Most tire leaks come from one of five places: the bead, the valve core, the valve stem or TPMS stem, a puncture in the tread, or the wheel itself through porosity or a crack. Inflate the tire, spray Bubble Check on each point, and watch for bubbles that keep forming in the same spot. The Leak Lab shows where to spray for each leak, what the bubbles look like, and what to do next.
Which leak is it?
| Leak | Where to spray | What you see | What to do next |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bead leak | Full tire-to-rim line, both sides | Small bubbles building along one arc | Demount, clean and inspect the bead seat |
| Valve core | Open end of the stem, cap off | A bubble that keeps forming at the opening | Snug the core, retest, replace if needed |
| Valve stem or TPMS stem | Base of the stem; flex rubber stems | A ring of bubbles at the base, or at a crack | New stem, or new TPMS service kit to spec |
| Tread puncture | Tread in sections; rotate the tire | Steady bubbles at a nail, screw, or cut | Repair from inside if in the tread area; else replace |
| Wheel porosity or crack | Inner barrel, spoke roots, face | Pinpoint seeps, or a line along a crack | Seal porosity from inside; replace a cracked wheel |
| Slow leak you can't find | Every point above, in order | Fine foam that grows over a minute or more | Recheck in 24 hours at a similar temperature |
Leak Lab guides
How do you run a Bubble Check test?
- Inflate the tire to its specified pressure. A soft tire may not push enough air to show a slow leak.
- Spray Bubble Check on the area and give it time. A slow leak can take a little while to show.
- Watch for bubbles that keep forming at the same point. The first light foam from the spray settles; a leak keeps building.
- Mark the spot with a tire crayon before you wipe the area dry.
What is Bubble Check?
Bubble Check is the CHAOS Moto spray-on tire leak detector. It comes in a 32 oz bottle with a trigger sprayer, so you check the tire on the wheel with no dunk tank needed. Shops use it to pinpoint valve and bead leaks and for TPMS stem checks. Bubble Check is made in the USA.
Buy it on chaosmoto.com, through the distributors on where to buy, or direct from CHAOS sales at sales@chaosmoto.com or 480-829-7888. Bubble Check is not currently sold on Amazon.
Common questions
Where do most tire leaks come from?
From one of five places: the bead, the valve core, the valve stem or TPMS stem, a puncture in the tread, or the wheel itself through porosity or a crack.
Can you find a tire leak without a dunk tank?
Yes. Bubble Check is a spray-on leak detector in a 32 oz bottle with a trigger sprayer. Spray the suspected point on the inflated tire and watch for bubbles that keep forming.
Can Bubble Check be used on TPMS valve stems?
Yes. Shops use it for TPMS stem checks as well as valve and bead leaks.
Where should I spray first on a slow leak?
Start with the valve core and stem, then the tread, then both beads, then the wheel. The inner bead and inner barrel are the most often missed.
Is Bubble Check sold on Amazon?
No. Bubble Check is not currently sold on Amazon. Buy it on chaosmoto.com, through tire-supply distributors, or direct from CHAOS sales.
Related: how to find a slow tire leak, using Bubble Check on TPMS, valve stem, and bead leaks, and twelve leak points.