Air Leak Through Aluminum Casting
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
Air Leak Through Aluminum Casting
One tire on my 79 kept going flat with a slow leak. After taking it to my local Tire King, I discovered it was air passing through the casting. The wheels are original that have been polished. Before I tried to seal it on the inside with JB Weld, I thought to check here first. Anybody have luck sealing a casting leak from the inside?
Last edited by Red 69; Sep 20, 2006 at 09:22 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
no need for anything like JB Weld. Something like spray on undercoating will work, happened to me on a set of cheap mags I had. Anything to make a seal on the metal. Run a brush wheel over the inside and spray it.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
Thanks guys, I happen to have a fresh opened can of POR-15 in silver, so I'll give it a try. It will cover a larger area with less affect on wheel balance. I will give a report in a few days.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 5
From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Originally Posted by Red 69
Thanks guys, I happen to have a fresh opened can of POR-15 in silver, so I'll give it a try. It will cover a larger area with less affect on wheel balance. I will give a report in a few days.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 1
From: Rosemount MN
There was a GN Technical Service Bulliten about this.
GM recommended finding the leak and applying a sealer on the inside of the wheel. recommended a specific sealer, don't remember the brand but sounds like you're on the right track.
GM recommended finding the leak and applying a sealer on the inside of the wheel. recommended a specific sealer, don't remember the brand but sounds like you're on the right track.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
Originally Posted by Red 69
Thanks guys, I happen to have a fresh opened can of POR-15 in silver, so I'll give it a try. It will cover a larger area with less affect on wheel balance. I will give a report in a few days.
Go for it!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by pws69
I bet it will work fine. That's some pretty killer stuff! I used it in combination with some fiberglass matting on a radiator support and it's like concrete!
Go for it!
Go for it!
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
As I said in my last message, I went with the POR-15 paint to seal the wheel casting air leak. After scuffing the aluminum with a brass wire brush and cleaning with Simple Green, I applied 3 light coats of POR-15 in silver. As you can see in the picture it made for a neat repair of the casting leak. I used 3 light coats as I didn't want to be taking the tire on and off. We checked the wheel carefully and no bubbles, so the POR repair was a success. Thanks again to those who rerplied, I probably would not have thought of paint as a solution.
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