Patch a slow leak in a tire

If it was primary vehicle I would find the money to replace it. No sense getting in an accident or stranded over it. I would not recommend tire plugs though. My '77 Fiat came with radial tires and tubes…made it a snap to change tires myself with motorcycle tire irons.

Back to the OP, and Slime. They HATE that stuff! Jt, I owe you an explanation. My post made no sense. I was thinking of a different thread, the one wherein removing a tire by hand was discussed. I was the TV on and was watching the inauguration and not concentrating on what I was doing. Simply spray the product all around the tire.

Where the surface of the tire begins to bubble is likely the source of your leak. In the case of a puncture, you may want to use a tire repair kit to keep your tire properly inflated until you can have it serviced. The leak should then be permanently fixed using a proper tire repair consisting of a cured rubber stem and repair unit.

If the leak is caused by a damaged valve, a trained tire technician can typically replace the valve at a minimal cost. In some cases, however, the tire may need replaced.

If the leak is caused by a damaged wheel, a tire technician may be able to reseat and seal the tire using a bead sealer. After that, insert the plug into the hole in the tire and pull the tool out of it. Cut the plug that remains on the surface as close to the tread as possible. After it dries, you can pump the tire up and drive safely for some time.

NOTE: Remember that such repairs are suitable only for tread damage. If you fix the sidewall like that, th e tire may blow out any moment. You will need a valve removal tool and a new valve core. You may also need a car jack and a lug wrench to remove the wheel if you find it easier. Remove the valve core on the wheel where the tire loses air slowly by inserting the removal tool tip into the stem and rotating it counterclockwise. If you see signs of corrosion, make sure to clean the stem before installing a new core.

Screw a new core in place and pump the tire up. NOTE: Make sure to wear protective glasses, as the old core or debris from the stem may hit you. This is one of the newest and most efficient ways to straighten a wheel. NOTE: Never hammer your aluminum alloy wheels, or they may become totally broken.

Aluminum is quite brittle, so more gentle means should be used to fix such rims. What you can do yourself is clean the wheels from corrosion, as this is one of the reasons why a tire loses air slowly. You will need to remove the wheel from the vehicle and dismount the tire.

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