Do you get new valves when you get your tyres fitted?

[mr_magicfingers]

Had a new front put on the gs last week, and since then it's been letting air out slowly but steadily. Went back and they found that the valve was leaking around the base where it meets the rim.

They replaced the valve which only cost £2 but cost me £15 in labour. They say they don't normally replace the valve unless asked as they usually last a fair while.

For the sake of £2 I'm tempted to just get it done each time in future, but wondered what the assembled masses here thought. I just assumed they'd replace the valve with each new tyre, but apprarently not.

What's the opinion of others here.

Cheers,

Justin.

 

[Glyno]

I thought if you had new tyres it was automatic that they fitted new valves as well

 

[Mr K]

Place I get my tyres from does it every time.

 

[Greger]

Always!!!!

 

[motobiker]

Can't think of any tyre on any bike of mine that didn't have a new valve when the tyre was fitted.

I thought this was normal or 'best practice'.

Possibly (my opinion) because the chances of damaging the redundant valve is relatively high when removing the old tyre.

 

[mr_magicfingers]

I was under the impression it would be done and thought it had been in the past but it's 10 years since I last had to have tyres fitted (been off bikes for a little while) but was very surprised when it wasn't. I think I shall be looking for a new west london tyre emporium from now on.

Cheers,

Justin.

 

[ianboydsnr]

Had a new front put on the gs last week, and since then it's been letting air out slowly but steadily. Went back and they found that the valve was leaking around the base where it meets the rim.

They replaced the valve which only cost £2 but cost me £15 in labour. They say they don't normally replace the valve unless asked as they usually last a fair while.

For the sake of £2 I'm tempted to just get it done each time in future, but wondered what the assembled masses here thought. I just assumed they'd replace the valve with each new tyre, but apprarently not.

What's the opinion of others here.

Cheers,

Justin.

its not neccissary every time, but if it was faulty it at least should have been inspected, then they should of changed it at the cost of the valve if it leaked after a new tyre was fitted, I personally change my own tyres, and change valves every 2 or 3 tyres

 

[Wrigsby1]

I'm in both camps. if I had a garage change 'em I would expect a new valve. I change my own mostly so change valve when necessary. You get an idea of whether it's OK or not by pressure checks. If you buy a bike change 'em next tyre change so you know where you stand.

 

[Steptoe]

Never have new valves fitted, it's a con that most punters fall for - if they don't leak why bother

 

[Greg Masters]

Never have new valves fitted, it's a con that most punters fall for - if they don't leak why bother

Common sense from Steppers!

The valve are not moving parts; they don't wear and if you keep valve caps on them, they won't get much dirt ingress. If they leak, it's probably the valve core that's come loose. Try tightening it (or changing it) first.

Greg

 

[CHANGELING]

Man in the trade in the UK told me that he has to check each valve stem when changing tyres as there had been an influx of Chinese made ones that split quicker than a whores legs in bright sunlight. Also an MOT station and he checks them then as well, as a friendly gesture you understand, not drumming up new business.

 

[motobiker]

Never have new valves fitted, it's a con that most punters fall for - if they don't leak why bother

to be honest I'm not even aware of ever being charged extra... each tyre at my local place has a price on it... and very competitive too. Its what I pay if I just take a loose wheel. Only extra is if I were to us his ride-in/ride-out service. (I don't)

So.. if the tyres are slightly more expensive due to the added valves.. can't say it bothers me. Over the life of the tyre itself how much does that come to? pennies per month I guess.

think I've a bit more to worry about than the price of a tyre valve every other year.

Now, if I were presented with a bill with a shed load of unexpected extras on top.. then I would get a bit mardy. but thats not the way it works up here.

Except at the local Motorrad. (of course)

 

[Wrigsby1]

Recently bought K1100LT. Rear tyre was Metz ME99 (matured) built by Kaiser Bill himself and with glacial cracks and "slime" sealant. Changed valve as precaution as i couldn't carbon date it. Front tyre had new ME33 (yes still made!!). Valve leaks on that 'een Guess the tyre man didn't change the valve

 

[mr_magicfingers]

thanks for the replies. To me it seemed like cheap insurance. The valve on my bike was leaking air where it met the rim, perhaps it was just perished. I've no idea how old it was as I've only had the bike a few weeks and it's 9 years old. Given that it just cost £15 quid in labour to have it replaced, I think I'll get them done every couple of tyres in future.

They may never leak, but unless you change your own tyres when labour is free then having to have just one done would cost more than several years worth of having them replaced when you get the tyres done.

J.

 

[Stewart H]

I have had valves on the car that will hiss if you push them over, my tyre bloke will change them if you ask or if he does not like the look of them, mind you he is usually fitting tyres for me that I have bought elsewhere.
Stewart

 

[t'other dave]

Man in the trade in the UK told me that he has to check each valve stem when changing tyres as there had been an influx of Chinese made ones that split quicker than a whores legs in bright sunlight. Also an MOT station and he checks them then as well, as a friendly gesture you understand, not drumming up new business.

As a tyre fitter and M.O.T tester the above is kinda correct. Part of an M.O.T is to check the valves and a few do fail on splits around the base and we did have some cheap nasty valves that I was failing 6 months after being fitted, if we'd fitted them then it was f.o.c.
All new tyres we fit have new valves at the same time, for the cost of a valve its just cheap insurance. IF we'd have fitted a tyre and not (for some strange reason) put in a new valve and it came back leaking then I would not charge.

 

[mr_magicfingers]

Given that it's leaked since I had the tyre done, it also suggests that it was damaged during fitting and the valve wasn't checked. When soapy water was put on it, it was obvious where the fault was. Maybe just overlooked or maybe a sign of complacency.

I'll be looking for alternative fitters locally.

J.

 

[t'other dave]

I'd say disturbed not damaged, its just the seat/seal.

 

[mr_magicfingers]

I'd say disturbed not damaged, its just the seat/seal.

looked cracked around the edge, guessing the rubber was perished.

 

[Steptoe]

Almost all of the valve leaks i've seen on tubeless tyres has been corrosion on the wheel rim where the valve locates.