey we're quits

Lets face it Jonny, your ideal bike is a Penny Farthing without ABS.

 

[wilbjr21]

Still an overcomplication in my book....................in terms of pure motorcycling

I had it, but couldn't see the point really

Fine, if you like gadgets

Just another complication for the sake of technology

You agree with it...............I don't

That's all and so therefore no need get personal

2 different opinions, wow!.................welcome to the real world

Your pro-1200 hobby horse is as big as my anti-1200 hobby horse

So.................hey we're quits

No Johnny ......... your still miles in front.

After all - you had a 1200 GSA that was found wanting in the handling stakes; if I recall correctly.

 

[earthmover]

My Jeep, and the other one at work, has pressure sensors. We gat punctures a lot with the kind of conditions we drive them in. Our tyre fitter has had more than his fair share of the sensors falling apart when he takes the tyre off with the hydraulic bead breaker that they use, so he now removes them by hand. Chrysler TPS units are only £20 apiece though.
If I was getting a new bike, it's an option I'd go for. Nothing worse than feeling that shimmy as you tip it in to a bend!
Mark

 

[hiup]

I recently had a rear wheel puncture on a motorway. I made it safely on to the hard shoulder and then checked the rear tyre. There was nothing in the tyre and I had to use two gas cylinders before I was able to locate the 'hole' (the road noise made it impossible to hear the escaping air and I had to 'spit' on each likely hole to locate the leak). The repair was then straight forward and the hole was succesfully plugged. I had to use 4 more gas cylinders to get the tyre pumped up (I was two up and fully loaded). When I removed the last gas cylinder, I found that the air was pissing out of the tyre valve and even replacing the dust cap would not stop it. I was now rapidly loosing my air. A panic search through my tools provided another dust cap which sufficiently sealed the escaping air. A quick exit to the nearest petrol garage with an air pump and I found myself having to replace the shraeder insert to stop the valve leaking! Fortunately for me I was carrying 6 gas cannisters, spare dust caps, and spare shraeder valves!:cool Anyway, I think the use of so many cannisters of compressed gas froze or shrank the O ring on the shraeder valve and hence the escaping air. Maybe slower filling may prevent this?

The reason for my post is to say that I was able to monitor the pressure in my repaired tyre over the next few hundred miles of my journey from the comfort of the riders seat! It was most reassuring and I feel this alone justifies having this gadget!

The plug is still in the tyre and I'm still monitoring it

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

No Johnny ......... your still miles in front.

After all - you had a 1200 GSA that was found wanting in the handling stakes; if I recall correctly.

You're probably a Pro Rider and can handle the power and sharp handling of a 12GSA

Me......... i'm just an ordinary 'joe' and found it fell into corners too quickly for my liking

Some other respected GSer's said you have to change your riding style a little


However I prefer the way my 1150 handles - guess I don't have enough riding experience for a 12GSA, that's all...........being a noob to these type of bikes and road riding

I'll bow to other more knowledgeable GS types where riding is concerned and also technical things, as I know feck all about it all

Have a nice day.................y'all

 

[(RIP) Proff]

O FFS !!!!!!!

Wilbr, Johnny
Will you pair stop with the
Or next time I see ya I'll together.

Just have your pissing highest up the wall contest somewhere else

I for one am interested in these sensors as they are same as fitted to wifes car, I'm also trying to find out what size and type of compound the sealing ring is.
I have a friend in "rubber" who may be able to procure some.
So let the bloke post a close up pic of the ring with sizes please


Who knows we may all have a cheap spare in our toolkit if all goes well.
Even 1200 owners cos I ain't proud

 

[Gruffalo]

i had an issue with the rear sensor in the rear tyre of my 1200gs after about 1 month of owner ship, when i took the bike into vines in guildford for its 6000mile service i mentioned that there was a problem with it as it would read the pressure in the rear after about 20-30 mins of riding , even though i checked the pressures everytime it happened and they where ok
anyway they looked at it in the service and said that it was faulty and needed replacing, but to me it wasnt an issue and said that ill sort it out at the 12000mile service and since thay had alook ite sorted itself out!

 

[wilbjr21]

Wilbr, Johnny
Will you pair stop with the
Or next time I see ya I'll together.

Just have your pissing highest up the wall contest somewhere else

I for one am interested in these sensors as they are same as fitted to wifes car, I'm also trying to find out what size and type of compound the sealing ring is.
I have a friend in "rubber" who may be able to procure some.
So let the bloke post a close up pic of the ring with sizes please


Who knows we may all have a cheap spare in our toolkit if all goes well.
Even 1200 owners cos I ain't proud

Proff:

He was being a knobber before being a noob.

I normally can't be bothered with this short of sh!t either, but I had to make an exception on this occasion in case someone is put off buying because of ill-informed comments.

I have the sensors with two sets of wheels and they are very good in the way they work. Battery life is supposed to be ten years. A friend of mine detected a puncture soon after picking up a nail as the indicator was flashing away with the pressure drop. A really good safety feature using modern technology.

 

[Andy B]

Okay - a few more pics attached.

Having plucked up the courage to gently prise the O ring off I was able to see more clearly a tear in the side of it which I suspect is where it has rubbed against the wheel casting.

In terms of size, the little perisher (no pun intended!) has an internal diameter of 8mm and external of 12mm. It is 4.25mm deep. It is square-sided, but when it is put over the valve shaft it splays out to reflect the chamfered shape of the valve stem.

It is such a simple O ring I cannot believe BMW seriously expects customers to pay £75.00 to replace the whole unit!