Leaky fit between tires and aluminum rims

[Uncle Ben]

I spent two years with some new tires that leaked, slowly at first but
increasingly as time went on, finally refilling them every two days. A
local mechanic tried scrubbing the rims thoroughly and re-mounting the
tires. That helped for a while, but eventually all of them leaked
enough that I had to recheck them too often.

Is there any downside to the use of a sealing compound between tire and
rim? I have in mind a rubber-like automotive weatherstrip cement that
works to hold together my rubber sandals now and then.

Is there a better solution, short of new rims and tires?

Ben

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

I spent two years with some new tires that leaked, slowly at first but
increasingly as time went on, finally refilling them every two days. A
local mechanic tried scrubbing the rims thoroughly and re-mounting the
tires. That helped for a while, but eventually all of them leaked
enough that I had to recheck them too often.

Is there any downside to the use of a sealing compound between tire and
rim? I have in mind a rubber-like automotive weatherstrip cement that
works to hold together my rubber sandals now and then.

Is there a better solution, short of new rims and tires?

Ben

I'm not saying the problem isn't at the rim - but there have been
instances of alloy wheels (is that waht you have?) needing a sealant
applied(on the'inside'). They can, under some circumstances ,be so
porous as to allow air to escape. I think this happened on some Ford
rims in the mid 90s - probably others as well.

I dunno

Carl

 

[Robert L Wilson]

I don't know where you live. Here in Wisconsin the salt on the roads in
winter accelerates corrosion of the aluminum rims. Both our 1995 and 1997
Outbacks have had this same problem. I eventually took them to a local
repair shop I trusted, and they did apply some sort of sealer, and the
problem has gone away for over a year now. I am pretty sure the leak was
where the tire meets the rim, not porous rims, although I have also heard of
those as another poster mentioned. I think the corroded surface "flakes off"
at a microscopic scale and the little canyons are too small for the rubber
to fit into, and the sealer is sort of like a varnish that fills in,
builds up a surface the rubber can make good contact with, and also protects
the metal from corroding further.
Bob Wilson

 

[Edward Hayes]

When I lived in IL. I discovered that the salt-water would get between
the tire & rim because the tires were low on air. I then checked and
set my tires cold in the coldest weather and never a problem. Tires
loose about 1 psig for every 10 F. so if you set them on a 50 degree
day and the temp drops to zero, then your running 5psi low and when
you drive and the tire flexes, the salt gets in.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

When I lived in IL. I discovered that the salt-water would get between
the tire & rim because the tires were low on air. I then checked and
set my tires cold in the coldest weather and never a problem. Tires
loose about 1 psig for every 10 F. so if you set them on a 50 degree
day and the temp drops to zero, then your running 5psi low and when
you drive and the tire flexes, the salt gets in.

Ah - makes sense. Something a native Texan would not know!

Carl

 

[Stephen H]

I don't know where you live. Here in Wisconsin the salt on the roads in
winter accelerates corrosion of the aluminum rims. Both our 1995 and 1997
Outbacks have had this same problem. I eventually took them to a local
repair shop I trusted, and they did apply some sort of sealer, and the

My last shop has a soft tar like substance for problem beads- no harm in
trying and no damage to rim or tire (Firestone it was called beadsealer)


--
Stephen W. Hansen
ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
ASE Automobile Advanced Engine Performance
ASE Undercar Specialist

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshooting/l/bl_obd_main.htm
http://www.troublecodes.net/technical/
http://www.familycar.com/Alignment.htm

 

[Uncle Ben]

When I lived in IL. I discovered that the salt-water would get between
the tire & rim because the tires were low on air. I then checked and
set my tires cold in the coldest weather and never a problem. Tires
loose about 1 psig for every 10 F. so if you set them on a 50 degree
day and the temp drops to zero, then your running 5psi low and when
you drive and the tire flexes, the salt gets in.

Since I can lose 20 psi in the summertime, I think I have a different
problem.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Since I can lose 20 psi in the summertime, I think I have a different
problem.

Not if the corrosion has already taken place.

I dunno

Carl