My car keeps deflating tires...

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
34,142
1,301
126
I've got a 1995 Mazda 626. It's a five-speed manual and it's front-wheel drive. Yesterday I noticed that the front right tire was pretty low just before I went to work. So I went to the gas station and it was flat. I filled it up to 32PSI and went on my way to work. I got about a mile from my office and it went completely flat and I started getting the "clunking" noise.

So I pulled over. I work on a NASA base and we have a little car shop there. I went out and looked at the tire. It was completely knotted. I got the donut put on and went home. I got a new tire today, so I picked the car up and got about a mile down the road and it was flat again. The tire and wheel were rocket hot.

I got it back to the shop and they said the belt was completely destroyed. The tire guy was amazed at how hot the wheel and tire were. They've ordered a new tire and said they'll check it out tomorrow. The donut doesn't get hot like the regular wheel and tire do.

Any ideas?

 

boomerang

Lifer
Jun 19, 2000
18,883
641
126
If I understand correctly, you've driven the car with the tire flat. I'd say the wheel itself is bent or damaged. The first instance was just a regular old everyday flat tire. I had one yesterday.

I would think they would have noticed when the wheel/tire was on the balancer but a lot of them nearly enclose the tire and wheel assembly these days so maybe they couldn't see or didn't notice.

The new tire is being thrashed around as it's driven on, heating it and the wheel up.

This is my guess. I'd sure like to hear the answer when you find out. It could have been a defective tire, but tires are really checked closely before they leave the factory. Still could be the case though.

 

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
34,142
1,301
126
Originally posted by: jtvang125
Have the wheel inspected. It could be bent or cracked.
I asked them about that, because that's what I figured it was. Both the tire guy and the shop manager said that the wheel looked fine, but they'd investigate it more tomorrow.
 

deadken

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2004
3,196
4
81
I'd be surprised if a competent mechanic put a new tire on a bad rim and didn't notice or say anything. It could happen, but I'd be surprised. It could have been an incompetent mechanic (more like a $5-$6 per hour school kid making money over the summer) who installed the tire.

Another possibility is that you left out the part where you also 'nailed' your co-workers girlfriend/wife and rocket fuel keeps finding it's way to the wheel closest to where he parks his car....:evil: Maybe working at a NASA base has some dis-advantages?!?!
 

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
34,142
1,301
126
Originally posted by: deadken
Another possibility is that you left out the part where you also 'nailed' your co-workers girlfriend/wife and rocket fuel keeps finding it's way to the wheel closest to where he parks his car....:evil: Maybe working at a NASA base has some dis-advantages?!?!
God I wish... :p

I'll post the results tomorrow.

 

ValValline

Senior member
Feb 18, 2005
339
0
76
You might want to check the brakes. A stuck caliper slider keeping the pad in contact with the rotor can generate a LOT of heat while driving. It would be like riding the brakes.
 

boomerang

Lifer
Jun 19, 2000
18,883
641
126
Originally posted by: ValValline
You might want to check the brakes. A stuck caliper slider keeping the pad in contact with the rotor can generate a LOT of heat while driving. It would be like riding the brakes.
Yeah, but it doesn't do it with the spare.

 

imported_Truenofan

Golden Member
May 6, 2005
1,125
0
0
it could be the valve in the valvestem(where you inflate it from) the valve could be bad, and leaking air rapidly, if the valve goes bad, it can deflate as fast as your tire inflates. also. remember, low pressure tires get can hot rapidly.(the instance with tires a few years ago on those SUV's where people didnt inflate on them and they would tear themselves apart)
 

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
34,142
1,301
126
Well, I got the car back and it looks like everything is cool. The tire was at 37PSI when I picked it up, 37 PSI after I drove around on base, 37PSI after I waited five minutes for it to cool a little, and finally 37PSI at my doorstep.

I asked them what happened and they said they weren't sure what it was. Maybe it was installed improperly? I guess it doesn't matter. They didn't charge me for the replacement, even after I offered to pay for it, so it's all gravy.
 

GalvanizedYankee

Diamond Member
Oct 27, 2003
6,986
0
0
Might have been a bit of old rubber stuck to the bead seating area of the wheel.
Deflate, remove the tire, clean the wheel, then reinflate the tire. Easy.
 

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
Originally posted by: Chaotic42
I asked them what happened and they said they weren't sure what it was. Maybe it was installed improperly? I guess it doesn't matter. They didn't charge me for the replacement, even after I offered to pay for it, so it's all gravy.

Read: They screwed up, they know it, but they don't want to admit fault and get sued.
 

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
34,142
1,301
126
Originally posted by: jagec
Originally posted by: Chaotic42
I asked them what happened and they said they weren't sure what it was. Maybe it was installed improperly? I guess it doesn't matter. They didn't charge me for the replacement, even after I offered to pay for it, so it's all gravy.

Read: They screwed up, they know it, but they don't want to admit fault and get sued.
Heh, I've got my suspicions. Oh well, at least it all worked out.