QUESTION: strange RFT tire pressure leak

pixelblue · 08-23-2010, 08:02 AM

Hi folks,
been having a slow tire pressure leak over the last few months. it got so bad that I was losing 10-20 lbs a day last week. so I figured it's time to have it changed and I went a head and bought a used RFT rear tire from a member on this forum. was getting ready to have it mounted but now the pressure has been holding steady over the last few days. what in the world is going on? was wondering if anyone has a rational explanation to what maybe happening here. should I change the tire or not? much obliged

bluesunit · 08-23-2010, 12:10 PM

Have you taken the wheel off the car and inspected the tire?

If there is a object in the tire which is causing the leak, it could have gotten repositioned enough to plug the hole. Usually this works the other way though . . . the nail comes out and leaves you with a flat.

Any trauma to the rim?

Possible visit by the tire patch gnomes?

I'd get it replaced/patched regardless; Something is clearly not right.

pixelblue · 08-23-2010, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluesunit

Have you taken the wheel off the car and inspected the tire?

If there is a object in the tire which is causing the leak, it could have gotten repositioned enough to plug the hole. Usually this works the other way though . . . the nail comes out and leaves you with a flat.

Any trauma to the rim?

Possible visit by the tire patch gnomes?

I'd get it replaced/patched regardless; Something is clearly not right.

hey thanks, tire and wheels are in good condition. they have been on and off many times during the last few months but haven't had any trauma to the wheels or tires. though did hit a few pot holes which were jarring. I was told these tires can't be plugged or patched. further adding to the uselessness of this setup not counting how ridiculously expensive. I would have been down for a new set of rubber if it wasn't because of the boatload of money I have spent this month.

bluesunit · 08-23-2010, 03:40 PM

If the wheels and tires look good, it could be the valve stem/TPMS sensor leaking.

Soak the tire/wheel in soapy water and see if you are getting bubbles.

ianc · 08-23-2010, 03:44 PM

Quote:

If the wheels and tires look good, it could be the valve stem/TPMS sensor leaking.

This.

Check the stem for tightness on the rim; I think it's an 11 mm wrench...

ianc

pixelblue · 08-23-2010, 03:47 PM

thanks guys! I will check the valve stem.

Hops128i · 08-24-2010, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixelblue

Hi folks,
been having a slow tire pressure leak over the last few months. it got so bad that I was losing 10-20 lbs a day last week. so I figured it's time to have it changed and I went a head and bought a used RFT rear tire from a member on this forum. was getting ready to have it mounted but now the pressure has been holding steady over the last few days. what in the world is going on? was wondering if anyone has a rational explanation to what maybe happening here. should I change the tire or not? much obliged

I had a manageable leak, but it varied quite a bit. I found it was a wood screw causing the problem. When I parked with the screw touching the pavement, it seemed the leak was much faster.

I was actually lucky the puncture was obvious, and lodged straight into the tire in the middle of the tread. When I removed the screw, the tire completely deflated in a few minutes. I managed to plug it with a $10 plug repair kit, it has held for a few thousand miles.

08-23-2010, 08:02 AM	#1
pixelblue Colonel 140 Rep 2,234 Posts Drives: the silver bullet Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: northern virginia iTrader: (2) Garage List 2010 135i [8.90]	QUESTION: strange RFT tire pressure leak Hi folks, been having a slow tire pressure leak over the last few months. it got so bad that I was losing 10-20 lbs a day last week. so I figured it's time to have it changed and I went a head and bought a used RFT rear tire from a member on this forum. was getting ready to have it mounted but now the pressure has been holding steady over the last few days. what in the world is going on? was wondering if anyone has a rational explanation to what maybe happening here. should I change the tire or not? much obliged __________________ "I would quote everything pixelblue said, but you've already read it. Take it from someone who's put the 1 through its paces"
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08-23-2010, 12:10 PM	#2
bluesunit Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 202 Posts Drives: D-Stock 135i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: The South iTrader: (3)	Have you taken the wheel off the car and inspected the tire? If there is a object in the tire which is causing the leak, it could have gotten repositioned enough to plug the hole. Usually this works the other way though . . . the nail comes out and leaves you with a flat. Any trauma to the rim? Possible visit by the tire patch gnomes? I'd get it replaced/patched regardless; Something is clearly not right.
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08-23-2010, 03:40 PM	#4
bluesunit Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 202 Posts Drives: D-Stock 135i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: The South iTrader: (3)	If the wheels and tires look good, it could be the valve stem/TPMS sensor leaking. Soak the tire/wheel in soapy water and see if you are getting bubbles.
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08-23-2010, 03:47 PM	#6
pixelblue Colonel 140 Rep 2,234 Posts Drives: the silver bullet Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: northern virginia iTrader: (2) Garage List 2010 135i [8.90]	thanks guys! I will check the valve stem. __________________ "I would quote everything pixelblue said, but you've already read it. Take it from someone who's put the 1 through its paces"
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