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Help please - Tyre losing pressure - can't find the leak.

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Old 08-05-2008, 04:31 AM
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Hi all

My tyre pressure warning light came on yesterday morning, and I worked out that it's a slow puncture on the nearside rear. (I have 19's - not run flats).
Measured how bad it was - and I am losing about 4 psi overnight.

Took the car to a tyre dealers, and they got the tyre off the car, and sprinkled water around the whole tyre (shoulder and tread), and also along the inside of the rim to check for any leaks.

They were unable to find anything. No leaks that they could see. I was watching over them while they tried to do this.

Are there any more sophisticated methods for finding leaks that anyone can suggest.

Any other ideas, short of getting a new tyre ??

Thanks.
Old 08-05-2008, 04:38 AM
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Actually what they probably used was a solution of dish soap and water that
will produce bubbles at the leak. The only other method I know of is when they submerge
it in a tub of water and watch for the leaks.
Old 08-05-2008, 04:47 AM
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I had something liike this once - it turned out to be a split valve stem - the best sort of "puncture" to get!
Old 08-05-2008, 05:00 AM
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Originally Posted by jonno_' post='639992' date='Aug 5 2008, 01:47 PM
I had something liike this once - it turned out to be a split valve stem - the best sort of "puncture" to get!
How does one detect one of these ??
Old 08-05-2008, 05:14 AM
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It wasn't until I tried to re-inflate the tyre that I noticed the split (and felt the air on my hand), though it should show up clearly in an immersion test too.

I'd try a second tyre specialist and get them to remove wheel and test the tyre "in situ" just in case of alloy problems.
GL getting it sorted.
Old 08-05-2008, 06:04 AM
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I concur with the above, an immersion test is the only way to identify a slow leak, it could be from the valve or the rim seating etc, get it in a paddling pool for a few hours and have a look and see for yourself.
Old 08-05-2008, 06:16 AM
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Originally Posted by chris f' post='640022' date='Aug 5 2008, 03:04 PM
I concur with the above, an immersion test is the only way to identify a slow leak, it could be from the valve or the rim seating etc, get it in a paddling pool for a few hours and have a look and see for yourself.
Thanks. Will try this.
Old 08-05-2008, 06:17 AM
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Poor seating of the tire's bead against the wheel's inner rim might be the case, but unlikely if it has been mounted for a while. Another possibility is that of a cracked wheel. Best of luck.
Old 08-05-2008, 06:38 AM
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Originally Posted by CWS530' post='640029' date='Aug 5 2008, 03:17 PM
Poor seating of the tire's bead against the wheel's inner rim might be the case, but unlikely if it has been mounted for a while. Another possibility is that of a cracked wheel. Best of luck.
Hi. Could be either. The tyre's only been on there a few days (and it was part worn), and the rims are my secondhand style 166's.......only put the full set on in last few days.

Can a crack be repaired ??
Old 08-05-2008, 06:43 AM
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best way to detect it is just take off the wheel and poor a mixture of soap and water on it.you will easily see bubbles appearing in the leaking area.


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