TPMS Valve Stem threads corroded

[bill875]

My '08 Rogue came with Nitrogen in the tires and what I believe were metal valve stem caps that had on the end of them an "N" for Nitrogen. They nicely matched the color of the wheels. This was part of a package that was automatically added by the dealer when they received the car.

Here's the problem. Two service visits ago, when I had the car in, they had to replace a wheel bearing. When they did that, mysteriously my car came back without the metal caps and instead had the standard black plastic screw on caps. I didn't notice this until a few days later and I was not happy because it looked bad in comparison but I didn't have a chance to call or visit the dealership to ask about it.

Later that week, I got a screw in a tire, so I took it to Just Tires and they patched the tire and rotated them. They told me that the TPMS stem threads were severely corroded and what usually causes that is when metal caps are installed, they cause the threads to seize. So they told me I would have to buy all new TPMS modules whenever I get new tires. I am not happy about having to possibly do this.

So here is my question, should I hold Woodfield Nissan responsible for the corrosion since they were the ones that installed the metal caps to indicate Nitrogen in the first place? I now have 38,900 miles, but I did get the Security Plus Gold Preferred, I just don't know if that will help me or not in this case.

Any help or guidance is appreciated.

[sileung]

I've had a similar issue to what you're experiencing except it was the nut on the outside that holds the valve stem to the wheel that was corroded. Needless to say, the nut cracked and fell off causing me to have a flat tire since without that nut, the entire valve came loose and fell inside the tire.

I took it back to the dealer and had them replace it. Also, ask them to inspect your other valves to see if they are having this problem. If it is, have them replace it for you. This should be covered by your dealer.

[philipa_240sx]

Not sure if you will have much luck with a warranty repair. It's worth a shot though.

The Nissan warranty booklet specifically states that there is no warranty coverage if an aftermarket part is improperly installed or causes corrosion or damage to the vehicle.

Read page 6 'What is not covered':

This warranty does not cover damage, failures or corrosion resulting from:

- Installation of non-Nissan approved accessories orcomponents.- Improper installation of any Nissan approved oraftermarket accessory or component.

I do agree that Nissan should make customers aware of the use and care of TPMS sensors. They are a bit more delicate than the old rubber tire stems.

[bill875]

philipa_240sx,

My Rogue was sold to me with those valve stem caps as this was my Nissan Dealer's package. So, in my opinion, the dealer, not necessarily Nissan, should take full responsibility for the damage resulting from them. I have my appointment set up for Friday, so we'll see what they say.

[philipa_240sx]

My Rogue was sold to me with those valve stem caps as this was my Nissan Dealer's package.

I missed that part... sorry. The dealer should have known better.

BTW, Schrader Bridgeport makes the sensors for Nissan and they specifically state not to use brass valve caps or chrome plated brass commonly found in most chrome valve caps. Usually the threads are not well plated and can corrode just the same.

Never use a brass valve core or un-plated brass cap with an aluminum TPMS sensor stem. Contact between dissimilar metals may cause galvanic corrosion, which can lead to loss of air pressure.

http://www.schrader-bridgeport.com/inde ... Itemid=108

[chove1437]

I to have the metal valve stem caps on my car supplied by the dealer. The one with the N on it to show that the tires were filled with Nitrogen.

I have gone through one winter and am sitting at over 30,000kms. I went to go and check my caps and they are so tight, I can't remove them with my fingers.I'm afraid they have seized and am worried if I try to remove them and replace them with rubber ones, I might damage the TPMS sensors.

Any suggestions?

[philipa_240sx]

I'm afraid they have seized and am worried if I try to remove them and replace them with rubber ones, I might damage the TPMS sensors.

Any suggestions?

Soak with WD-40 to try and loosen them up. If you cannot remove by hand, then leave them alone. Once they are corroded in place, there is no way to remove them safely.

IMHO, go after the dealer on this one just like bill875. They made the mistake so it's their problem. If they manage to get the valve caps off without damaging anything great, if not they should pay to replace the sensor. The TPMS sensors are not cheap to replace... figure $125 per sensors + labor (dismounting the tire, sensor replacement, tire mount + balance, and programming). This could easily cost you hundreds of dollars in repairs!

[koolyce]

I will check my cap valve because I know they are not black but grey. Hope they are in plastic...

[Pescakl1]

Mine came with plastic grey valve caps, so yours probably too.

[bill875]

Pescakl1,

Did you have Nitrogen in your tires? If so, did the gray caps have an N indicated on it?

[Pescakl1]

No, it was regular air initially. I think they put the plastic grey valve caps just for the look, nothing written on it.

Since then I replace the air by some Nitrogen and I put the green caps on them to let mechanics know that it is nitrogen in the tires.

I have the tires inflated two summers ago and the pressure never decreased, even by one psi (even stocked in the unheated garden house during the winter), so I am very happy with my choice (and they are inflated at 45 psi).

[chove1437]

Soak with WD-40 to try and loosen them up. If you cannot remove by hand, then leave them alone. Once they are corroded in place, there is no way to remove them safely.

Once again philpa_240sx.....you have saved me hundreds of dollars in repairs. This forum is the absolute BEST!

Soaked the stems with WD-40. Grabbed some pliers and lightly applied some torque. The metal "N" caps came off. I noticed that 1/2 of the stem was lightly corroded. I think I caught this just in the nick of time. I then cleaned up the stems and immediately replaced them with black plastic caps.Thanks again!!!!

