iskcon

First time poster here...

I have a C300 and a broken tire valve (please see picture).

Air has been leaking very slowly and of course I can't put any air into the tire.

Is there any way I can replace just this valve stem or do I have to replace the whole TPMS sensor? If the latter, can someone please give me the TPMS part # (previous threads say to buy them from TireRack but I don't see them? And where would I get them reprogrammed?)

Thank you.

Edit: Ok I see that I have to call TireRack to order the TPMS and it seems like it will reprogram itself. But, I still would like advice on whether I can just somehow repair this valve stem or replace the whole sensor.

416to212

This is a common problem with these valve stems. There must be other threads about this.... gonna go searching now.

aowhaus

unforunately the valve stems are a part of the TPMS sensor and have been known to be brittle or corrode fairly quickly.
I had one of mine replaced with an OEM sensor, and recently the other 3 were shot. I had enough of these sensors that I had my dealership replace them with non-sensor stems (much cheaper without the future headaches). Because I still have the newer sensor on one of my tires I do not get the annoying TPMS warning message on my dash if you did with no sensors at all.

If you really want to keep the TPMS function, I recommend getting aftermarket sensors which are much cheaper (don't know if they will corrode and deteriorate like the OEMs). Tire Rack is the best place to get them.
You will need to get sensors that have a 433MHz frequency.

jimmythegreek

The information posted above is WRONG. You can replace just the stem, without replacing teh TPMS. I have many sets of 433 mhz sensors, I have 5 sets of wheels. The sensor just piggy backs teh stem, its square on the bottom. My one set of wheels I cant install TPMS, so I have bands around the inside of the wheel with jsut the TPMS wing. There is a rebuild kit from the dealer, its 11 dollars with new stem and Oring. U have to dismount the tire and be careful not to crack the base of the TPMS. I wouldnt use the tire rack sensors, theres lots of cheap ones on ebay even new ones. I am 100% positive of this info, done it more than once myself

* if you really need a picture I can seperate one of my spares and post a pic if it will help u understand better. Let me know*

iskcon

If you could please, I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm also from Northern NJ (judging from your bio) so if you could help me out, I'd pay you for your time. Thanks.

aowhaus

Thanks jimmy, that is good to know.

I still kept the old sensors that the dealership removed, sounds like they could be still salvaged. Is there a part number for the rebuild kit?

RobertG

To prevent future failures, replace your valve stem caps with non metalic ones. I know that they are plain and ugly but will not seize.

tanktube67

+1

I replaced my nice fancy valve caps with plastic caps, after reading so many valve steams failures threads

Stevedotmil

Good info about these. I was wondering how many have broken too.

RLE

While you are deciding what to do, clean those filthy wheels.

RickP330

mine broke too. $97 per valve to get it fixed at the dealer. Welcome to the club. I have plastic caps now too....
RP

jimmythegreek

I will post pics in the morning for u guys on how to separate the stem from the sensor. The trick I use is anti-seize on the stem seat for the TPMS valve stem and I use metal caps but I lube those too. Ive run nitrogen in my last 2 sets of wheels I have been running most of the summer and I havent had any fluctuation of PSI, the stuff really works well. I notice up to 5 psi difference from a brisk morning to a warm day this time last year and I dont change even 1 psi this week with nitrogen

AlonzoMosely

Add another one to the broken valve stems. I can't figure out how it even happened. I put air in last Sunday, so I know it was fine then. Did not drive the car until yesterday, and then discovered it this afternoon. Only parked in a driveway and in 'straight in' parking lots so I know it could not be from hitting a curb, so the only thing I can think is that it broke when I hit a a pile of snow/slush from the weekend's storm. What a pain in the a**, I hate TPMS. I've had more issues with 3 months of an MB than 5 years with a Camry...

patdown45

mine just broke as well 2010 c300 sport still under warrenty but i dont know if they will cover a valve stem, good to know they dont have to change out the tpms unit

w204.chris

So today after a week of not driving my car I noticed my tire low on rear passenger side, so the leak is coming from the beginning part of the stem so I guess all I have to do is replace the valve stem. also some of ya was talking about changing to plastic or non metallic caps (is this the cap that traps the air?), where can I get this?

TimC300

I got all the parts at my local Autozone. Schrader kit 20013. I forget the part# for the stem.





I think this may be the stem I used. Part# 20020. I have the mercedes sensors.

TimC300

They are only held together by the sleeve, unscrew it and then pull the sensor to slide the rubber gasket off the stem.











The trick is using a floor jack to push the tire from the rim so you can reach in and swap the sensor. After not being able to remove my lug nuts because they were on so tight after having a sensor replaced at a local tire shop I taught myself how to do it in my basement.