Hi. I have a brand new 2006 S2000 with about 350 miles on the odometer. I went to the gas station air pump for the first time today and had a real nightmare. I couldn't get air to go in my 2 left tires.

I kept trying all kinds of things to solve the problem: pushing harder on the air handle, or trying to realign the air shaft, but after holding the air pump to my tire, and measuring the air pressure, it seemed I lost 2 pounds instead of gaining air pressure in my tires. I could hear air coming out instead of quietly going in.

Finally, with people waiting, I got barely enough air in my tires, abut 33 psi, to drive away. But I'd really like to know the cause of this problem and what I can do about it next time.

 

have you tried a different air pump? sometimes it's the air pump itself, not necessarily your valve stem.

 

I don't think the problem is with the air pump because the people in front of me and behind me seem to have no problem. Is there a way or a technique to ensure that the air goes in the tire correctly?

 

Barely got enough air in at 33PSI? 32 FTW!!!!

 

Yea I know but that was when the tires were warm because I drove to the air pump gas station. After checking it again cold, it is now down to 31 psi.

 

lots of public air pump nozzles are missing the rubber gasket required to make a proper seal or have the center pin damaged/bent so that it won't push down the valve pin in your valve stems properly. avoid this problen by purchasing your own air pump. This will also avoid the initial shot of condensed water that the public compressors so often throw out.
Cheers,
Mike

 

Thanks, CaptainMike, that sounds exactly like what was happening. Can anyone recommend a good solid air pump to purchase?

 

I've never had a problem with the generic 12v compressors that you can pick up at any automotive store. I've had a few because I've just given them away with cars as I've sold em. Don't ask me why, an incentive I suppose

 

I have an AC at home.

The tank will hold 125psi, but I have to regulate it down to below 50 in order for it to pass air into the tires. I speculate that when I am pushing the fitting over the valve at pressures higher than 50psi, the pressure from the line is to strong or 'stiff' for the tire valve to press the hose fitting valve open properly.

No matter how hard or different I press, I am simply letting air out of the tires.

When I lower the pressure in the line with a regulator, it works like a charm.

 

[QUOTE=MikeyCB,Nov 4 2006, 05:48 PM] I've never had a problem with the generic 12v compressors that you can pick up at any automotive store.