Slow Puncture?

Hello all,

Bit of a 2 part thread. First looking for a bit of adivce. I'd been having savage fuel economy for about a week, so I checked my tyre pressures and found my back left to be right down to 21 PSI. Blew it up and economy was back to normal which was a relief. However I'm now a bit worried that I may have a slow puncture on that tyre. I was only about 2-3 weeks before that I'd previously tested tyre pressures and all the other corners had kept their pressure (+/- 1 PSI). There isn't anything obvious sticking into the tyre or any damage to the rim. Does that mean I'm going to have to change the whole tyre? Bit annoying if that is the case as there is still loads of tread left on it! Or are their other fixes that can be done either by myself or a garage?

And the second part - If you are finding your economy is bad then although it may seem obvious, check your tyre pressures! Mine had gone down from an average of 19 MPG to 15 with just one tyre slightly deflated - it makes a massive difference!!

Cheers!

Don't be a tight arse...get it down your local tyre place and get it checked. I had a slow "Puncture" last year, turned out to be hairline cracks where the spokes meet the rim. Result...New rim (18" Triple spoke). At least the cracks didn't turn out to be a clean break which would have been serious...watching the tyre & rim rolling down the road past me !!!

Just remember, wheels and tyres are the only thing between you and the graveyard !!!

worth checking the valve is in tight. You can do it with tweezers if you haven't got the right tool.
Then i'd stick a can of tyreweld in it and see if that fixes it. Sometimes does.

If it was me I would get down my local tyre place, I had a slow puncher the other week, the guy checked the wheel and tyre out. He found a small nail in the centre for the tyre. He then plugged the tyre and re balanced it for me, in all cost 11 quid...... job done.

I would check the valve first. Inflating the tyre a couple of weeks ago may have caused the valve not to seal quite right. Just take off the cap and put a drop of water into the valve and watch for bubbles. Also check around the base of the valve. (When you have new tyres fitted always have new valves fitted, unless they are the bolt in type, which have a much longer life and look better.)

If the valve is OK, I would look for obvious punctures (screws or nails) in the tread. If you suspect there is one, and it is in the centre 2/3rds of the tread a tyre shop will be able to fit a plug type repair for you. If you fancy doing it yourself, get the tyre removed and try a kit such as ebay item 300536473582. (me).

Any punctures in the outer edges of tread or the side wall will render the tyre scrap.

It may be that the wheel has gone slightly porous and is leaking. If that is the case, usually a clean up inside the wheel well and a fresh coat of paint should fix it for a whilst.
Rob

I had a slow puncture on the Voyager we have. Lost about 7 or 8 PSI per week. Put off repairing it. Blew it up and set off for Scotland. 100 miles up the motorway, dead flat and totally knackered. Shafted for £140 for a new tyre - options none. Cheaper to get it fixed now.

Derek Ward said:

I had a slow puncture on the Voyager we have. Lost about 7 or 8 PSI per week. Put off repairing it. Blew it up and set off for Scotland. 100 miles up the motorway, dead flat and totally knackered. Shafted for £140 for a new tyre - options none. Cheaper to get it fixed now.

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did same with caravan set off on a budget weekend pumped up tyres 10 miles down road one flat otherone half way ther £80 later a sobber weekend bar b ques with tea no fun

Cheers for all the advise guys. I'll have it checked at a local tyre place, see if they can spot anything - always better to go into these things armed with a bit of knowledge though eh, rather than walk in and them tell you you need a new wheel when you don't etc!