Estimate my car repair cost (TPMS sensor-related) December 19, 2012   Subscribe I broke a part of my car's tire valve (the TPMS sensor, maybe?), dropped my car off at the tire shop and realized I have no idea how much this will set me back. Does anyone have an idea what these repairs might run me?If your tire has a slow air leak and you can't figure out why, it could be time to repair the tire valve. Replacing or repairing a tire valve is inexpensive, quick and easy. Having the work done at a shop could cost you $20 to $30 but you can do it yourself in under 10 minutes of time and for less than $5, here's how. Before you begin you will need a couple of tools to assist you in the repair. You will need a valve stem tool and a replacement valve core. Both of these should be readily available from any auto parts store. The valve stem tool is shaped like a "+" symbol. First, you need to determine if your valve stem is leaking or not. You can do this by rubbing a mixture of dish soap and water over the uncapped valve stem with your finger.

If bubbles begin to form it means air is escaping and the valve is leaking. If no air escapes you could have another slow leak elsewhere in the tire. Now that you have determined the valve is bad, you need to deflate the tire. It is best to remove the tire in order to make this repair. While it is possible to make this repair when the tire is attached to the car it is always important to remember safety first. If the vehicle is jacked up, don't wrench on the tire or else you could pull the car off the jack. Once the tire is deflated, use the valve stem tool to unscrew the valve from the tire. It is important to note that the tire needs to be completely deflated before you remove the old core. Any pressure inside the tire will cause the core to shoot out of the damage potentially causing bodily harm. It is a good idea to wear safety glasses just in case. Dispose of the old valve core. Using the tapered end of the valve core tool clean the valve stem. Make sure you keep the opening clean of debris and dirt and that any obstructions are removed from the area and inside the tire.

Install the new core using the valve stem tool. The same end of the tool that was used to remove the old core should be used to install the new one. Tighten the new valve by hand but be sure not to over tighten it or you could damage your repair, forcing the new valve to leak. Once installed, re-inflate your tire and replace the valve cap.Laminate Flooring No Credit Check In 5 simple steps and 10 minutes you have just successfully replaced your tire valve. Town And Country Movers CouponSome tire dealers will attempt to sell customers new tires when they have slow leaks, potentially costing you a lot of money. Find A Pug Puppy For SaleRepairing a tire valve is quick and easy and can greatly extend the life of your tires. Add a personal message:(80

Q. I recently wanted to check the air pressure of the tires on my car after hearing you talk about how important it is on your radio program. I noticed that one of the valve stems was bent and the air gauge wouldn’t read any pressure. I went to a local tire store to inquire about having the valve stem replaced and was told that it would cost about $75. The last tire valve I had replaced cost $5. A. It certainly is possible if your car uses a tire pressure monitoring system. Some of these systems use a sensor that is part of the valve stem. This sensor transmits information to the car’s computer to let the driver know if there is a low tire. Q. I purchased a Toyota Camry new in 2005 and the engine has been loud since day one. It is louder when the car is cold and I have been warming it up before I drive. Is there some sort of valve adjustment to stop this noise? A. The valves in this engine are adjustable and they should certainly be checked, though the noise may be coming from a variety sources.

A common problem with some of these models is the tensioner for the drive belt which will rattle and make noise, as well as a failure of the harmonic balancer (recent recall). A good technician should be able to determine where the noise is coming from with a mechanic’s stethoscope or other suitable tool. Q. Why is my Honda Accord with a V-6 engine designed to run on regular gas, while smaller cars such as the Civic Si and Acura TSX require premium fuel? I noticed that small, high performance cars need premium, and bigger cars with bigger engines only need regular fuel. Can I use regular fuel in a car that requires premium and premium fuel in a car that only needs regular? A. A small, higher performance engine relies on premium fuel to take advantage of its higher compression. It is this high compression that develops the extra power and performance that buyers of sporty cars seek. Using premium fuel in an engine that doesn’t require it is just a waste of money. Using regular fuel in an engine that is designed for premium can reduce the engine performance and in some cases fuel economy.

Q. After driving on some poorly maintained roads, I am now hearing a loud sound from the driver’s side of the car. It sounds like a loud muffler noise, like there might be a hole in the muffler or broken pipe. But here is the weird part, I parked at night and the sound was not there but when I started the vehicle the next morning I immediately heard this noise that seems like it is starting to get louder. A. The problem could be a cracked exhaust manifold or exhaust pipe. When the engine gets hot, the crack expands and seals itself. I would recommend leaving the car overnight at a repair shop to allow the mechanic to start the engine when it is cold. This should help pinpoint the leak. Q.I have a problem with a funky odor coming from my vents when I turn on the fan in my car. When I turn on the air conditioning, the odor goes away. The dealership where I took the vehicle for service replaced the cabin air filter thinking this would solve the problem. This was only about a month ago.

I've only owned this vehicle for about a year and didn't have any odor problems last year. It is a 2006 Buick Lacrosse. It seems the high humidity and any rainfall causes this odor. You previously helped me with a steering column noise and I was wondering what your thoughts are on this odor? A. The problem could be a build-up of mold and mildew in the air conditioner duct work, plenum, or A/C evaporator. This can happen if you use the air conditioner routinely on the recirculation or max-air setting. Spraying the heater/air conditioner intake and duct work with a disinfectant could remedy the odor. In addition, make sure the air conditioner drain is clear. If this doesn’t work, a repair shop might try a microbial cleaner sprayed deeper into the air conditioner system. Q. Perhaps you can help me regarding my 1994 Ford Taurus. I’m looking for a replacement key-fob remote that operates the car's door locks and also arms and disarms the alarm system. I checked with the Ford dealer and was told it could take up to four weeks for a replacement.