[bill875]

I took my Rogue in for my 9am appointment. They told me because I have the extended warranty, he would push it through to replace all 4 corroded TPMS sensors. The tech indicated on the paperwork that there was a crack starting to occur on one of them.

I'm not sure it made any difference that I had the Security Plus Gold Preferred or if it was just that I got a really nice service adviser. So far, out of 4 that I've worked with Pauly has been the best.

I am really happy that I bought the Nissan extended warranty now. The replacement could have easily cost me $400 or more and that doesn't include any tire/wheel damage that could have resulted.

[lou from ny]

i don't know this person, but if ya need 'em...http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ories

good luck

[Gary1957]

I own a 2008 Nissan Altima and all 4 of my valve stems are corroded. Broke 2 off and the other 2 are fastened on harder than a rock. My Altima just went off the warranty in Febuary. Just wondering if I go back to the dealership and tell them my problem do you guys think I stand a chance that they might try to keep this customer happy by covering this problem seeing how my car came with the caps already on? I did not buy the extended warranty so do you think I'm just screwed on this subject? Is it worth a try? Opinions please???

[philipa_240sx]

Just wondering if I go back to the dealership and tell them my problem do you guys think I stand a chance that they might try to keep this customer happy by covering this problem seeing how my car came with the caps already on? I did not buy the extended warranty so do you think I'm just screwed on this subject? Is it worth a try? Opinions please???

It's worth a shot. But I'm afraid Nissan may not agree to any warranty as it wasn't a failure of an OEM part, but an aftermarket one.

I'm afraid the repair isn't going to be cheap. Figure $400 for four new sensors plus labor. The tire has to be removed from each wheel and the sensor replaced. And then all 4 sensors have to be programmed to the car's body computer. There is easily $200 in labor.

Good luck!

[Gary1957]

I just like bill875 have those "N" Nitrogen caps installed on my car. So I take it that the dealership installed those caps not Nissan. Therefore my hopes are that the dealership will step up to the plate and show me some responsibility. This in the 2nd brand new Nissan I've purchased from this dealership in the last 7 years and I also bought a new truck off them in 98..... I've purchased 14 or 15 new vehicles in my lifetime and over the years I've had a couple instances where my warranty had run out, but the dealership somehow still found a way to wiggle through the warranty and help me out. But this is my first problem with this dealership so I'll see how this plays out......I didn't install the caps they did so I'm hoping they want to play it straight and do the fair thing. I would find it hard to believe that this is the first time they've run into this problem. In fact, I took my car to a tire shop Saturday morning and they told me they see this at least once or twice a week. This same place also told me to try to get something out of the dealership. They also said that if nothing else have the dealership get me the senser, but then bring it back to their tire shop and they would install the sensers because the dealership would surely charge an arm and a leg for the labor. The tire shop people are more than fair because they are from my small hometown and we've known each other for years. There won't be much cost at all in the labor and as of now I have found 4 sensers on the interent for a total of $320. Now if I can get the dealership to work with me I'm hoping it won't hurt my pocket book too badly.

[philipa_240sx]

There won't be much cost at all in the labor and as of now I have found 4 sensers on the interent for a total of $320. Now if I can get the dealership to work with me I'm hoping it won't hurt my pocket book too badly.

Gary, I'm not sure if your 'local' tire shop will have the tools to program the TPMS sensors into your Rogue. AFAIK, the only way to do this with a Nissan CONSULT III diagnostic tool or the Nissan Signal Tech II. You still have to go back to the dealer for programming if your tire shop lacks these tools.

[Gary1957]

Thanks for the heads up Philipa_240sx............. You've been a great help. I hope I get a service manager like you tomorrow!!!

[philipa_240sx]

Maybe Nissan should smarten up a bit on the TPMS thingy. There are vehicles (ie. Mazda), where you can program the TPMS sensors yourself and save an expensive visit to the dealer.

[Gary1957]

Went to the dealership yesterday and they told me I should have brought my car into them for servicing. Since I didn't that's why I have the problem because the stems needed to be lubricated. I live 25 miles away from the dealer, I had no idea there was ever a problem with these caps until now. No one told ME they needed lubbed up. But yeah, they spin it all on me and I pick up the cost........... Called Nissan today to see what they had to say. Told my story to a female and she said someone will review my problem tomorrow and they'll give me a call......... Actually, I think that between the dealership and Nissan they have everything rehearsed when explaining to a customer that it was someone elses mistake that caused my problem..... IMO, if those caps needed lubbed they should have told me that before I drove the car off the lot, but hey, in today's economy what's 4-5 or 600 bucks?

[philipa_240sx]

Gary1957,

IMHO, Lubing the caps is not a permanent solution. These aftermarket valve caps are typically made of chrome plated brass. When they cut the threads on the underside, it exposes the brass. The resulting galvanic corrosion will 'weld' the cap to the valve stem. The lube will only slow the corrosion process down, not eliminate it. The caps need to be replaced with suitable plastic ones for a permanent fix.

This issue is not related to Nissan's alone. Just about every TPMS sensor on the market is made of aluminum and they all have the same issue. Now that they are mandated in the USA, I am sure there are thousands upon thousands of cars with this issue. The dealer response will be the same for all:

"It's not covered under warranty as the aftermarket caps are not an OEM approved part."

This is stated in many new vehicle warranties including Nissan's.