Slowly deflating tyre - twice - buckled wheel?

[Baryonyx]

Morning,

Last week I noticed that the front O/S tyre on my Impreza was looking a little doughy when I got to work. A quick check of the pressure showed it was a bit deflated, and fearing a slow puncture, I had the tyres changed last Wednesday.

Now, when I've finished work this morning, the front O/S tyre was again looking a little soft though it felt okay driving home and now that I'm back it looks the same as the other tyres. I suppose I could have been parked on a slight incline at work leaning the weight of the car on the O/S, but I am somewhat concerned. The fitter who changed the tyres last time could find no obvious puncture with the front O/S tyre.

So what could be making my tyre deflate (if it is indeed deflating)? Could it be that the wheel is buckled and air is seeping out on the rim? The wheel has never been kerbed, though I've rode over plenty of potholes. The ride is as smooth and supple as ever with no wobble, the steering is similarly normal. I am at a loss with this one!

[CR6ZZ]

Had a similar problem on my car. Turned out to be leaking valve stems.

[Baryonyx]

Hmm, I will measure the pressure in the tyre this afternoon. If it seems to be going down I'll try a new valve stem.

Or sell the car. I have been dreaming of getting something else.

[Oldandslow]

IME most tyre places have a big tub of water to dunk wheels in and look for bubbles.

[Baryonyx]

Oldandslow said:

IME most tyre places have a big tub of water to dunk wheels in and look for bubbles.

I got a mobile fitter to come and sort my tyres, I've used them several times and they've always done a great job. He mentioned that the first issue could have been slowly leaking schrader valve. It's something for me to look into.

Now, to steer myself away from BMW E39 7's...

[m8rky]

Could be rim leak or a porous alloy wheel.The rim leak can sometimes be cured by removing or pushing the tyre away from the edge and cleaning any corrosion away from the bead seat.Porous wheel can not be cured.

[4keymonsta]

Probably the valve, alternatively fill it up with tyre weld, fitters love it when you do that

[angusc43]

m8rky said:

Could be rim leak or a porous alloy wheel.The rim leak can sometimes be cured by removing or pushing the tyre away from the edge and cleaning any corrosion away from the bead seat.Porous wheel can not be cured.

Had this on a couple of alloys on the wife's Clio.

£15 fix at local fitters.

[rb5er]

I had this problem. Turned out to be a hairline crack on the inside edge of the rim.

[lexusboy]

When we have this issue at work with no obvious damage to the tyre we clean up the seat with a wire wheel and use a different bead sealing paste