Loss of tyre pressure

[badenstag]

Hi,

I've a problem with the left hand front wheel. It shows a quick loss of tyre pressure (from 2.2 to 0.7 in one week).

I took the wheel to a tyre shop for a check. The first surprise was, that a tube is fitted. They checked the tube, the valve and the carcass.
But they told me, that everything is fine. One week later: no pressure again.

First time I noticed the loss of pressure was in August. At that time the tyre lost 0.4 bar within 4 weeks.

I've no idea what could cause the loss of pressure. What do you think?

Regards
Gerd

P.S.: I've fitted firestone tyres (175HR80) on original alloys

[new to this]

It can only be the tube or the valve,take it back and get them to check it again

Dave

[badenstag]

Thank you, Dave.

Is the usage of a tube mandatory?

Gerd

[new to this]

Thank you, Dave.

Is the usage of a tube mandatory?

Gerd

Gerd

Wire wheels use a inner tube,but stag alloys should only need a tube if the alloy wheel is not holding air,the edges of the alloy rust meaning the tyres dont seal properly,so if you dont want the inner tube get the alloy repaired first

Dave

[Andy S]

Try another garage.

I have standard Stag Alloys and when I had the random collection of tyres fitted to my car replaced we found some tyres had tubes.

The garage did a great job of sorting the alloys so they would hold air so wouldn’t have to use inner tubes anymore.

Wasn’t all plain sailing as 1 tyre still went down by the end of the week. Took it back to the garage and they sorted it.

Andy S

[Phil S]

Had the same problem with my jeep alloys.
The tyre shop wire brushed the inner with it on the balancer and then painted them with what l can only describe as a rubberised paint.
Sealed the ally and no more leaks.
Did it for free on all 4 wheels as l was having 2 tyres.
Phil

[DJT]

I did mine over 3 years ago. Used a wire brush in my drill and cleaned all the powdery deposits off the inside rim, down to a smooth surface. A coat of etch primer and two coats of Smoothrite type paint. New tyres have remained inflated since.

[badenstag]

Thanks to all. First, I'll get back to the garage and give them a chance for improvement.

Gerd

[Andy S]

I forgot to add about the weights that also caused the tyre to lose air.

I’m not sure if it’s the height or width of the rim, but this was also problematic on the Stag alloys. When they balanced the wheel and hammered on the weights this broke the seal on 1 alloy.

Worth mentioning when they balance the wheel and see if they can use adhesive type weights instead.

Andy S

[mole42]

AFAIK they should not use hammer-on weights on alloy wheels. They always used adhesive ones back in the ‘80’s when I had a 2500 ‘S’ with the same alloys.

[dasadrew]

Good grief! I've not seen those hammer-on weights for 30 years or more! My last memory in the 80's was part of the alloy rim falling off with one of those weights after it had corroded away; didn't realise they were still in circulation.

With Gerd's air loss, I can't see how a tyre fitter woudn't be able to see the bubbles when they place the wheel in a water tank rather than trying to guess where it is.

Drew

[badenstag]

They did the check with the tube in a tank. Although, I didn't see this check, but I saw them drying the tube afterwards.
For balancing the wheel they used adhesive type weights on the inside of the rim.

Gerd

[new to this]

They did the check with the tube in a tank. Although, I didn't see this check, but I saw them drying the tube afterwards.
For balancing the wheel they used adhesive type weights on the inside of the rim.

Gerd

Gerd

It must be a very slow leak,i bet its the valve

Dave

[Andy S]

Good grief! I've not seen those hammer-on weights for 30 years or more! My last memory in the 80's was part of the alloy rim falling off with one of those weights after it had corroded away; didn't realise they were still in circulation.

With Gerd's air loss, I can't see how a tyre fitter woudn't be able to see the bubbles when they place the wheel in a water tank rather than trying to guess where it is.

Drew

Yes, was little surprised when it happened to me and that was last year.

Andy S

[Jeff]

Just a thought.......if the tyre had a nail or something that was letting the air out, if the garage did not check the inside of the tyre then the 'prick' could have punctured the inner tube, possibly only slightly but enough to let the air out slowly.

Remember this from pushbike punctures.