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Author Topic: Tips on Finding Slow Tire Leak?  (Read 1255 times)

Ben

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Tips on Finding Slow Tire Leak?
« on: August 04, 2019, 01:24:29 PM »
I've got a leak on my truck tire - about 1 PSI every couple of days. I got tired of adding air every 10-14 days, so took it to my little podunk tire shop, where the guy said he couldn't find any leak.

Nevertheless it's leaking. I'm guessing I got a thorn through the tire from limbing a few of these damn Russian olive trees I have. I was hauling branches from along my road to my burn pile, and I'm betting one of those nasty thorns pierced the tire. Any tips for trying to find the leak (whether it's from the thorn or not) that the tire shop wouldn't have already used?
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bedlamite

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Re: Tips on Finding Slow Tire Leak?
« Reply #1 on: August 04, 2019, 01:35:14 PM »
I've always used a dishsoap/water mix in a spray bottle. It may help to inflate it to the max pressure on the tire.
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Re: Tips on Finding Slow Tire Leak?
« Reply #2 on: August 04, 2019, 01:37:07 PM »
Sounds like you need to take it off, inflate it, grab a beer to drink for when you submerge the tire and watch patiently for a bubble or two.

bob
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HeroHog

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Re: Tips on Finding Slow Tire Leak?
« Reply #3 on: August 04, 2019, 01:58:33 PM »
Sounds like a bead leak. Break down tire, clean tire bead, clean rim bead area using Scotch-Brite pad, lube and re-seat tire.
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Re: Tips on Finding Slow Tire Leak?
« Reply #4 on: August 04, 2019, 02:09:39 PM »
replace the valve core itself and see what happens

Could be a bead leak as Hero Hog says

Big leaks are easy to find. Very slow are a pain in the ass. I deal with finding slow leaks in A/C systems and it’s maddening
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Re: Tips on Finding Slow Tire Leak?
« Reply #5 on: August 04, 2019, 02:23:16 PM »
Ugh. Nothing is easy. I might try the soap and water and have a beer thing first. I happened to get the one surly guy at the tire shop, and they were kinda busy. I left the truck while I went next door for lunch so he wouldn't feel rushed, but he might have spent five minutes and called it done.
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K Frame

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Re: Tips on Finding Slow Tire Leak?
« Reply #6 on: August 04, 2019, 03:12:00 PM »
Valve core/valve stem step one.

Removing the tire, cleaning up the bead area, and using a bead sealant step 2.

Pulling the tire and submerging it in water step 3. But it's leaking that slowly, it's going to take some time to find it.

Step 4? A can of Tire Slime.
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HeroHog

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Re: Tips on Finding Slow Tire Leak?
« Reply #7 on: August 04, 2019, 03:14:38 PM »
If you use the Tire Slime, your tire guy is going to HATE you...
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Re: Tips on Finding Slow Tire Leak?
« Reply #8 on: August 04, 2019, 03:22:00 PM »
Another vote fore a valve stem leak. If the leak isn't obvious from the tire or arounf the bead, it's the next logical step.

Brad
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Re: Tips on Finding Slow Tire Leak?
« Reply #9 on: August 04, 2019, 03:25:13 PM »
Quote from: bedlamite on August 04, 2019, 01:35:14 PM
I've always used a dishsoap/water mix in a spray bottle. It may help to inflate it to the max pressure on the tire.

^^^ That method has always worked for me.

Be sure to check the valve stem.
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Re: Tips on Finding Slow Tire Leak?
« Reply #10 on: August 04, 2019, 03:51:13 PM »
Had this problem once. Took wheel off, set it upright in a wheelbarrow, and filled it with water, then repositioned the wheel several times to find the leak.
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zahc

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Re: Tips on Finding Slow Tire Leak?
« Reply #11 on: August 04, 2019, 04:21:45 PM »
It could be the rim too. Many aluminum rims are porous and have slow leaks. There are some service bulletins on how to fix the faster leakers.
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Re: Tips on Finding Slow Tire Leak?
« Reply #12 on: August 04, 2019, 06:29:08 PM »
Quote from: HeroHog on August 04, 2019, 03:14:38 PM
If you use the Tire Slime, your tire guy is going to HATE you...

Must have been in there when I bought the truck....
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Re: Tips on Finding Slow Tire Leak?
« Reply #13 on: August 04, 2019, 07:58:49 PM »
Epoxy paint the inside of the rim where the tire is to seal porous rims. My SUV slowly loses air. twice a year It needs air.
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Re: Tips on Finding Slow Tire Leak?
« Reply #14 on: August 05, 2019, 12:10:01 AM »
Quote from: bedlamite on August 04, 2019, 01:35:14 PM
I've always used a dishsoap/water mix in a spray bottle. It may help to inflate it to the max pressure on the tire.
this always worked for me
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Re: Tips on Finding Slow Tire Leak?
« Reply #15 on: August 05, 2019, 12:15:28 PM »
Quote from: HeroHog on August 04, 2019, 03:14:38 PM
If you use the Tire Slime, your tire guy is going to HATE you...

Well, judging by Ben's second post his tire guy already hates him, so slime away...
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HeroHog

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Re: Tips on Finding Slow Tire Leak?
« Reply #16 on: August 05, 2019, 06:38:17 PM »
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Ben

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Re: Tips on Finding Slow Tire Leak?
« Reply #17 on: August 05, 2019, 07:02:11 PM »
Quote from: Mike Irwin on August 05, 2019, 12:15:28 PM
Well, judging by Ben's second post his tire guy already hates him, so slime away...

Well if it were surly man, I'd fill it with the slime that comes in eau deskunk fragrance.  =D

But the owner is a nice guy, and I'd hate to stick him with it.
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Re: Tips on Finding Slow Tire Leak?
« Reply #18 on: August 06, 2019, 07:56:52 AM »
I watched part of that video before I fell asleep last night. Interesting results with the Fix-A-Flat. I've never heard of that happening with it before. I wonder if he got a bad batch...
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Re: Tips on Finding Slow Tire Leak?
« Reply #19 on: August 06, 2019, 09:03:29 AM »
Quote from: Mike Irwin on August 06, 2019, 07:56:52 AM
I watched part of that video before I fell asleep last night. Interesting results with the Fix-A-Flat. I've never heard of that happening with it before. I wonder if he got a bad batch...
Made me worry about the can of Fix-A-Flat I've got in my wife's car.
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Ben

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Re: Tips on Finding Slow Tire Leak?
« Reply #20 on: August 06, 2019, 09:06:16 AM »
Yeah, that was an interesting video. My main use of that type of product would be off road in the boonies, as an, "I need a quick fix to get out of here" solution.
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zahc

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Re: Tips on Finding Slow Tire Leak?
« Reply #21 on: August 06, 2019, 09:45:54 AM »
I've used fix a flat before and had it work at least somewhat.
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Re: Tips on Finding Slow Tire Leak?
« Reply #22 on: August 06, 2019, 11:50:28 AM »
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