Question about slowie's

Knubje · 5 Jul 2010 at 10:12

Hi,

I have had two slow tyres for a few months now. I have been filling up with air every week or so to compensate the loss. This is a bit of a pain in the backside. I'm losing about 10psi every 10 days or so on average I think. (Front+Rear driver side tyres).

I have checked them and can't see any nails or anything lodged in. The tyres are old but not used (bought the car off a granny). There is plenty of tred on them and so I'm reluctant to replace fully if I don't have too.

They are just standard road tyres, nothing special, very mundane.

Is it worth using any kits to try and stop the slowie? Does anyone have any recommendations/reservations about doing this?

Thanks!

PhillyDee · 5 Jul 2010 at 10:13

Have you cheacked the valve?

Knubje · 5 Jul 2010 at 10:15

PhillyDee said:
Have you cheacked the valve?

Good point. One of them seems perfectly normal the other I've noticed on the odd occasion is a little fiddly when filling up with air.

I suppose that isn't good and should probably just be replaced?♠

Bill101 · 5 Jul 2010 at 10:20

Take them to an independent type fitter and they will check where the leak is, a new valve is only cheap, or they may just need re seating on the beading (maybe granny kerbed the wheels once too often!)
Kwik fit, ATS and similar places will only be interested in selling you two brand new tyres.

Gib_Gib · 5 Jul 2010 at 10:24

When tyres are old (3 years plus) they can become more brittle and often start leaking slowly, there are calls for tyres to legally be changed when they hit 3 years old (doubt this will ever happen). And a legal tread might just be old and past it, look for sidewall cracking.

Plus the wheel can often be cracked (more often in alloys)

Finglonga · 5 Jul 2010 at 10:34

Small garden sprayer bottle and a weak mix of washing up liquid and spray around the valve and inner and outer rim. Any bubbles and that's your slow puncture.

Just mark the tyre with chalk and take them to a local tyre fitter and get them to have a look.

Knubje · 5 Jul 2010 at 10:38

Hmm given the fact that the tyres are probably a good few years old and what you said Gib Gib I might just find a couple of cheap standard road tyres.

I've read somewhere that people who use the slowie stopper stuff have also experienced blow-outs later on down the line. I wouldn't want to put the Mrs through that I don't think (it's her car).