Cause of slow leak in tire?

[BD2003]

For the life of me, I cannot figure out why two of my tires are slowly leaking. It'll lose a few psi per day, but eventually settle out at 20ish psi. The higher the pressure, the faster the leak, but I've never seen it drop below 20.

I took the tires off the car, and checked for any visible leaks. None. Sprayed soapy water all over it, even at the edges of the wheel...everywhere. No bubbling.

Replaced the valve stems...twice. Still the same.

I guess when winter comes around and I switch off to my winter tires, I'll dump them in my bathtub and look for bubbles, but WTF else could it be?

 

[forfor]

Same crap is happening to me for some reason. Mind sharing anything you find out?

 

[BoomerD]

Ccould be a variety of things, like a bad bead seal, bad valve stem seal, cracked wheels or just a bad seam in the wheels, there could be a small nail or piece of glass that's worked itself into the rubber where you can't see it...any number of things. Take them to the place where you got the tires and have them find the cause. OR, just any tire shop...

 

[altonb1]

Caused by temperature changes?

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Ccould be a variety of things, like a bad bead seal, bad valve stem seal, cracked wheels or just a bad seam in the wheels, there could be a small nail or piece of glass that's worked itself into the rubber where you can't see it...any number of things. Take them to the place where you got the tires and have them find the cause. OR, just any tire shop...

Whats a bead seal?

When I put the valve stems in, should I tighten it ALL the way until it practically starts twisting the valve, or just snug?

If it's the seam between the wheel and the tire, is there any kind of sealant I could use?

 

[amdhunter]

Happenned to me, I had a cracked rim that slowly leaked air. Some duct tape and Goop (I think thats the name, its a glue) over the crack and it was as good as new for about 2 years.

I eventually gave the car away with the broken rim, and to this day it still doesn't leak.

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: altonb1
Caused by temperature changes?

Definitely not...I make sure to fill them up first thing in the morning while theyre still cold, with a portable compressor.

 

[Maxspeed996]

Originally posted by: BD2003

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Ccould be a variety of things, like a bad bead seal, bad valve stem seal, cracked wheels or just a bad seam in the wheels, there could be a small nail or piece of glass that's worked itself into the rubber where you can't see it...any number of things. Take them to the place where you got the tires and have them find the cause. OR, just any tire shop...

Whats a bead seal?

When I put the valve stems in, should I tighten it ALL the way until it practically starts twisting the valve, or just snug?

If it's the seam between the wheel and the tire, is there any kind of sealant I could use?

A bad seal could be something as simple as corrosion on the inside of the rim not allowing the bead of the tire to seat smoothly..most of the time when you get your tires changed a shop will buff this area smooth , or they should at least..I only air up my wives car tires at home where my air compressor has a moisture trap that keeps moisture from being put into the tire, that's the #1 cause of corrosion on the inside. Another thing to look at is to have your tires inflated with nitrogen. I had this done on my talon when I put the rims on it. No moisture , and the nitrogen molecules are bigger than oxygen molecules , so they don't leak like air does. It's an inert gas so it's safe. And it's still something that is new to a lot of people.

 

[theknight571]

Nevermind... overlooked the fact you had already done this... lol

Eyes still aren't adjusted for a Monday.

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: Maxspeed996

Originally posted by: BD2003

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Ccould be a variety of things, like a bad bead seal, bad valve stem seal, cracked wheels or just a bad seam in the wheels, there could be a small nail or piece of glass that's worked itself into the rubber where you can't see it...any number of things. Take them to the place where you got the tires and have them find the cause. OR, just any tire shop...

Whats a bead seal?

When I put the valve stems in, should I tighten it ALL the way until it practically starts twisting the valve, or just snug?

If it's the seam between the wheel and the tire, is there any kind of sealant I could use?

A bad seal could be something as simple as corrosion on the inside of the rim not allowing the bead of the tire to seat smoothly..most of the time when you get your tires changed a shop will buff this area smooth , or they should at least..I only air up my wives car tires at home where my air compressor has a moisture trap that keeps moisture from being put into the tire, that's the #1 cause of corrosion on the inside. Another thing to look at is to have your tires inflated with nitrogen. I had this done on my talon when I put the rims on it. No moisture , and the nitrogen molecules are bigger than oxygen molecules , so they don't leak like air does. It's an inert gas so it's safe. And it's still something that is new to a lot of people.

Hmm...I've never actually done it, but do you actually need any special tools to mount the tire to the wheel? If not, I'd just as soon mark off the balance points, deflate it, pop it off, and check it all myself.

 

[tfinch2]

Nevermind, you did this.

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: tfinch2
Nevermind, you did this.

Thats two in a row...can we get a third?

 

[fitzov]

the wheels have a crack or hole in them. only reason why I say that is that I had a similar problem with some new wheels/tires, and it turned out to be the seal around the wheel, but the service guy said once in a while someone comes in with a wheel leaking around the weld--for steelies.

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: fitzov
the wheels have a crack or hole in them. only reason why I say that is that I had a similar problem with some new wheels/tires, and it turned out to be the seal around the wheel, but the service guy said once in a while someone comes in with a wheel leaking around the weld--for steelies.

What if I just spread a little rubber cement around the seal...any reason thats a bad idea?

 

[funboy6942]

A good reputable tire place should have a tire tub to dip it in and find the leak for you.

 

[sandorski]

hole