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04-03-2015, 05:22 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: East Bay CA
Posts: 1,078
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Slow, but maybe accelerating, leak
I've had a slow leak in my rear BFG AT KO for a while now. But it seems to be leaking more; after my last trip it lost 30lbs over 45 days. Seems like a lot; before it would go down maybe 5-10lbs, and the acceleration is what concerns me most. I checked the valve stem, as sometimes with air up/air down I've had issues, but it's not losing any appreciable air.
I'm wondering if patching is an option. I've always had catastrophic, non repairable flats, not slow leaks, so this is a first for me.
Worth repairing, or just new shoes? I'd probably go for a pair of the new KO2s, although they sorta don't quite match the front, which probably won't be much of an issue actually.
__________________
2001 Ford E250 Sportsmobile with Salem-Kroger 4x4 conversion
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04-03-2015, 05:26 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: San Francisco/Nevada City
Posts: 3,769
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Re: Slow, but maybe accelerating, leak
Take it to a shop.. If it's in the tread, there's good plugs today... But they need to take the tire off the rim to install. If it's in the sidewall, you're screwed.
But if you decide to get new shoes... I'll looking for two very used tires for my trailer and would be happy to take them off your hands (assuming they're 285/75-16)!
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04-03-2015, 05:37 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 10,177
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Re: Slow, but maybe accelerating, leak
Could be along the bead. While I'm running low pressure, I've actually gotten debris caught between the rim and the bead.
Get a spray bottle of soapy water and go to town.
Herb
__________________
SMB-less as of 02/04/2012. Our savings account is richer, but our adventures are poorer.
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04-03-2015, 05:42 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: East Bay CA
Posts: 1,078
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Re: Slow, but maybe accelerating, leak
Quote:
Originally Posted by rallypanam
Take it to a shop.. If it's in the tread, there's good plugs today... But they need to take the tire off the rim to install. If it's in the sidewall, you're screwed.
But if you decide to get new shoes... I'll looking for two very used tires for my trailer and would be happy to take them off your hands (assuming they're 285/75-16)!
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Dude, you have a conflict of interest! But they are.
I started wondering about the age. Couldn't sworn they were younger; they're stamped 25 10, which I guess is June 2010, right. So still got some life. A bit scalloped; I had moved back to front; the scalloping came as my ball joints wore out. No cracks. About 30K on them.
So I might just go for 4 anyway, since I'm gonna be putting a lotta miles on.
They'd be nice for a trailer since they're D range; can't get anything but E anymore in this size and model.
__________________
2001 Ford E250 Sportsmobile with Salem-Kroger 4x4 conversion
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04-03-2015, 05:45 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: East Bay CA
Posts: 1,078
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Re: Slow, but maybe accelerating, leak
Quote:
Originally Posted by BroncoHauler
Could be along the bead. While I'm running low pressure, I've actually gotten debris caught between the rim and the bead.
Get a spray bottle of soapy water and go to town.
Herb
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I have a spray bottle already set up for that (gotta keep my kegerator CO2 in shape). Couldn't find anything, and getting in the tread is too much.
I'll leaning toward new. I just know I'd be up by myself on Steen's Mountain again this summer and instead of enjoying the ride I'd be thinking about that tire....
__________________
2001 Ford E250 Sportsmobile with Salem-Kroger 4x4 conversion
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04-03-2015, 06:21 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: San Francisco/Nevada City
Posts: 3,769
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Re: Slow, but maybe accelerating, leak
I definitely have a conflict of interest!
But also agree on wanting good rubber and piece of mind.
Let me know if you need me take them off your hands..
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04-03-2015, 06:33 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: East Bay CA
Posts: 1,078
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Re: Slow, but maybe accelerating, leak
Quote:
Originally Posted by rallypanam
I definitely have a conflict of interest!
But also agree on wanting good rubber and piece of mind.
Let me know if you need me take them off your hands..
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Probably; they may give me a bit of a deal on new ones. I dunno why I'm even hesitating; on road vehicles I get new rubber as soon as I possibly can. If I were made of money I'd be switching 'em like a F1 driver.
__________________
2001 Ford E250 Sportsmobile with Salem-Kroger 4x4 conversion
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04-03-2015, 07:28 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: San Francisco/Nevada City
Posts: 3,769
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Re: Slow, but maybe accelerating, leak
Quote:
Originally Posted by rob_gendreau
Quote:
Originally Posted by rallypanam
I definitely have a conflict of interest!
But also agree on wanting good rubber and piece of mind.
Let me know if you need me take them off your hands..
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Probably; they may give me a bit of a deal on new ones. I dunno why I'm even hesitating; on road vehicles I get new rubber as soon as I possibly can. If I were made of money I'd be switching 'em like a F1 driver.
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Lemme know!
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04-03-2015, 07:59 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 323
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Re: Slow, but maybe accelerating, leak
I have had three aluminum alloy wheels split. They start out smaller than a hair line crack but as the crack gets longer it gets wider and loses more air. If you cannot find the nail or screw that is causing the leak you will have to take the tire off and inspect the inside. If the offending piece of metal or thorn can be found and pulled out you can plug the leak. I have plugged a leak (3/8 inch bolt driven through the tread) when driving back from Toroweep. Did not take the wheel/tire assembly off of the van. Used the rasp too clean out the hole, brushed on the goop, installed the plug, cut the plug and inflated the tire. The plug lasted for 2 years.
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04-03-2015, 08:04 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 10,177
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Re: Slow, but maybe accelerating, leak
Quote:
Originally Posted by SierraHawk
I have had three aluminum alloy wheels split. They start out smaller than a hair line crack but as the crack gets longer it gets wider and loses more air. ....
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Great suggestion, I hadn't even thought of that possibility.
Herb
__________________
SMB-less as of 02/04/2012. Our savings account is richer, but our adventures are poorer.
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