Originally Posted by
3alarmer
...if the wheel has been rolling around flat for a while, it's possible to pull the stem out of the rim and that it might be in there somewhere, along with whatever tube. But this is hard on them and to save yourself several more trips, you might just go with a new tube regardless. I have learned this through several similar adventures.
We get similar situations at the co-op all the time, and it's sort of a judgement call. IME most kids like to get the opportunity to learn this stuff, though.
I suspect the previous tire pumper pulled the stem out after pumping the tyre while attempting to pull the pump head off. I'll go buy the tube. When I pull everything apart it the tube can indeed be salvaged, I'll give it a shot. But, I really think the valve stem in in a landfill somewhere.