Oh no, a flat...

[Edmond]

So I got a flat today. It was leaking slowly last night, but I pumped it back up and didn't notice anything last night. But when I returned to the train station this morning, it was almost all gone. So I managed to get to Gas City and pump it full with air and that's when I heard the air leaking out. I tried to feel where the leak was coming from and lo and behold, there was a two inch nail, bent in half coming from the inside wall.

I took the nail out immediately. Was that the right thing to do?

I did manage to limp home with an escort behind me.

I guess this gives me an excuse to buy 4 new tires!

Has anyone had any experience from that "Fix a flat" stuff that comes in a can?

 

[Ken]

I'd use stuff like "Fix-A-Flat" only in extreme emergencies. I don't see how it can be any good for either the tire or wheel, not to mention upsetting the balance. :eyerole

Truckers use a granular-type of sealant which adjusts for the balance but I forget what it's called now.

_ken

 

[RS84Syr]

I have heard that the Fix-a-flat
makes it difficult to mount a new
tire since it contaminates the rim...
or something like that.

Don't have any personal experience, but
it would be worth looking into.

RS

 

[Ken]

The only contamination you have to worry about is the fact that it is exremely flammable. That's why they include a sticker to put on the tire to warn the next guy that will be changing it.

_ken

 

[RS84Syr]

Like this...

http://www.tiredefects.com/fix-a-flat/Default.htm

 

[Ken]

Thanks for doing the legwork and researching that for me Rick, as well as a big thanks for posting it.

_ken

 

[RS84Syr]

Ahhh, the amazing power of Mr. Google!

 

[Ken]

:L I know him well!

 

[c4 dream]

the fix a flat works good in an emergency... but one piece of advice make sure that if you ever put in your tires and you go to a service station where there going to be working on that tire let them know ahead of time, there have several cases of it exploding.

 

[WhalePirot]

Thanks for the link. I'd heard that tire guys hated the stuff; now I know why.

I plugged a tire tonight, after pullinjg the remains of a screw out of her majesty's BMW tire- slow leaker. It adds spice to an otherwise boring brake job. NOT!

While perhaps not the approved method (applying a patch inside the tire) I have never had a leaky radial tire from a plug I installed. The tools and plugs, plus vulcanizing liquid are rather cheap.

After pulling the nail, ream the hole with the reaming tool. The plug is inserted in the insertion tool's slot, coated with vulcanizing goo, then pushed most of the way into the hole. Air up and go!

.Only holes in the tread area are to be repaired this way!!!!! Sidewall holes are not fixable this way! The sidewall does not have radial cords in it and starts at the edge of the tread. If in doubt, ask a tire shop.

 

[Edmond]

The type of "fix a flat" I was looking at wasn't the green kind of stuff. This was a clear kind of liquid and the can said "up to 14 inch rims" so I immediately ruled that out.

Now, the green stuff, will that get me to the service station? It's less than 3 miles away and I can take side streets.

You guys are awesome!

 

[LarryBible]

If you're going to plug tires, I STRONGLY recommend the "Safety Seal" product.

It does not use a glue. The glues will rust the belt and cause separation. The Safety Seal vulcanizes itself to the tire. I have used them with great success even on punctures that usually render a tire useless.

Do a search for Safety-Seal and you will find plenty of vendors.

If you will use this plugging method, there will be no need to feel guilty about not patching on the inside.

It is usually easy to plug a tire without removing it from the car. You could carry the Safety Seal kit in one of the cubby holes behind the seat along with one of those little 12volt compressors and be ready for almost anything, even helping a "damsel in distress."

Good luck,

 

[dmkoger]

My '00 Owners Manual states not to use any of the fix-a-flat products, because they could damage the tire pressure sensors. I carry one of those cheapie 12-volt compressors.

 

[lt4 gs]

It WILL damage the lp sensors........guaranteed.......BTDT

 

[Edmond]

I don't think I even have low pressure sensors on my vehicle. If I did, they sure weren't working, LOL. But I have an 88' and I don't think they were offered until 91 or so?

 

[dmkoger]

OK, you may not have them. I posted that msg because several other people had made comments about those fix-a-flat products. The last price I got on the sensors was $75 EACH.

 

[RS84Syr]

This may sound dumb, but ...

Doesn't anyone change a freakin tire anymore?

Granted, I haven't done it in years.
But seeing that I have a spare tire, I always thought
that if I had a flat, that I would simply change the
tire. And yes, regularly check the tire and jack
like you would any backup system.

Just a thought.

RS

p.s. I know the late-C4 and C5 types have the
fancy smancy pressure sensors, so they should
never have this problem.