$110 Valve Stem on a Car ????

[tpenfield]

My cars have been ganging up on me lately . . . probably because I have paid so much attention to the boat fixing project.

Last week, my car's transmission started slipping . . . after a short while it was a no-go, I had to push it into a parking space. Brought it to my local repair guy for some tranny servicing.

Then The Admiral's SUV started loosing air in the rear tire at the valve stem. So, I had her drop it off at the shop. The service guy calls me a little while later and said, "yup, its the valve stem . . . new ones on that car cost about $110 from the dealer" "W T H are they gold plated?" I ask. "no they have a special pressure sensor in them :facepalm: BTW - the rear tires are shot, I can put new ones on" . . .

"OK, might as well", I said.

$110 for a high-tech valve stem . . . That's nuts. Of course, now that I know, I can see about getting them online at a better price, if I ever need another one.

 

[JB]

Re: $110 Valve Stem on a Car ????

I would opt for run-flat tires. They surely wouldn't cost $110 more than normal tires. :facepalm:

 

[oldjeep]

Re: $110 Valve Stem on a Car ????

$110? What kind of car? That is what they generally run for a set of 4

 

[coolbri70]

Re: $110 Valve Stem on a Car ????

the ones where I work are $160

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: $110 Valve Stem on a Car ????

Was it a TPS valve stem? Yep, they do cost the big bucks. I have them on 2 of my cars.

 

[gm280]

Re: $110 Valve Stem on a Car ????

Well as more and more basically useless options are added to so many vehicles these days, their cost goes up too. So being able to tell at a glance if you have air in your tires will cost more for those sensors. I think I'll stick to checking my own with a simple few dollar tire gauge... Like I told my son who recently bought a new F150 crew cab truck with everything but the kitchen sink (and who knows, that may be in there as well) those niceties are all well and good UNTIL they stop working. Then get your credit/debit card out and maybe even a loan to have it fixed...

 

[bruceb58]

Re: $110 Valve Stem on a Car ????

I would opt for run-flat tires. They surely wouldn't cost $110 more than normal tires. :facepalm:

That originally was the reason the manufacturers put sensors on in the first place. People didn't know when their tires were low by looking at them if they were run flats.

 

[Gyrene]

Re: $110 Valve Stem on a Car ????

It's the tire pressure monitor that costs, not the tire valve itself.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: $110 Valve Stem on a Car ????

Those on board monitoring systems cost a heck of a lot of money for upkeep and parts when something goes wrong, not surprising at all that it was $110 bucks for a new one.

What is really the pits, is you can't go without them or the computer in the car will mess up.

 

[no704]

Re: $110 Valve Stem on a Car ????

These are why all the tire shops now have nitrogen now. Moisture in regular "shop air" will kill the pressure sensor. Fix a flat will also ruin them.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: $110 Valve Stem on a Car ????

It's the tire pressure monitor that costs, not the tire valve itself.

No kidding - but a set of TPMS sensors (with the stems) runs around $120 for 4 of them - at least for the Mopar types. I've got a spare set sitting on my desk right now.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: $110 Valve Stem on a Car ????

Those on board monitoring systems cost a heck of a lot of money for upkeep and parts when something goes wrong, not surprising at all that it was $110 bucks for a new one.

What is really the pits, is you can't go without them or the computer in the car will mess up.

Mess up? The light on the dash comes on but that is about it.

 

[dolluper]

Re: $110 Valve Stem on a Car ????

A couple for 2 bone resistors and you can put in regular OLD SCHOOL valve stems......you have to hack the ECM.......fix that carp

 

[jetterbug]

Re: $110 Valve Stem on a Car ????

These are why all the tire shops now have nitrogen now. Moisture in regular "shop air" will kill the pressure sensor..

?? Who told you that? . Been a tech for 10 years and haven't ever heard that...

 

[tpenfield]

Re: $110 Valve Stem on a Car ????

I checked the Ford Parts site last night . . . $107 each, so a set of 4 would be $428

I'm not sure what manufacturer Ford uses, but generally you can get the "TPSM" Valve stems for $30 - $60 each by ordering online.

I also noticed that there is a 'valve only' replacement part that can be ordered for some of them . . . not sure if that was an option . . . but they are only about $8 each.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: $110 Valve Stem on a Car ????

I checked the Ford Parts site last night . . . $107 each, so a set of 4 would be $428

I'm not sure what manufacturer Ford uses, but generally you can get the "TPSM" Valve stems for $30 - $60 each by ordering online.

I also noticed that there is a 'valve only' replacement part that can be ordered for some of them . . . not sure if that was an option . . . but they are only about $8 each.

What is the model and year of the car? The mfg of the tpms doesn't matter only the frequency (mostly).

The valve only replacement is just the stem and sometimes a seal kit depending on the stem style and those get replaced everytime you change the tires. If they replaced the whole unit then it must not have been sending, or they broke it dismounting the tire, or they just decided to screw you out of $110 instead of the $8 kit

 

[gm280]

Re: $110 Valve Stem on a Car ????

I understand that some folks like those new exotic options, but is the cost really worth the effort to know if your tires are filled to the accuracy of the sensors to drive correctly? I think I would forgo such expense and drive like I presently do. Check the tires occasionally, do normal maintenance and drive on. I honestly just don't have the need myself!

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: $110 Valve Stem on a Car ????

These are why all the tire shops now have nitrogen now. Moisture in regular "shop air" will kill the pressure sensor. Fix a flat will also ruin them.

If that's the case, all of mine will be shot since I use my own air. I don't buy it.......

I understand that some folks like those new exotic options, but is the cost really worth the effort to know if your tires are filled to the accuracy of the sensors to drive correctly? I think I would forgo such expense and drive like I presently do. Check the tires occasionally, do normal maintenance and drive on. I honestly just don't have the need myself!

That would be great except a warning light or the like will always be displayed on the dash. I'm guessing a message on my little computer screen would always be displayed telling me I have a tire pressure issue. I can see the pressure in each tire at any given time...

I believe mine were under $200 for a set of 4 on my RAM...

 

[agallant80]

Re: $110 Valve Stem on a Car ????

That sounds about right. As for putting Run Flats on the car I would avoid it. They are stiff and destroy the ride quality. my BMW came with them, I could hardly wait for them to ware out so I could put on normal tires.

 

[tomdinwv]

Re: $110 Valve Stem on a Car ????

I believe TPMS is now required on all new vehicles. Something to do with maintaining proper inflation to keep up gas mileage.