Flat tire today
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Flat tire today
About two years ago I picked up a nail in my front tire (OEM, Z51, 2007) and had it plugged. The plug held for all this time. Several weeks ago I noticed occasionally that I would lose 10-20psi overnight. It only happened about once a week. Yesterday, it happened twice. When I took it to the gas station the soapy water test showed the plug leaking. I guess you cannot plug these tires.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 30
From: Fairfax Virginia
An inside patch is the preferred repair, but it is considerably more expensive. Depending on the miles on the tire and since it has been previously plugged you may be stuck with buying a new one. Maybe even a pair for the front.
Sorry about that. Such is life. Been there also.
Sorry about that. Such is life. Been there also.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 1
From: Vail, Arizona
It lasted for two years. How many miles did you put on them after the plug? On my original set I picked up a nail and had the tire removed and "patched" and it lasted the rest of the life of the tire. Maybe patch Vs. plug makes a difference. 
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,024
Likes: 13
From: Loveland CO to Central Coast CA
Tires are warranteed against road hazards. Got my flat fixed free at Discount Tire. I had about 3 months & 3,000 miles at the time.
Doubt they'd fix your older tire for free. Talk with the Manager, explain the situation. At least you might get a prorated adjustment for low miles.
And don't waste time at the Chevy dealer or local tire jockey. Get it fixed/replaced at a tire dealer that handles wide EMTs.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Just got it back
I just got the car back and it is fixed (I hope.) The dismounted the tire, removed the plug, patched it from the inside, and put it back. I am driving it more than 500 miles this weekend so I hope it holds up.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,893
Likes: 1
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Instructor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 112
Likes: 24
From: Paducah Ky
Patch-Plug tire repair!!
If you are a member of Sams Club they will fix a flat tire with the patch-plug for FREE. It does not matter if you bought the tires from them. I have had this done several times.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,135
Likes: 17,985
From: DFW Area TX
Once again I will post the official Goodyear repair procedure (which is a combination patch/plug):
And the official Goodyear speed-rated tire repair limits:
Goodyear Run Flat Repair Procedure
REPAIR PROCEDURE
1. CAREFULLY REMOVE THE TIRE COMPLETELY FROM THE RIM.
2. Locate the puncture on the inside of the tire and circle with crayon.
3. Remove puncturing object if it is still in the tire.
4. Carefully inspect tire on a good tire spreader, with ample light, which will show any cracks, breaks, punctures, damaged or broken beads.
5. Check liner for cuts, cracks, or holes which may cause the tubeless liner to lose air.
6. Check the injury with an inspection awl:
(a)Determine size and angle of injury.
(b)Check for ply or belt separation.
7. Reject any tire that has separation, loose cords, damaged bead(s), or any other non-repairable injury.
8. If the hole is simple and round, steps 9 through 17 of the puncture repair procedure will be successful.
NOTE: If the hole shows evidence of fabric splitting, such an injury cannot be properly repaired using this puncture repair procedure. Such an injury must be skived out and repaired as a section (reinforced) repair, which will maintain the serviceability of the tire, but will invalidate the tire's speed rating. If a section repair is necessary, the customer must be advised, before the repair is made, that the tire will lose its speed rating, and must not exceed operation at normal highway speeds.
9. Use a pre-buff cleaner and a scraper to remove contaminants from the liner in the area to be buffed around the injury.
10. Use a 7/32"carbide cutter for 1/4" repairs to clean out the puncture.
(a)Make sure that the drill follows the direction of the puncturing object.
(b)Always drill from inside to outside of tire.
11. Using chemical vulcanizing cement, lightly coat at least 1/2 of the tapered end of the repair plug. Install the plug in the prepared puncture according to the manufacturer's instructions. Trim the liner side of the plug slightly higher than the surface of the liner without stretching the plug.
12. Center the patch (or patch template) over the injury without removing the backing. Adhere to patch or template instructions, as to positioning as related to bead location. Mark around the outside edge of the patch, approximately 1/4" larger than the patch.
13. Buff the liner and plug at the puncture location. The buffed area should be slightly larger than the patch. The buffed surface should be finely grained (RMA 1 or 2 texture) and even for proper bonding. Use care to prevent burning the rubber with the buffing tool. Do not buff through the liner. Do not buff into the marking crayon.
14. Clean the buffing dust from the tire using only a vacuum or brush. Do not use gasoline or other petroleum solvents on the buffed area.
15. Coat the buffed liner surface and the patch with one evenly applied coat of chemical vulcanizing cement in accordance with the recommendations of the repair materials manufacturer. Allow the cement to dry thoroughly. Do not touch the cemented areas.
16. Install the patch with the beads of the tire in the relaxed position. Position the patch over the puncture according to the markings on the patch. Stitch the entire patch starting from the center, keeping the strokes close together to avoid trapping air under the patch.
17. Cut off the protruding end of the plug about 1/8" above the tread surface.
18. FINAL INSPECTION - The repair must seal the inner liner and fill the injury. After remounting and inflating check the repair, both beads and valve with a soap solution to assure a complete seal.
REPAIR PROCEDURE
1. CAREFULLY REMOVE THE TIRE COMPLETELY FROM THE RIM.
2. Locate the puncture on the inside of the tire and circle with crayon.
3. Remove puncturing object if it is still in the tire.
4. Carefully inspect tire on a good tire spreader, with ample light, which will show any cracks, breaks, punctures, damaged or broken beads.
