Tyre problems!

[Sam.l 0]

Hey all,

 

For some reason I keep losing air in the front drivers side tyre. The tyre is a Toyo Proxes T1r, 205/45/15 on a 15 by 9" wheel. Ive already been back to the tyre fitters once who took the tyre off and re-seated it on the bead, then put it in a wheel bath to check for air bubbles and all was good. But now, a week later this morning it was flat. I realise ive gone for a bit of stretch, but there was an even skinnier tyre on it before with no problems whatsoever. Cant think what could be causing it, so if anyone has any suggestions or advice id be much appreciated!

 

Thanks alot :)

[Grim1 1]

If the tyres are stretched on the rims, and the car is driven quite hard, could cause air loss. I've just spoken with another of our engineers (Bridgestone), and he's in agreement.

 

I'll check and see what the recommendations are in ETRTO for the rim size and tyre size abd let you know.

[pumbaa 0]

Stretched tyre driven hard as above, slight flat spot on the rim, tyre valve leaking air

[Sam.l 0]

Thanks guys, ill have a look into those. I never really drive the car that hard so shouldnt think it could be that. It seems to lose air while parked up as the car is fine the evening before. Pumbaa your ideas about tyre valve could be a possibility, Im hoping its not a flat spot on the rim as they've been fine for the last year and a half nearly, only when i stuck new tyres on this has happened. The other wheel, with the exact same tyre and wheel size is fine. :confused4: meh!

[Grim1 1]

Out of interest, when were your tyres fitted? If fairly recently, it could well be just the valve.

[Sam.l 0]

I got them fitted about 1 month ago, but went back 2 weeks later because of this problem. So its only been about two weeks since it was re-fitted. The first time around i think it was because the tyre wasnt sat on the bead properly because i could hear the air escaping from the wheel rim. But this time i just got to the car in the morning to find it flat. Funny thing is, its been fine until now. :( Unless when parked in a certain way i.e on a hill or kerb etc it causes air to escape from the valve due to its angle? :confused4:

[pumbaa 0]

I had a small flat spot on a wheel that made no difference to anything for 2 years except for when i happened to park on a particular spot and it let out all the air overnight. Could be a similar porblem?

[Sam.l 0]

It does sound like a similar problem, though since it started it has let air out overnight parked in a few places...flat on gravel, passenger side up on a kerb. Is there a way of testing for this? Could the wheel have developed a flat spot since fitting the tyres? I dont think ive hit any potholes etc to cause any damage to it. Im kinda hoping its something as simple as the valve.

[pumbaa 0]

No idea on how to test. try changing the valve, theyre pennies.

[Grim1 1]

If it's anything to do with the valve core, just use some washing up liquid or spit on the end of your finger and smear over the valve, if it's that, it will blow bubbles.

 

Or like pumbaa says, just replace the valve, only pence to replace, although if you go to the tyre supplier, they may do it for free.

[Sam.l 0]

Right then, will try and replace the valve first. Am goin back to the tyre fitters tomorrow or the day after so will hopefully just replace the valve for me. And hopefully, that will be it. Will no doubt be posting again if the problem still choses to persist! Thanks for your comments and advice guys.

[dsilva 0]

Hi do you have a pic of the stretch some times you have to clean the inside lope of the wheel then put the bead sealant on just take the wheel off urself and poor water on the bead so u van see 4 ur self were it's leaking Hope this helps

[Sam.l 0]

Thanks for the advice dsilva, ill have a go at that too.

[Sam.l 0]

Well, after keeping air for a couple of days the tyre is flat again. Only this time i can actually hear the air escaping on part of the rim when i try and pump it up again. If i pushed it with my thumb it stopped. Im worried that this is a flat spot on the rim now as im not sure why else it wont keep air. Gonna take it back the tyre fitters anyway and see what they suggest. Is it a case of wheel straightening/refurb to sort out a flat spot? Forgive my ignorance :) Soooo frustrating as i dont know why or what caused it.

[Grim1 1]

I'd suggest going to someone that specialises in wheels and explain what's happened and what's been checked. Just don't let them fob you off and sell you a tyre without checking the rim first!!

[mr lobitos 0]

my guess, the fitter has damaged tyre bead when fitting,(not speaking from experience before any one comments)

[Sam.l 0]

That could be why they're so quick to help me out/not charge me to sort it out. Though i hope this is not the case! Doubt im gonna be able to get them to front the cash to fix the wheel if it is.