Safe plugging runflats?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
Safe plugging runflats?
I've been losing air on my rear tires (I have the Goodyear runflats), I think I picked up a nail or two. Is it safe to plug the tire(s)? I was thinking I would get the runaround from the shop telling me it is not safe to plug a corvette's tire because of its high performance (got those runarounds many times in the past, just want to sell me new tires). Just wanted to be more informed before I go in on Monday.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 8
From: Issaquah WA
You can safely plug/patch the tires, depending on where the puncture is, and the size. There are dozens of posts on the issue (searching "goodyear patch" would bring them up).
Here's a good one - check out a post from Zymurgy about halfway down the page: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...flat-tire.html
Good luck. Having to replace one tire is bad enough, but both?!
BTW - you may want to check if the valve stems are fully tightened. Could be they were loosened somehow?
Here's a good one - check out a post from Zymurgy about halfway down the page: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...flat-tire.html
Good luck. Having to replace one tire is bad enough, but both?!
BTW - you may want to check if the valve stems are fully tightened. Could be they were loosened somehow?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,738
Likes: 81
From: Milford NH
Going by what I've been told by my friend's GY shop if the tire is pierced within 1 inch of the sidewall it's trash and the proper fix to retain it's speed rating is to plug and patch from the inside.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 273
Likes: 1
From: Colorado Springs CO
I've plugged my own tires for years. Even plugged a motorcycle tire with no ill effects. Of course, I always take it easy on plugged tires. Want to drive "aggressively"? Then patch 'em from the inside...
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,888
Likes: 4,342
From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
Without your profile being complete, I don't know the warranty status of your tires. If they are under warranty GY will repair for free. If the tire is not repairable, GY will prorate the replace cost. GY fixed two free for me.
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,006
Likes: 26
From: JawJa
John knows that I was in the same fix but ended up just plugging my passenger rear (9,000 mi) after too many months of refilling with air. Never could see physically what the cause was until I just had enough and took the wheel off. There it was . . . an angled nail about an inch from the inside wall. The shop wouldn't repair it because of the nail's location but did watch me plug it and even helped as well. I just couldn't spend that kind of money on a new tire (stock Supercar RF) when I'm hoping to do a complete wheel/tire change in the not too long future. Obviously, will not be doing too much hot rodding but after about 3 weeks now, it hasn't lost even 1lb of air. 
I've also had real good luck with plugs before.
I've also had real good luck with plugs before.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 873
From: Bay Area CA
While on vacation, I caught a screw on one of my run flats and plugged it myself. I carry a plug kit and a small compressor. The tires were going to be replaced within a few thousand miles, otherwise I would of had a plug/patch combo repair done to retain the speed rating. For a quick fix the plug works fine, but not recommended for long term. Using both a plug/patch prevents mositure from entering from either side of the tire, which can degrade the tire structure. Gas station compressors contain mositure which enters inside the inflated tire.
Last edited by Mike's LS3; Jan 28, 2010 at 10:43 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
Plugging from the outside without taking the tire off the rim is all right only as a temporary measure to get you to a place where the tire can be repaired correctly. Perhaps WolfDogs will chime in here...as a retired tire safety engineer, he might just have an opinion on this...and it might just be backed up by some actual facts too.
I love this!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,611
Likes: 5
From: Thousand Oaks California
As per a GM bulletin, the tire should be removed from the rim and inspected on the inside. If the tire is repairable, the tire should be patched as per the procedure in the bulletin. A tire puncture should not be plugged from the outside.
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Staten Island NY
brought mine to goodyear store. the warranty is for a year from date of purchase from chevrolet. They fixed it by taking it off the rim, and drilling it, and patching from the inside. It cost me $50
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,470
Likes: 1
From: New Jersey - National Corvette Museum Member '08, '09, '10, '11, '12
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,307
Likes: 111
From: Tucson AZ
If you have a Discount tire store in your area, they will repair it free of charge. Every store I have been to has had someone trained to repair runflats and also familiar with Vettes. Great company.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,076
Likes: 17,935
From: DFW Area TX
Here we go again...
So, the proper repair is a combination plug/patch done from the inside only after determining if there is any damage to the structure of the tire.
As for the speed rating issue, Goodyear allows one repair per tire and still maintain original speed rating:
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:
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.
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.(b)Check for ply or belt separation.
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. (b)Always drill from inside to outside of tire.
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.
As for the speed rating issue, Goodyear allows one repair per tire and still maintain original speed rating:
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)
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,076
Likes: 17,935
From: DFW Area TX
You can safely plug/patch the tires, depending on where the puncture is, and the size. There are dozens of posts on the issue (searching "goodyear patch" would bring them up).
Here's a good one - check out a post from Zymurgy about halfway down the page: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...flat-tire.html
Good luck. Having to replace one tire is bad enough, but both?!
BTW - you may want to check if the valve stems are fully tightened. Could be they were loosened somehow?
Here's a good one - check out a post from Zymurgy about halfway down the page: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...flat-tire.html
Good luck. Having to replace one tire is bad enough, but both?!
BTW - you may want to check if the valve stems are fully tightened. Could be they were loosened somehow?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,024
Likes: 13
From: Loveland CO to Central Coast CA
You must have the tire removed from the rim to evaluate repairability. Both of my flats were repairable and Discount Tire fixed both for free (I tipped the Tech anyway). Call ahead to confirm they have a trained Tech. And ask if you need an appointment.
And bring your own jacking pucks!! My Tech used 2 floor jacks, one for each side. I believe that raising both sides helps prevent twisting stress on the chassis... seems like a good precaution, because it takes awhile to remove, repair & reinstall C6 tires.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 22,364
Likes: 1,683
From: South Carolina
Its a tire..if it has a nail pull it plug it plug it pump it move on. You don't even have to take the tire off the car. Yes it is a performance tire but most Vette owners go 20 under the speed limit...
I would not recommend it on the edge or sidewall...But I have done that before and it went 20,000 miles with no problems. I stayed away from 150 mph runs though.
