dmoore

I have a small air leak in my run flat tire. Can you safely patch a run flat? Its just a small nail hole?

CHUXDRM

Yes, you can, if it's in the tread, which I assume it is. They will need to dismount tire ( at least one side), lay patch, then remount. Will need to go to tire dealer that can handle runflats.

I had one patched like this 15,000+ miles ago, never know the difference. Good luck.

don.donc

Joe C

we were at ocean city (md) a couple years ago, and one in our group picked up a nail in her 1998's runflats. after spending a couple hours of heariing, "we can't fix runflats", or "only a goodyear store can fix those", she found a kid working at a garage - he pulled out a plug repair kit, and plugged the thing, without dismounting it. anyway, after almost 2 years, the thing is still holding. not sure if i'd trust a plug on a z-rated tire at 150mph, but for everyday street use, it seems to be working just fine.

Vetteman Jack

I've had them patched before and they have performed with no problems. Just be sure they use the plug and patch method of repair.

robsc501

DMOORE,
I had a nail in my tire. Bought the car(01) in new york. Drove a 166 miles to my home.(tire monitor never indicated leakage). Put the car on jacks(to paint mufflers & brake calibers) & found right rear tire had a nail in it.I pulled it out figured it would not leak, started to leak. Pushed it back in & it stopped leaking.I noticed it was in a long time (rust) I took it to a g/y dealer & had it repaired. $36. dollars. The nail went through both liners. They had to hot patch the inner & outer liner.Only problem was they put on the wrong type of wheel weight. Can,t use lead on corvettes wheels. You have to use polyester coated weights in order to prevent corrision.(new weights installed at chevy dealer) I didn,t know this at first until I read it in the shop manual. 6 months have passed no leakage, tire monitor system ok, no vibrations,no rust on wheel.
robsc5vette

rws.1

others call them a mushroom plug.
an all in one patch/plug combo. done from inside.

the alteranate to polyester coated crimp on weights is stick on weights. Not quite as accurate but a lot less unsightly.

bighank

I plugged my GY EMT and ran about 20K on it before replacing the tire. Didn't take it to the track but had the car up to 80 or 90 occasionally.
If you are really worried have the tire demounted valcanized with a patch inside and then get it rebalanced. BIGHANK

ryoder

I plugged mine by myself in the garage, took 10 minutes.
The way I see it, runflats are the perfect tire for plugs because if for whatever reason the plug comes out you are not screwed.
I haven't had any trouble since plugging mine.

EdsC6Z06

Plug will work fine, but an inside patch is a better repair. You might have trouble finding a shop to do the work. Runflats are a real PIA to mount and dismount, so most shops shy away from repairing them claiming it's not "safe".

DeeGee

You can repair up to 2 holes without losing the rating. As the others have said use a patch and plug repair.

The only caveat is it mustn't have damaged the inside of the sidewall.

moserbe

Not a problem as long as it's not in the side wall of the tire.