Unable to Fill Tire with Air

[colinchrisc]

So I have an interesting problem that I can't seem to find the answer for.

I went to fill my tires today and for some reason I wasn't able to fill one of my rear tires with air.
When I attached the pump to the valve system of the tire, the gauge wouldn't even read the tire pressure OR allow me to fill the tire with air.

Anyone know why this is happening?

[Donutz]

What kind of guage and pump are you using? Sometimes a digital gauge will freeze up and can't take a reading. For this I say put it in your pants pocket for 5 mins. Your valve stem might be frozen.

[colinchrisc]

What kind of guage and pump are you using? Sometimes a digital gauge will freeze up and can't take a reading. For this I say put it in your pants pocket for 5 mins. Your valve stem might be frozen.

I'm using the $1 air pump at ESSO, so I guess you can say it's analog.
I also thought it could be frozen but wasn't sure if this was possible because I don't think any liquid can get into the valve if the cap is on...

[Donutz]

Ah, it could just be the fill station that's messed up. If it's in your budget by a $15 air pump from CDN Tire. I carry one in my car all year round; I find it most valuable during the winter (because I'm uptight about my tire pressure).

[Noisy Crow]

If someone dropped the air hose in the snow and then you used it, you could have blown ice into the valve stem, blocking it.

[colinchrisc]

If someone dropped the air hose in the snow and then you used it, you could have blown ice into the valve stem, blocking it.

You hit the nail on the head! I looked inside the valve and there was a ton of ice stuck in there so I let it melt in the garage and worked fine after that. Cheers.

[Noisy Crow]

You hit the nail on the head! I looked inside the valve and there was a ton of ice stuck in there so I let it melt in the garage and worked fine after that. Cheers.

Yay! Every now and then things actually turn out to be simple.... looks like today it was your turn!

[RTEnthusiast]

A bit off topic, but it seriously pisses me off how some gas stations charge for AIR! For godssake... AIR!

[whiteomega]

A bit off topic, but it seriously pisses me off how some gas stations charge for AIR! For godssake... AIR!

Buying the pump costs money; maintaining the pump costs money; running the pump costs money. I admit it's ridiculous that they charge a buck or two for air, but it isn't exactly free for them to provide the pump either.

[slam525i]

It is ridiculous they charge for it, but you can get a cheapie 12 volt pump from Canadian Tire and keep it in your car. This also means you won't get totally stranded just because of a slow leak. Also, it means you can have your tires inflated and checked when they're cold. (Pressure can increase quite a bit when warm.)

[Rob23]

A bit off topic, but it seriously pisses me off how some gas stations charge for AIR! For godssake... AIR!

if your a regular customer they will give it to you complimentary. well at esso anyways.

[BMWWW]

All of them have the option for the attendant to activate and waive the fees. You just have to buy something from the gas station--be it gas/carwash/jimmies/ect.

[Rob23]

All of them have the option for the attendant to activate and waive the fees. You just have to buy something from the gas station--be it gas/carwash/jimmies/ect.

the guy gives me free air when i don't buy anything, but he knows im there almost everyday either getting gas or a coffee.

[Rapster]

If you figure how many people use the pump daily/monthly/yearly that thing would pay for itself pretty quick when everyone's paying even $0.50 for air. Maintenance costs on them shouldn't be too much either, change oil and perhaps damage to hose/tip would be the most common.

Ah well, such as life now eh? Nothing seems to be free/complementary anymore.