Hi all,

 

Quick question to get some other views.

 

A quick background:

2004 MK6 Fiesta

Summer last year I replaced all four tyres on the standard alloys (16") with new tyres, with no issues.

I then bought some 17" alloys and ran them for the rest of the summer.

I put the 16" alloys back on earlier this winter as they had better tread.

 

 

Since putting the 16" alloys on, they are loosing air in a seemingly increasing manner. I can inflate them to 35psi, but within a week, 1 can be at 15psi, 1 at 20 etc.

 

I am now getting fed up of pumping them up! The 17" alloys don't seem to be great at holding air either.

 

One thought I have had is to get some of that tyre sealant that isn't a temporary puncture repair, the stuff you can put in and leave, to see if that helps.

 

However, I think the air loss is coming from the bead seal (there aren't any nails etc in the tyres). I had the beads re-sealed last summer, and that worked for a period of time. Most of the liquid solutions seem to say not suitable for bead sealing issues.

 

I know that the best solution is to have the alloys refurbished, but I can't quite afford that at the mo.

 

Any suggestions/thoughts?

Thanks, Matt

What are the alloys themselves like, old?  I've known them to get porous and lose air through the body of the alloy.

 

Do you have a big bath tub/kids paddling pool?  Try pumping the tyre up, over inflate it to say 50 psi, and submerse it. Fair chance you'll see bubbles from somewhere if they are losing that much air.

 

I think sealant might work but it would only be temporary and wrecks the tyres, I'd try and live with it until you can sort properly.

as neiln correctly states, if you use tyre sealant and get a puncture, your tyre will be scrap, as a puncture can not be  repaired after using this product

Yes, some good points. I thought that this liquid stuff might not be good for the tyres. Alloys are the same age as the car so 11 years.

 

I like the paddling pool idea! I think I have seen tyre fitters using water and washing up liquid in a spray bottle, sprayed over the tyre, obviously any air leaks cause more bubbles!

 

I'll stick with them for a little longer.