Okay, given,
a firestone runflat that has lost NO air pressure, and has a screw in the tread area.

I'm told that places can't patch. The reasons I'm given aren't even logical. One place said that it is impossible to patch runflats. Another place said, it couldn't be done because the screw went through one of the plies. Um, aren't most tires made with multiple plies, so this statement would apply to any tire? I guess no one has given me a good reason why it can't be done. I suspect liability issues in case the patch fails, but their has been no wear to the side walls and isn't even leaking air!

Engineers? What's up?

 

They can be patched and people on the forum have had them patched. You have to take it to a qualified Goodyear dealer who has the training and equipment to work with runflats. Not all of them are qualified to work with runflats.

Bill

 

As far as the patch goes, IMO it's just another tire. The issue is the mounting/dismounting. The sidewalls are so incredibly stiff that normal mounting machines may not have the strength to get the tire mounted safely.

I plugged a non-RF tire and ran it as a street tire (no track stuff) for a year or so until I replaced the whole set. Never leaked, separated, exploded, or spun a bearing (sorry, got into the "I change my oil every 500 miles" rant).

HTH, and have a good one,
Mike

 

they make a plug/patch that is very effective. I believe you are only allowed to plug/patch twice based on tire recommendations. You also lose 1 tire rating for each patch.

If the hole is on the sidewall then you are SOL.

If the hole is not on the sidewall adn teh hole is not huge then the places you are talking to dont know what they are doing and could ruin your wheel, tire and/or your sensors. go to someone that knows how to do it right.

When I had RunFlats I had them patched 1 time with no problems....

 

If the dealer doesn't want to repair RUN AWAY. If you pressure him he will do a 1/2 repair with an "I told you so" There are many places that can repair the tire. Have someone dismount if they won't repair and take the rim and tire home with you. Then it will be much easier to have the tire repaired by almost anyone. You can always have it mounted later. Once it is off the rim it is just a regular tire. But just another $.02 worth. vettdvr

 

If it is not leaking, the screw may not have even penetrated it. Before I tried to patch it, I would first just remove the screw and see if there was actually a leak. If not, just throw the screw away and forget about it. I suspect that they just don't want to work on runflats. They are difficult to mount and dismount. They can be patched by most tire dealers. In fact, I have been patching tires myself, with the standard plugs, for about 30 years and have not yet had one fail.

 

I have Michelin Pilot Spot ZPs on my car. Lost Air Pressure on one of the rear tires last year coming home from Carlisle. Had it patched by a Michelin dealer. No problems!!

 

Been there, done that...

 

I had a nail clean through the tread on one original run flat. Local tire shop plugged it and never a problem with the repair.

Fred

 

Hi Smokin -

I am not an engineer, but I have been plugging tires for years.

I have never plugged a runflat - but I would if I had to and I would not look back.

I plugged a 305/19 Pirelli (non runflat) on my Z06 when the tire was fairly new - and I put over 20k miles on the tire without any other troubles.

My opinion (and it is only my opinion...) is that a tire that is capable of essentially unlimited speed for long durations of time can safely handle a small puncture without causing structural damage.

best regards -

mqqn

 

Yeah, I agree with you guys. I've plugged non-runflats many times and never had a problem. Thanks for your input.

 

I live in an area where there is a lot of new construction.

I have had 3 F1-EMTs ("runflats") patched in the last 5 years. I have had screws and large nails stuck in several different tires. For some reason, only the rears seem to be involved.

The Goodyear dealer told me they couldn't use the standard plug. The tire has to come off and they have to patch from the inside. Cost me more - about 40-50$, but they worked and the tires were fine afterwards. The dealer told me not all dealers are trained, they had to have special Goodyear training to be able to do it properly?

Who knows.......

 

From the Firestone Site



Repair
Tread punctures or penetrations left unrepaired may cause irreversible tire damage. An improper repair can damage the tire and will void the warranty.

Repair Procedures
Combination patch/stem repair. Steel cord damage must be repaired immediately to prevent rusting of the steel. Using plugs or patches alone on any type of tire is not a safe repair.

Do not perform this part of the repair on a spreader as this deforms the area to be repaired.
1. Remove all foreign matter from the hole. Be careful not to enlarge the hole.
2. Select the proper size reamer. The reamer selection must completely cover the injured area.
3. Select the proper size patch and plug to correspond to the reamer. Center the patch over the puncture and mark 1" beyond the edge of the patch with a crayon.
4. Clean the punctured area thoroughly with a pre-buff chemical cleaner. (do not use gasoline).
5. With the tire in a relaxed position and following the tool manufacturer's recommendation, use a proper hand reamer, carbide cutter, or drill bit to clean the injury.
6. Buff thoroughly to a flat, smooth velvet surface, per RMA. "Be careful not to gouge liner or expose casing liner. Remove buffing dust with a vacuum cleaner. Note: chemical cleaning is not a substitute for mechanical buffing."
7. Apply a cement recommended by the patch manufacturer according to the label directions. Cement must be allowed to dry thoroughly.
8. Lubricate the hole and taper of plug with cement. Insert the plug into the hole, pulling it firmly through so the patch seats to the buffed innerliner. Be sure the bead markings are in the correct position.
9. Stitch from the center out being careful not to trap any air.
10. Cut off the stem 1/16" above the outer surface.

WARNING: Failure to follow the above recommendations could result in
sudden tire failure, property damage, personal injury or death.

Repair of Speed Rated Tires
Tires that are speed rated may be repaired with the following procedures; however, these tires would no longer maintain their speed rating.

Determining if the Tire is Repairable - Limits

* Never repair a tire worn below 2/32"(.16cm)
* Never repair tires with tread punctures larger than 1/4"(.635cm)
* Never use an inner tube as a substitute for proper repair.
* All repairs must be made from the inside of the tire as well as outside.
* The maximum number of nail holes is limited to two per tire and these must be separated by at least 15"(38cm).
* No more than one cord per radial ply can be damaged.
* Section repairs are not allowed.

Inspection Procedure of a Service Professional

* Mark injury and remove the puncturing object.
* Before deflating, immerse the entire tire in water to determine if there is more than one hole.
* Remove tire from wheel.
* Inspect puncture with blunt awl to determine size and type of injury.
* Place the tire on a spreader and inspect thoroughly.

If any of the following conditions exists, the tire cannot be repaired:

* Holes larger than 1/4"(.635cm)
* Run flat damage
* Broken or deformed bead wires
* Ruptures of radial plies
* Deterioration of rubber
* Damage to the bead

 

I can only offer anecdotal evidence. I've plugged run-flats a handful of times, and have always kept the tires 'til replacement. Didn't take the plugged tires to the track, but they all were subject to infrequent triple digits jaunts a few seconds at a time, and hours of freeway cruising.

 

If any of the following conditions exists, the tire cannot be repaired:

* Holes larger than 1/4"(.635cm)
* Run flat damage

Okay, Not to be ****, but what is run flat damage. Are they referring to any damage to a run flat tire? or damage to the runflat portion of the tire? (which would be the sidewall)

 

I believe they're referring to the sidewall construction of the tire.