Tire Leak. Easy Fix?

[lmannyr]

Hey, 3 out of my 4 tires have slow leaks. The tires are new December 08. The rims are well, rims used on a trailer that goes in saltwater.

Anyhow, 1st tire pulled off and placed in a tank of water and noticed a small leak on the rim tire junction.

Do you think Fix-a-Flat in a can would fix this?

 

[nlain]

Re: Tire Leak. Easy Fix?

I won't say no it will not fix it but I seriously doubt it. If the leak was in the tread probably, but then you would have a nail, screw or something that needed fixed anyway. I have used it to get home or to the tire store be it is not a easy fix permanently. You probably have rust in the bead area on the wheel, need to break down and clean to get a good seal.

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Tire Leak. Easy Fix?

Will a tire shop clean up the rim for the reseal?

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Tire Leak. Easy Fix?

What material is the finish on the rims? painted chrome or usually a good sand or repaint will take care of bead leaks like that. The fix a flat may work but could let go at the worst possible time. Take a trip be out on the lake for 2-3 days come back to 2 flats. The tire store will generally look at the bead surface and clean up as needed and will use the sealant if questionable. I had a tent trailer that would do that exact thing and the only thing that worked was to have tires dismounted, sand and smooth the bead surfaces inner and outer and repaint, after that never leaked a bit even sitting 6-8 months.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Tire Leak. Easy Fix?

Some tire shops do use something called Bead Sealer if the rims are rusty or rough, sometimes though the only real fix is new rims. If the bead area is that pitted or rusty, it may just be time to replace the rims. I rarely reuse rims that are salt rusted or pitted.

The bead sealer is a black tar like substance which they brush along the bead. It's a real mess to clean up the next time you replace the tires though, but from the sound of things, this may be the last time for new tires on those rims?
Another old timer's trick is to grease the bead area when mounting the tire. Some shops use hand cleaner for this too.

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Tire Leak. Easy Fix?

reelfishin,

Thats exactly what walmart tire shop did, black tar looking stuff on the bead. Hopefully it'll work.

Thanks for the input.

PS....it was free too!!!