Tyre air loss: Second opinion

[SpeedBash]

I was planning on changing my front tyres but they are not as low as I had initially thought and have at least 6 months wear in them if not more.

However, one of them keeps losing air but, upon checking, there does not seem to be a puncture.

Took it to one of these back shop tyre places and the chap removed the tyre and checked it thoroughly but couldn't find any sign of puncture or anything else that could cause the air loss.

He said it's not unusual for this to happen with a tyre and that it is safe to use - I just need to keep an eye on it.

Anyone had a similar experience? Does the above sound correct?

It's been like this for a few weeks now and I haven't had any adverse issue even with the car being driven on the motorway at speed.

[marcus85]

Did he check the valve and the bead for leaks?

[HustleRussell]

The wheel could've gone porous.

[SpeedBash]

marcus85 said:

Did he check the valve and the bead for leaks?

Yes.

[SpeedBash]

HustleRussell said:

The wheel could've gone porous.

Just remembered, hence the double post, when he said this tends to happen he actually said this tends to happen with alloy wheels.

Sound right?

[HustleRussell]

Yep that only really happens on Alloys. If you have steels it's more likely the tyres. It depends on the rate at which the tyre deflates, but if the leak was so small the tyre fitter couldn't find it, I think I'd probably just bung some tyreweld in it and use it as normal (assuming there is no visible damage or signs of delamination).

[NateWM]

I've had this problem many times on older cars that I have owned, most recently on my 13 year old Accord. If he has checked the valve and checked for punctures and found nothing, I would say it's corrosion. 99% of the time, it's corroded on the inside edge of the rim (NOT the bead). I had it on both front wheels of my Accord.

Fixing it is quite simple. They remove the tyre, grind of any corrosion and then apply a sticky black paste similiar to tigerseal around the inner rim and then re-fit the tyre. I've had it done numerous times without bother and always had air tight tyres afterwards. Only issue is when fitting new tyres afterwards, you have to remember to mention it will need new paste putting on otherwise it will leak again.

[RLK500]

Large dustbin, fill with water, immerse wheel and tyre into water. Any leaks should be clear straight away. Alternatively, soapy water spread around the wheel, should show if you have leaks as the bubbles will grow where the air is leaking.