5. Check liner for cuts, cracks, or holes which may cause the tubeless liner to lose air.
6. Check the injury with an inspection awl:
(a)Determine size and angle of injury.
(b)Check for ply or belt separation.
7. Reject any tire that has separation, loose cords, damaged bead(s), or any other non-repairable injury.
8. If the hole is simple and round, steps 9 through 17 of the puncture repair procedure will be successful.
NOTE: If the hole shows evidence of fabric splitting, such an injury cannot be properly repaired using this puncture repair procedure. Such an injury must be skived out and repaired as a section (reinforced) repair, which will maintain the serviceability of the tire, but will invalidate the tire's speed rating. If a section repair is necessary, the customer must be advised, before the repair is made, that the tire will lose its speed rating, and must not exceed operation at normal highway speeds.
9. Use a pre-buff cleaner and a scraper to remove contaminants from the liner in the area to be buffed around the injury.
10. Use a 7/32"carbide cutter for 1/4" repairs to clean out the puncture.
(a)Make sure that the drill follows the direction of the puncturing object.
(b)Always drill from inside to outside of tire.
11. Using chemical vulcanizing cement, lightly coat at least 1/2 of the tapered end of the repair plug. Install the plug in the prepared puncture according to the manufacturer's instructions. Trim the liner side of the plug slightly higher than the surface of the liner without stretching the plug.
12. Center the patch (or patch template) over the injury without removing the backing. Adhere to patch or template instructions, as to positioning as related to bead location. Mark around the outside edge of the patch, approximately 1/4" larger than the patch.
13. Buff the liner and plug at the puncture location. The buffed area should be slightly larger than the patch. The buffed surface should be finely grained (RMA 1 or 2 texture) and even for proper bonding. Use care to prevent burning the rubber with the buffing tool. Do not buff through the liner. Do not buff into the marking crayon.
14. Clean the buffing dust from the tire using only a vacuum or brush. Do not use gasoline or other petroleum solvents on the buffed area.
15. Coat the buffed liner surface and the patch with one evenly applied coat of chemical vulcanizing cement in accordance with the recommendations of the repair materials manufacturer. Allow the cement to dry thoroughly. Do not touch the cemented areas.
16. Install the patch with the beads of the tire in the relaxed position. Position the patch over the puncture according to the markings on the patch. Stitch the entire patch starting from the center, keeping the strokes close together to avoid trapping air under the patch.
17. Cut off the protruding end of the plug about 1/8" above the tread surface.
18. FINAL INSPECTION - The repair must seal the inner liner and fill the injury. After remounting and inflating check the repair, both beads and valve with a soap solution to assure a complete seal.
Goodyear Speed-Rated Tire Repair Limits
II. DETAILED POLICY - Puncture Repair of Goodyear Speed-Rated Tires
The puncture must be confined to the tread area only.
(See "Repair Area", item III-B).
Restrictions on the number and size of repairs must be followed.
(See "Puncture Repair Limits" table, item III-C).
A detailed repair procedure must be followed.
(See "Repair Procedure", item III-E).
A Goodyear speed-rated new tire repaired in strict accordance with items II-A, B & C, will retain its speed rating.
III. REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR SPEED-RATED TIRES
GENERAL
The objective of the puncture repair is to seal the tire against loss of inflation pressure and to prevent damage to the carcass from moisture. In all puncture repairs approved by Goodyear, the hole must be filled with a plug, and a patch covering the hole must be applied according to repair material manufacturer instructions to the inside of the tire. Never repair tires which are worn below 2/32" tread depth.
NOTE: No tire is to be repaired without first being removed from the rim.
REPAIR AREA
Repairing is limited to the tread area only within the outside grooves. No repairs are allowed in the tread area beyond the outside grooves or sidewall.
PUNCTURE REPAIR LIMITS
TIRE SPEED...............MAX. NUMBER...........MAX REPAIR
(SPEED SYMBOL)................................. ....DIAMETER
130 mph and over ...........1......................1/4 in. (6mm)
(H, V, Z)
II. DETAILED POLICY - Puncture Repair of Goodyear Speed-Rated Tires
The puncture must be confined to the tread area only.
(See "Repair Area", item III-B).
Restrictions on the number and size of repairs must be followed.
(See "Puncture Repair Limits" table, item III-C).
A detailed repair procedure must be followed.
(See "Repair Procedure", item III-E).
A Goodyear speed-rated new tire repaired in strict accordance with items II-A, B & C, will retain its speed rating.
III. REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR SPEED-RATED TIRES
GENERAL
The objective of the puncture repair is to seal the tire against loss of inflation pressure and to prevent damage to the carcass from moisture. In all puncture repairs approved by Goodyear, the hole must be filled with a plug, and a patch covering the hole must be applied according to repair material manufacturer instructions to the inside of the tire. Never repair tires which are worn below 2/32" tread depth.
NOTE: No tire is to be repaired without first being removed from the rim.
REPAIR AREA
Repairing is limited to the tread area only within the outside grooves. No repairs are allowed in the tread area beyond the outside grooves or sidewall.
PUNCTURE REPAIR LIMITS
TIRE SPEED...............MAX. NUMBER...........MAX REPAIR
(SPEED SYMBOL)................................. ....DIAMETER
130 mph and over ...........1......................1/4 in. (6mm)
(H, V, Z)
