Can anything be done about a slow leaky tire?

SzczerbiakManiac · 04-28-2009, 09:25 AM

One of the tires on my car has a slow leak and I need to add air about every 10 days. Is there something cheap I can do to fix it or am I gonna have to get new tires? I've heard there is some kind of aerosol you can squirt into the tire that coats the inside and effectively plugs the leak, but I don't know if they really work or if there are other issues associated with them.

DreadPirateRoberts · 04-28-2009, 09:27 AM

The stop leak stuff is a temporary patch, at best. Fix it right, take it to a place like discount tire. Normally they will find the problem (most likely a nail or a screw) and repair for about $15.

Betty · 04-28-2009, 09:27 AM

We've got the can of fixleak. I had a nail in my tire. It did not work for that. Maybe it will work for your slow leak?

BarTopDancer · 04-28-2009, 09:30 AM

I second taking it to a tire place like America's Best or Discount Tire and have them find and fix the leak. Much cheaper than new tires.

Kevy Baby · 04-28-2009, 10:00 AM

DO NOT USE FIX A FLAT. Those should only be used in emergencies.

Though unlikely, it MAY be a leaky valve stem. Rare, but it does happen.

Take it to a tire place. They can probably find the leak fairly easily and patch it or plug it (though a patch is better, they usually charge more for it).

Don't keep driving on it - you will prematurely wear the tire.

SzczerbiakManiac · 04-28-2009, 10:47 AM

Oi, taking it to a tire place is something I was hoping to avoid. They take forever and are expensive.

But I genuinely appreciate the advice, thank you!

BarTopDancer · 04-28-2009, 10:50 AM

If you go to Discount Tire or America's Best it shouldn't be more than $30 or so and take about a half hour. I think when I got my tire patched it was $15 or $20, but I can't remember.

DreadPirateRoberts · 04-28-2009, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarTopDancer

If you go to Discount Tire or America's Best it shouldn't be more than $30 or so and take about a half hour. I think when I got my tire patched it was $15 or $20, but I can't remember.

I agree with BTD, it was quick, easy, and cheap. Didn't cost much more than a couple of cans of fix-a-flat.

madmonkeygirl · 04-28-2009, 10:56 AM

I had a slow leak in my tire awhile back due to a screw stuck in the tire. Took it to my garage and they didn't even charge me for the repair (patch job) well that held for awhile then it slowly leaked yet again. So i basically said forget this repairing it just replace it and ended up replacing the tire for PEACE of MIND. Period.

04-28-2009, 09:25 AM	#1
SzczerbiakManiac "ZER-bee-ak" Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,409	Can anything be done about a slow leaky tire? One of the tires on my car has a slow leak and I need to add air about every 10 days. Is there something cheap I can do to fix it or am I gonna have to get new tires? I've heard there is some kind of aerosol you can squirt into the tire that coats the inside and effectively plugs the leak, but I don't know if they really work or if there are other issues associated with them. __________________
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04-28-2009, 09:27 AM	#2
DreadPirateRoberts Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,483	The stop leak stuff is a temporary patch, at best. Fix it right, take it to a place like discount tire. Normally they will find the problem (most likely a nail or a screw) and repair for about $15.
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04-28-2009, 09:27 AM	#3
Betty Kicking up my heels! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Silver State Posts: 3,783	We've got the can of fixleak. I had a nail in my tire. It did not work for that. Maybe it will work for your slow leak? __________________ Nee Stell Thue
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04-28-2009, 09:30 AM	#4
BarTopDancer Prepping... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Here, there, everywhere Posts: 11,405	I second taking it to a tire place like America's Best or Discount Tire and have them find and fix the leak. Much cheaper than new tires. __________________ Spork is the new MacGyver Postcards From My Edge
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04-28-2009, 10:00 AM	#5
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	DO NOT USE FIX A FLAT. Those should only be used in emergencies. Though unlikely, it MAY be a leaky valve stem. Rare, but it does happen. Take it to a tire place. They can probably find the leak fairly easily and patch it or plug it (though a patch is better, they usually charge more for it). Don't keep driving on it - you will prematurely wear the tire. __________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
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04-28-2009, 10:47 AM	#6
SzczerbiakManiac "ZER-bee-ak" Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,409	Oi, taking it to a tire place is something I was hoping to avoid. They take forever and are expensive. But I genuinely appreciate the advice, thank you! __________________
	Submit to Quotes

04-28-2009, 10:50 AM	#7
BarTopDancer Prepping... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Here, there, everywhere Posts: 11,405	If you go to Discount Tire or America's Best it shouldn't be more than $30 or so and take about a half hour. I think when I got my tire patched it was $15 or $20, but I can't remember. __________________ Spork is the new MacGyver Postcards From My Edge
	Submit to Quotes

04-28-2009, 10:56 AM	#9
madmonkeygirl Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 764	I had a slow leak in my tire awhile back due to a screw stuck in the tire. Took it to my garage and they didn't even charge me for the repair (patch job) well that held for awhile then it slowly leaked yet again. So i basically said forget this repairing it just replace it and ended up replacing the tire for PEACE of MIND. Period.
	Submit to Quotes