Tyre Sealant

[shiftin_gear98]

Morning Org,


I have a leaky front tyre. No obvious signs of damage anywhere. I plan to swear at it over the weekend - read, take it off to have a proper look.
Clean it all up and put it back on - fingers crossed that this sorts it.


However if it doesn't - it's a pretty new PR3 - I plan on getting some slime or other. I've never used this kind of product.


Have any of you, and what brand did you go with?


Slime
Gloop
Other


Or do you have any words of wisdom as to what I could try to stop the mystery leak.

[Teejayexc]

Replace the valve.

[glang]

Take the wheel off and roll it in a bowl of water deep enough to immerse it up to the rim including the valve. Rotate it slowly looking for bubbles as you go - could be puncture, rim or valve....

[andy650]

Take the wheel off and roll it in a bowl of water deep enough to immerse it up to the rim including the valve. Rotate it slowly looking for bubbles as you go - could be puncture, rim or valve....

+1.

Find out where the problem is, before taking it apart.

[shiftin_gear98]

Yeah I'm liking that idea - thanks glang.


Just got to find a big bucket.

[embee]

Personally I dislike tyre sealants, I've had unfortunate experience of them. Others will say different.
Corrosion round the seating area and round the valve pocket are good candidates, I had to completely refinish a pair of wheels which had tyre sealant added due to corrosion round the rim inside and particularly bad in the valve pockets.
I've also had a porous Conti tyre, no traceable leaks anywhere and perfect rim, but it lost pressure. The replacement tyre lost nothing so pretty sure it was the carcass.
Recommend the water bath check first.

[Teejayexc]

Yeah I'm liking that idea - thanks glang.


Just got to find a big bucket.

Do you have a bath?

Nothing personal ! :cool::cool:

[SV650rules]

If you don't have anything big enough to get tyre into, brushing water with a bit of washing up liquid in it onto tyre and rim may show bubbles where there is a leak, it is the system gas fitters sometimes use on pipe joints.

[Heorot]

My mechanic mate uses water with a bit of washing up liquid in it in a spray bottle to look for leaks.

[Red Herring]

Ditto the washing up liquid in a bottle advice, rarely fails. Even easier, especially at this time of year, is to find a large puddle and very slowly push the bike through it. Top tip is to wear wellies, unless you really want to find out how waterproof that expensive pair of gortex boots you treated yourself to for Christmas aren't...... Before I did any of that though I'd take the valve cap off and put a dollop of spit in there!

[shiftin_gear98]

All great advice (as i knew you'd all give) thanks.


Ok so I'll spit at it first, then start the swearing.

[shiftin_gear98]

OK so I spat on it. It's not the valve seating or the core. No time to swear at it now.

[Toooldtodie]

Time to swear at summat else then... plenty of candidates!

[shiftin_gear98]

I had another slightly more involved look - didn't have time to take it all apart - plus it was sodding freezing in the garage.
However with my Abba stand and the front lift I was able to get the wheel off the ground, I found the oblong gardening bucket thing we use to be just the right size. Filled it up and with the aid of a very bright torch (no not the Gamma 3) I was able to see the tiniest trace of bubbles coming from the base of the valve. I let all the air out, wiggled the valve as best I could and re-inflated. No more bubbles. I will leave it a day or two to see if this has helped. Basically if it hasn't it looks like the tyre will have to come off next weekend. Queue the swearing then. (I may swear at other things between now and then)

[garynortheast]

, Filled it up and with the aid of a very bright torch (no not the Gamma 3)

I have to confess to using the Gamma 3 in the garage........