Question about rim oxidation?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Question about rim oxidation?
Guys/gals,
I have a issue that I need help with. On my 98 vette with chrome wagon wheels. My LR tire keeps losing pressure. It is starting to happen with more regularity, to the point I am putting in air about twice a week. On average losing about 4 to 5 psi over a weeks time.
Took the car to Tire Discounters, to have them look it over. They pulled the tire off the rim and lo and behold green oxidation. They said that is why I keep losing pressure. That the entire rim is chromed, both outer surface area and inner area, and when it starts to oxidize (sp) the seal is not as tight. Therefore causing loss of pressure. Now I am not mechanically inclined, so is this just a line of bs, or is what the guy said true? Are chrome rims are only good for a while until they start to oxidize? What should I do? Get new rims, or maybe rechromed?
Thanks for any thoughts you guys have.
Vertigo
I have a issue that I need help with. On my 98 vette with chrome wagon wheels. My LR tire keeps losing pressure. It is starting to happen with more regularity, to the point I am putting in air about twice a week. On average losing about 4 to 5 psi over a weeks time.
Took the car to Tire Discounters, to have them look it over. They pulled the tire off the rim and lo and behold green oxidation. They said that is why I keep losing pressure. That the entire rim is chromed, both outer surface area and inner area, and when it starts to oxidize (sp) the seal is not as tight. Therefore causing loss of pressure. Now I am not mechanically inclined, so is this just a line of bs, or is what the guy said true? Are chrome rims are only good for a while until they start to oxidize? What should I do? Get new rims, or maybe rechromed?
Thanks for any thoughts you guys have.
Vertigo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 7
From: the GOCC are everywhere, even back from "band camp"
Hmmm, I smell 
Seriously, the chrome is not what holds the air in the rim, so oxidization alone will not cause this loss of air. Now, if the corrosion is bad enough in the bead seat that the tire is not seating that could be true. Serious rust & corrosion could cause this; in which case dismount the tires, take some Scotch-Brite and clean the bead seat area as much as possible. I'd replace the valve stems or pressure sensor O-rings and check the tires all over too.
Bruce
Okay, re-read your post and my reply - there may be truth in both our comments. My answer is the same: dis-mount (the tires) clean, replace stem or O-ring and re-install. Is it one tire or all of them?
Seriously, the chrome is not what holds the air in the rim, so oxidization alone will not cause this loss of air. Now, if the corrosion is bad enough in the bead seat that the tire is not seating that could be true. Serious rust & corrosion could cause this; in which case dismount the tires, take some Scotch-Brite and clean the bead seat area as much as possible. I'd replace the valve stems or pressure sensor O-rings and check the tires all over too.Bruce
Okay, re-read your post and my reply - there may be truth in both our comments. My answer is the same: dis-mount (the tires) clean, replace stem or O-ring and re-install. Is it one tire or all of them?
Last edited by b_pappy; Mar 19, 2005 at 02:09 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Bruce,
Thanks for the quick reply. Mostly just one tire. I have some slight leakage in the RR but not nearly as bad. Maybe a pound a month if that. So I guess the answer is not really. Mostly just in that LR tire.
When the guy at the shop showed me the tire, it did look pretty bad in there. They pulled out some scrapping device and tried to grind some of it off, but I guess that didnt help. They also tried to sell me some repo rims right there on the spot
, needless to say I didnt bite. I wanted to ask here first. I would probably need to take it back to a shop to have them do what you suggested. As I don't have the tools or skills lol do to that here at the house =)
Vertigo
Thanks for the quick reply. Mostly just one tire. I have some slight leakage in the RR but not nearly as bad. Maybe a pound a month if that. So I guess the answer is not really. Mostly just in that LR tire.
When the guy at the shop showed me the tire, it did look pretty bad in there. They pulled out some scrapping device and tried to grind some of it off, but I guess that didnt help. They also tried to sell me some repo rims right there on the spot
, needless to say I didnt bite. I wanted to ask here first. I would probably need to take it back to a shop to have them do what you suggested. As I don't have the tools or skills lol do to that here at the house =)Vertigo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 7
From: the GOCC are everywhere, even back from "band camp"
No problem. When you do the cleaning leave the tire at the LR position, move the rim to the other side, see where the leak goes. Have them dis-mount the tire and then take them home and clean them up yourself. Then back for re-mounting. I wondered if he tried to sell you a rim. Don't forget to change the stem or O-ring.
Bruce
Bruce
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 7
From: the GOCC are everywhere, even back from "band camp"
Glad to finally of been of help around here. With so much knowledge available my small amount usually isn't worth contributing. As a former wheel designer this was right up my alley.
Bruce
Bruce
