Valve Stem - Tube or Tubeless?

Woodie in TX · Jun 12, 2018

The attached picture shows a valve stem with what I'll call a jam nut threaded onto it. The tire says tubeless but does this type of valve stem mean that there's a tube in the tire?

I have a leak at the base of the valve stem. Any good way to repair a leak at that location or is the only thing to do is buy another tube?

SDE · Jun 12, 2018

I believe that you have a tube in that tire. If you take the weight off of the tire and let the air out, you can remove the nut and push in on the valve stem. that may give you a better idea of tube or no tube. But the stem will most likely be stuck to the rim also.
SDE

SVcummins · Jun 12, 2018

I have had my guy replace the valve stem on a tub before the tire shops around here won?t even hardly patch a tube let alone glue a new valve stem on one but you might get somebody to do it

GarryinNC · Jun 12, 2018

That is a tube type stem. The lower part with the nut is made into the tube and the upper part of the stem screws out and also holds the valve core.

Philip d · Jun 12, 2018

I'm pretty sure there's a tube and the plastic nut holds it in place before its full of air. Unless you know for sure it's leaking from the stem itself it very well could be just a hole in the tube in general and since the rim is airtight that's the avenue for the air to escape. If it was me I'd have a tire shop repair it.

gab · Jun 12, 2018

Think it's got a tube in it, the round nut holds the tube, the rest of it screws out, there's two kinds of replacements, new style and old style, think you have the old style. Farm/Fleet has them as well as many other places.

andy r · Jun 12, 2018

Yes, that is a tire with a tube in it. The tire either has something like a nail or thorn in it that has penetrated the tube or the tube has just gotten old and is leaking. The puncture in the tube could be some distance away from the valve stem. The easiest way for air to get out is through the hole for the valve stem in the rim. Even though they are not tubeless air still has trouble getting out past the rim and tire bead. No, you can't fix the leak by filling in the hole in the rim/valve stem. If the tube is good there is a possibility that a simple inner tube patch will fix the tube. If you break the tire down yourself make sure you locate where the leak is on the tube and transfer that location to the tire. Try to find a puncture in the tire to see if a nail or thorn is still stuck in the tire. If you find something push it backwards using something like an ice pick. If there is a nail or thorn and it is not removed you will have another leak in a short time. Good luck.

moresmoke · Jun 12, 2018

As others have said, it has a tube. If it were tubeless, the valve stem would have a hex nut and washer on the out side.
Tractor tires that can be used tubeless do not have to be.

JMS/.MN · Jun 13, 2018

If only the stem is bad, that can be replaced. New stem with base is $20-25, glues on just like a patch.

IanC · Jun 13, 2018

Old style air/water valve (center threads OVER the fitting on the tube) means tube is 30+ years old time to just replace it and avoid trouble for the next 20 years.

riveroadrat · Jun 13, 2018

I have tried to seal that hole by tightening a rubber washer against the stem with the nut. One thing that will make it go flat faster is if its not filled past the top of the rim. Air goes out a lot easier than water. You might try to turn it to the top, get it dry so theres no water anywhere around the stem area and take a stem boot and use 3M superweatherstrip adhesive and glue it in there and tighten the nut down. I think they used to make stem boots out of rubber but all i"ve seen lately are the plastic ones. I have bought a car tube that the brass stem actually pulled right out of the tube. That would have made a good one to glue in. Theres not a lot of pressure there, it just neede something to seal the water in as thats the only way out. A mobile home tubless tire stem rubber might work if you trim it a little. Tractor tires aint no fun without the right hand tools.

showcrop · Jun 14, 2018

(quoted from post at 21:35:26 06/13/18) I have tried to seal that hole by tightening a rubber washer against the stem with the nut. One thing that will make it go flat faster is if its not filled past the top of the rim. Air goes out a lot easier than water. You might try to turn it to the top, get it dry so theres no water anywhere around the stem area and take a stem boot and use 3M superweatherstrip adhesive and glue it in there and tighten the nut down. I think they used to make stem boots out of rubber but all i"ve seen lately are the plastic ones. I have bought a car tube that the brass stem actually pulled right out of the tube. That would have made a good one to glue in. Theres not a lot of pressure there, it just neede something to seal the water in as thats the only way out. A mobile home tubless tire stem rubber might work if you trim it a little. Tractor tires aint no fun without the right hand tools.

Riveroadrat, sealing the water in with a washer under the plastic nut will probably work for only a few hours, but even it held for months, if the water is actually CaCl, a lot of damage can be done to the rim with the fluid between the rim and the tube.

Valve Stem - Tube or Tubeless?

Woodie in TX

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SDE

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