Slow Leak in Run Flat

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Apr 17, 2006 | 07:01 AM

VinnieR

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Slow Leak in Run Flat

I lose 3-5 PSI per week in one of my OEM Goodyear run flats whether I put 100 miles on it or 500. Not the end of the world because I've got a good compressor in the shop, but is a pita. Worry if I'm on the road and it gets worse, too.

Anyone had any luck fixing slow leaks. I usually go to Discount Tire for tires and service (for my other cars). In your experience, do they know anything about vettes, how to jack them up properly, and repairing run flats? Should I go somewhere else? Are we talking about a new tire? The current ones only have about 6K miles and I'm not ready to replace them if I don't have to.

Apr 17, 2006 | 07:11 AM

talon90

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Quote:

Originally Posted by VinnieR

Have you tried to determine the cause? Put a few drops of dish soap in a glass of water and mix it up. pour a little around the valve stem or around the bead of the tire and see if it bubbles up. The only time I've had a leak in my setup was when I had my tires and sensors transferred over to new wheels. The shop didn't tighten the nut for the TPS. I got home and gave it a turn and a half and voila, leak was gone.

Apr 17, 2006 | 08:05 AM

Crooze

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I had a leak for the past week after getting new tires and it ended up being the nut on the valve wasn't tight enough.

Apr 17, 2006 | 08:23 AM

Vetteman Jack

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Discount Tire seems to do a good job - but like any shop, it depends on the people at your particular one. If you do have a nail in the tire, it can be repaired depending on where the nail is (sidewall or close to sidewall it may not be repairable). The shop should use the plug and patch method for repair.

Apr 17, 2006 | 09:00 AM

Benpup

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HAd the same thing and ended up buying a new rim. Cracked rim had been on there since the previous owner. It was on the inside of the time and could barely be seen with the tire off the car. Drove me crazy for a few days. Check the O-ring around the valve stem and the rim.
A friend of mine had to have his tire taken off and reinstalled (reseated) to get rid of his slow leak.

Apr 17, 2006 | 09:03 AM

VinnieR

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Thanks, I'm going to check the nut tonight. If no joy, off to Discount Tire.

Apr 17, 2006 | 09:11 AM

ankle-biter

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Quote:

Originally Posted by VinnieR

..... I usually go to Discount Tire for tires and service (for my other cars). In your experience, do they know anything about vettes, how to jack them up properly, and repairing run flats? Should I go somewhere else? Are we talking about a new tire? The current ones only have about 6K miles and I'm not ready to replace them if I don't have to.

You may want to keep an eye on the person(s) doing the lifting. I had the front fender pop out due to them not knowing where the lift point is on my Z28 and lifting it via the tab underneathe...a no no. You need to constantly keep an eye on what's going on. Have a corvette shop that has the equipment do the repair, at least they know the procedures for lifting, it may cost you a little more...tire removal from the rim is another adventure if not done properly.

Apr 17, 2006 | 12:49 PM

pewter1999

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From: limerick pa

I took my slow leaking tire and laid it on the ground and pour the soap mixture around the rim where the tire meets and found the leak. The local shop fixed the problem by demounting and cleaning the rim and bead. About a $5.00 fix.