• Got the Contributing Memberships stuff finally worked out and made up a thread as a sort of "How-To" to help people figure out how to participate. So if you need help figuring it out, here's the thread you need to take a look at -> http://www.corvetteflorida.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3581 Thank you, everyone! Rich Z.

Darn Murphy's Law!

Rich Z

Rich Z

Internet Sanitation Engineer
Staff member
Last week I had the C6 Coupe on the lift so I could change out the differential fluid, so while I had it up there I did some cleaning and inspecting. I noticed something in the right rear tire tread that looked like a problem. Piece of shiny looking metal sticking into the tread at an angle. It turned out to be a piece of wire about an inch long and I couldn't tell if it had protruded through into the pressurized portion of the tire. Putting liquid on the hold didn't produce any bubbles, but still..... Of course, we were planning on a trip the next day, and were going to drive that car. But I just put the portable air compressor in the trunk, figuring I could just monitor the air pressure from the DIC every now and again while we were driving.

So, we left that next morning and were about an hour out when the DIC yelped at us. At first I thought that the tire WAS leaking air and got low enough to trigger the alarm, but looking closer at the DIC it was saying that there was a an air pressure sensor failure. So I cycled through, and sure as heck, it was the sensor on the same tire that I wanted to monitor during the trip. Now, what are the odds? :banghead: Luckily I put an air gauge in the console before we left, so I could at least check the tire pressure every time we stopped.

Tire pressure seemed to hold up fine the entire trip, but it looks like it did lose maybe 3 psi. So I guess I'm going to have to buy a new sensor and get that leak checked out.

I guess in a previous life I must have done something to piss off Mr. Murphy, because I swear sometimes I feel like I'm on his "special" list.
 
If one died, the other three are not far behind. Bite the bullet and order 4 on line (cheaper than at the dealer) and have them all done at once. Since they typically do not move the tire on the rim, they should not have to re-balance the tire.
 
Yeah, that would be logical except that when the tires get worn down enough, I'm probably going to just replace the wheels with chrome ones anyway, so that would be the logical time to buy the new sensors.

We've only put 23,000 miles on the car since we got bought it new (2007), so it's not like we drive it a lot. The left rear tire had to be replaced not that long ago when we got a 1/4 inch bolt put through the tread coming home from a trip. Seems like there are a lot of road hazards between here and the Englewood area.
 
get the OEM ones made by schrader. don't get the titan made ones. there are issues getting them to sync.
 
mrr23 said:
get the OEM ones made by schrader. don't get the titan made ones. there are issues getting them to sync.
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I didn't see any specifically mentioning being built by either Schrader or Titan, so I ordered an OEM one from Rock Auto made by ACDELCO.

Thanks...
 
I replaced all four of mine earlier this year when I got new tires. I get all my parts from Clark Chevrolet in McAllen, Texas. They knock off about 40% from retail.
 
This one cost me right about $65. There were cheaper brands offered, but with this car stuff, cheaper isn't always the wisest choice.

I also ordered another TAC module while I was at it so I would have one on hand. I can send that bad one I've had sitting on the bench back as the core.
 
Rich Z said:
This one cost me right about $65. There were cheaper brands offered, but with this car stuff, cheaper isn't always the wisest choice.

I also ordered another TAC module while I was at it so I would have one on hand. I can send that bad one I've had sitting on the bench back as the core.
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Pretty sure I paid around $160-$180 for all four OEM's. If you go to their website they have the retail and discounted price listed.
 
85vette said:
Pretty sure I paid around $160-$180 for all four OEM's. If you go to their website they have the retail and discounted price listed.
Click to expand...

I'll keep that in mind when I need to order more of them. If I could find a set of runflats to fit on the C5Z I would like to install the sensors in those tires. There are just too many road hazards out there to be driving a car that doesn't have a spare tire or some better method of recovering from a punctured tire other than a can of Fix-A-Flat and an air pump. If one of the tires gets a bolt through it like what happened to the C6 Coupe I would be screwed. Not a chance that any local shop will have one of those tires in stock.
 
My car came with run-flats too, but fortunately it also has a spare tire well in the trunk as the regular Caddy CTS's had a donut spare. It's not big enough for a 245/45/18 tire mounted on the rim, but the tire alone fits in there. So I carry a tire along with a GOOD battery powered compressor and some "Green Slime". The fix-a-flat is VERY corrosive FYI. So if I bust a tire at least I have a replacement. Worst case scenario I have to get towed to a tire shop.
 
I guess I need to check what it is I have in the C5Z. Heck, I got that kit way before that car got butchered, so quite likely whatever the sealant is in the kit has likely expired anyway. Is any of that sealant stuff tire pressure sensor friendly?

Never heard about that problem with Fix-A-Flat, so that is good to know. Thanks....
 
Rich Z said:
I didn't see any specifically mentioning being built by either Schrader or Titan, so I ordered an OEM one from Rock Auto made by ACDELCO.

Thanks...
Click to expand...

acdelco ones are made by schrader. titan is an aftermarket company that makes tpms as well. people have a hard time getting them to sync.
 
Rich Z said:
I guess I need to check what it is I have in the C5Z. Heck, I got that kit way before that car got butchered, so quite likely whatever the sealant is in the kit has likely expired anyway. Is any of that sealant stuff tire pressure sensor friendly?

Never heard about that problem with Fix-A-Flat, so that is good to know. Thanks....
Click to expand...

this one is compatible with tpms
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Slime-TPMS-Safe-Tire-Sealant/16782754


note about fix a flat from their website

Will Fix-A-Flat® damage my tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)?
As stated on the can, it is important to have your tire inspected and repaired as soon as possible and notify the tire care professional that Fix-A-Flat® has been installed. At the time the affected tire is inspected by a tire care professional, they should clean the sealant from the tire, prepare the area and repair with a Rubber Manufacturer’s Association (RMA) approved patch/plug. The TPMS device should also be cleaned off with water to remove any sealant which may have come into contact with the device. After the repaired tire is replaced and inflated the TPMS system will resume operating as normal.
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You can get that Green Slime at Wal-Mart by the gallon too. We use it for many vehicles on the farm. Around $24 per gallon IIRC.
 
I ordered a Slime kit from Zoro Tools. I figure the one I have in the C5Z is probably kaput by now since it has to be a good 5 years old or more. I'm assuming they have a shelf life.

Maybe after the first of the year I'll check around and see if I can find a wheel/tire combo that will fit on that car where I can use runflat tires.
 
Rich Z said:
I ordered a Slime kit from Zoro Tools. I figure the one I have in the C5Z is probably kaput by now since it has to be a good 5 years old or more. I'm assuming they have a shelf life.

Maybe after the first of the year I'll check around and see if I can find a wheel/tire combo that will fit on that car where I can use runflat tires.
Click to expand...

There's a date code on the bottle. Mine has 2009 as the expiration on it.
 
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