Fix-a-flat
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Le Mans Master
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From: Greenville SC
Fix-a-flat
I got a nail in my front tire, used a can of fix-a-flat. I will be putting new tires on in a week or 2, will this be OK until then or do I need to get it patched ASAP?
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St. Jude Donor '08
I would get it fixed ASAP. Everytime I've used the stuff it has thrown my wheel balance off considerably. Can't be good for suspension parts / wheel bearing. My .02
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From: Greenville SC
Originally Posted by eschoendorff
I would get it fixed ASAP. Everytime I've used the stuff it has thrown my wheel balance off considerably. Can't be good for suspension parts / wheel bearing. My .02
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Originally Posted by 95wht6spd
I can see that in the long term, but I will be putting new tire on in a week or 2. I just want to make sure it doesn't go flat again, and it is safe.
Fix a flat is ok! Just be sure you follow directions and drive the car for a few miles after you put it in. If you don't, it could bunch up in one spot and throw the balance out.
Truth be known, I have run it in all 4 wheels to make a better seal at the rims and I carry a can as a spare
Jack
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That stuff is terrible if you have to keep using it, so I wouldnt use more than 1 can of it before having the tire fixed.
It just gunks up the inside of the tire and causes alot of wear on suspension pieces.
But its fine to use it until you get your tire fixed, yes.
It just gunks up the inside of the tire and causes alot of wear on suspension pieces.
But its fine to use it until you get your tire fixed, yes.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Champaign, IL
St. Jude Donor '05
make sure you tell the tire place when you take the car in, they like to be warned in advance because the stuff is nasty and will make a mess 
(some tire shops charge extra)
and don't use fix a flat if you have tire sensors there is a tech bullitan about it possibly damaging the sensors
(some tire shops charge extra) and don't use fix a flat if you have tire sensors there is a tech bullitan about it possibly damaging the sensors
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Originally Posted by vader86
That stuff is terrible if you have to keep using it, so I wouldnt use more than 1 can of it before having the tire fixed.
It just gunks up the inside of the tire and causes alot of wear on suspension pieces.
But its fine to use it until you get your tire fixed, yes.
It just gunks up the inside of the tire and causes alot of wear on suspension pieces.
But its fine to use it until you get your tire fixed, yes.
Sorry, and not trying to be argumentative...my experience is first hand over five year, two sets of wheels and three sets of tires...
1st, why do you say it gunks up the inside of the tire? The only residue I have ever found is water
2nd, how does it cause a lot of wear on the suspension pieces? If you don't squirt it on the suspension pieces, how does it get to them?
3rd, I have never had a legitimate tire shop raise an objection. There are some tire shops who will try to charge you extra for any little thing they can come up with and think they can get away with.
4th, assuming that it is nasty, screws up your suspension parts, why is it fine to use it till you get your tire fixed? Is there a time period before it gets nasty and screws up your suspension pieces? When they fix your tire, they don't remove the stuff. They don't clean your suspension pieces.
Sorry, again I am not trying to be argumentative, just trying to figure out why what has worked for me isn't right.
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Le Mans Master
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From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
In my case, it was probably (in all honesty) because I did not drive the car much after I put the fix-a-flat in. It probably bunched up in one spot, as was stated. All I remember is a horrendous vibration after using the stuff... and that the tire shop had a load of goop to clean out of the tire.
That being said, if others have had better results and you are going to get the tire fixed in the near future... go with what they say....
That being said, if others have had better results and you are going to get the tire fixed in the near future... go with what they say....
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Originally Posted by jackdaroofer
1st, why do you say it gunks up the inside of the tire? The only residue I have ever found is water
2nd, how does it cause a lot of wear on the suspension pieces? If you don't squirt it on the suspension pieces, how does it get to them?
3rd, I have never had a legitimate tire shop raise an objection. There are some tire shops who will try to charge you extra for any little thing they can come up with and think they can get away with.
4th, assuming that it is nasty, screws up your suspension parts, why is it fine to use it till you get your tire fixed? Is there a time period before it gets nasty and screws up your suspension pieces? When they fix your tire, they don't remove the stuff. They don't clean your suspension pieces.
Sorry, again I am not trying to be argumentative, just trying to figure out why what has worked for me isn't right.
2nd, how does it cause a lot of wear on the suspension pieces? If you don't squirt it on the suspension pieces, how does it get to them?
3rd, I have never had a legitimate tire shop raise an objection. There are some tire shops who will try to charge you extra for any little thing they can come up with and think they can get away with.
4th, assuming that it is nasty, screws up your suspension parts, why is it fine to use it till you get your tire fixed? Is there a time period before it gets nasty and screws up your suspension pieces? When they fix your tire, they don't remove the stuff. They don't clean your suspension pieces.
Sorry, again I am not trying to be argumentative, just trying to figure out why what has worked for me isn't right.
2. Because that gunk will throw off the balancing and cause toe rod wear, among other things.
3. see my cousin's case, that tire shop told her she was stupid, and so did i, for having put so much in and not having a $20 repair done
4. Because if you only put in 1 can, drive it immediately, there wont be enough of the sh** in there to gunk up and form lumps, its only supposed to be used to get you to a servicer, not as a permanent add-in to your tires.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Anchorage Alaska
Wile we are on the subject of Fix-a-Flat. Does any one know of what solvent will clean it off. I have a wheel that is gummed up with it. On the can it says to clean it off with "Cement Solvent" for vulconized rubber patches. I haven't found a parts guy/gal that know what it is. It would be easier if the can identified the solvent like acetone, MEK, solvent or naptha. Thanks.
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FWIW my tire guy has told me a couple of times to let him know if I have used that stuff...no extra charge, but he definately wants to know ahead of time when dismounting that tire...
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I have tried it on the IROC in the past and it didn't plug the leak, so I then used a plug kit which I now carry in both cars.
However, if it worked for you and the tire is holding air it may be ok for a week or two. But I would pick up a tire plug kit along with a good set of dykes in case the tire looses air. In face, siince I don't carry a spare in the Vette, these and a cell phone are my recourse in case of tire problems.
However, if it worked for you and the tire is holding air it may be ok for a week or two. But I would pick up a tire plug kit along with a good set of dykes in case the tire looses air. In face, siince I don't carry a spare in the Vette, these and a cell phone are my recourse in case of tire problems.
