how to fix leak in tire w/o dismounting??

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imported_nadir

New member
well, I don't know how the problem developed, but in the past week it has eventually gotten worse to the point where it's about half-flat this morning. I filled air up yesterday and drove about 150mi. but didn't notice a change in pressure till overnight.



Is there anyway I can patch this from the OUTSIDE or some sort of product that could help w/o dismounting the tire? I am planning to change all my tires by the end of the month... please, any help would be much appreciated.
 
If it's a nail hole IN THE TREAD, you can get a plug kit pretty much anywhere from auto supply to WalMart. Pretty quick and simple. You can use soapy water in a spray bottle to help find the leak.
 
If you use fix-a-flat, don't make it a long term thing. It will work for a few weeks and go down again. Plus, as you keep using the product and it gets old and dries (and it will eventually) it will throw your tire out of balance.....I have used the plugs before. Only takes a few seconds and you are good to go.
 
If you go to Discount Tire, they will credit the price of the patch against a new set. I just paid $13 to patch a tire & they said hold on to the receipt and when I buy a new set they'll knock off the $13. Doesn't seem to be any time limit on it.
 
I won't use Fix-a Flat again, I used it this spring and it was fine for about a week. After that it made my wheels so out of balance, no matter what anyone did they would vibrate.

I finaly got a new set of tires after I couldn't take it any more.
 
Go with the plugs if you don't want to take off your tire. Fix-a-Flat is only for going to the repair place. I've had plugs done for about $9 and it lasted for the life of the tire.
 
I just plugged my second hole to go along with a patch this weekend, all from one tire. I have hit 3 nails with the same tire!



I bought a new tire and will mount because they are low profile Z rated and I don't want to be riding around on 1 patch and 2 plugs!



You think TireRack would credit me towards that new tire if I show them receipts?
 
Don’t mess or cheap out with your tires. The potential for blow out while driving is too great. Take the car or wheel to a tire shop and have it fixed the correct way (from the inside with a patch/plug combo). The cost is not great and well worth it. Stay away from fix-a-flat, except in emergencies. Many times tire shops will charge extra for repair or replacing tires that fix-a-flat has been used in because of the god awful mess it makes.



Stepping up on soap box and ranting: I don’t understand why people cheap out on tires. Tires arguably are the most important feature on your car. For example, you can have the best brakes in the world but if you have cheap tires or tires in horrible condition the stopping will be no better than horrible worn out brakes. Haven’t the blow outs and the horrible results on Explorers effected anyone? What about handling and maneuvering to avoid accidents? I just don’t understand why people will spend $30 to try the latest and greatest wax but won’t spend $18 dollars to get their tire repaired correctly.



Ok Rant off: I feel better :D I am not singling anyone out here, in fact this probably as a result of a discussion with a superior at work who has a very nice 7 series BMW but came to me to find the “cheapest tires what will fit, because I hate spending money on tires� This came from someone who spends $500 on a pair of shoes and wears a Rolex. I just don’t understand.
 
Agreed.

I have a patch kit and foot pump in my trunk and a patch kit with CO2 cartidges for my bike.

I never drive/ride plugged for a long time, only to get to a shop. At the very least get it patched from the inside. Get the dern road hazard thing when you buy tires and it'll be replaced for cheap.:xyxthumbs
 
bet993 said:
I am not singling anyone out here, in fact this probably as a result of a discussion with a superior at work who has a very nice 7 series BMW but came to me to find the “cheapest tires what will fit, because I hate spending money on tires� This came from someone who spends $500 on a pair of shoes and wears a Rolex. I just don’t understand. [/B]
Click to expand...



Not to get too OT here, but I saw this nearly every day when I worked at a tire store in a more affluent part of town. Some customers would gripe and moan about having to spend $600 for tires for a $50k car. :rolleyes: These same people probably pay $50 to play golf or have no problem dropping a few thousand on a home entertainment system.



I don't understand why buying tires isn't as fun for some people as electronic gadjets, golf clubs, fancy watches, or shoes. :D
 
you could also be leaking air from around the rim, which corrodes over time making it impossible to get a good seal with the tire without sanding down the corrosion.
 
Chris325i said:
If you go to Discount Tire, they will credit the price of the patch against a new set. I just paid $13 to patch a tire & they said hold on to the receipt and when I buy a new set they'll knock off the $13. Doesn't seem to be any time limit on it.
Click to expand...



The Discount Tires in my area fix flats for free, even if you didn't buy the tires there.
 
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