Wheels/Tyres: Tyres constantly flat

[b1mcp]

Agreed it has to be leaking somewhere.

I had this kind of issue last year with 2 wheels. I bought a small kids paddling pool for £3 from B&M Bargains and it worked a treat for finding leaks. Seal around valves in my case.

Don't expect to see a huge stream of bubbles.


If someone was letting the tyres down it's unlikely they would replace the valve caps so that should be a tell tale sign.

[ASt85]

Originally Posted by shezza250

fully inflate to say 50 psi then diy checking for bubbles in the bath.

Over inflating can make a poor bead seal reseal, even when the pressure is returned to normal the seal frequently maintains as the the rubber has been forced into the oxide layer on the rim closing the path of the leak.
When tubeless tyres began to be fitted as replacements for tubed tyres in the late fifties, fitters commonly over inflated them initially to get a good seal.

[XC70Bob]

When I went looking for a slow leak on one of my wheels, I used a 50/50 mix of water and washing up liquid, took the wheel off the car and laid it flat and just carefully filled the area between the rim and tyre then left if for about an hour.

The small bubbles formed over that time soon showed were the very very small leak was, local type place gave the alloy rim a good clean with a pad on an air tool and applied rubber sealant to the rim no more problem.

[wilbydoughboy]

With the pressure dropping so fast there would be plenty of bubbles showing when tested. I had leaks on my valves where they went through the wheels and although very slow there was plenty of bubbles. Someone is letting your tyres down.

[patstan]

Thanks for all your replies,

As someone mentioned "someone could be letting the tyres down" this is a no no !
I live six miles from my nearest neighbour and passing walkers training for the Ten-Tors or Duke of Edinburgh awards would never do such a thing

After placing the wheels and tyres with another garage they found the rim had small perforations on the inner side of the wheels. The air coming from the holes had been blocked by dirt oil and road tar. The garage removed the tyres and placed the wheels in a solvent bath and scrubbed them clean both inner and otter surfaces.

On with the tyres again, and they found the holes after inflating them.
I have had the four wheels refurbed and no more deflated tyres in the morning!

£55 pounds per wheel. Job Done........

Thanks to all for your input.

[Theeggman]

Did you use a wheel refurb place in Exeter? I had a cracked rim on my XC70 and they pointed me to a local operation who sorted the crack and it's now passed 2 MOTs.