Non T25. Deflating tyre

[themagician]

Please move this if I have posted in the wrong place!
As well as my T25 I have an Audi (not nearly as much fun to drive).

My front off side tyre has a slow leak... Pressure should be 35, but after a few days (maybe a day, I've not checked) ends up being 20.

Took to tyre fitter thinking slow puncture. Tyre had a bath, no leak. Chap said alloy is probably worn and stuck a load of black sticky stuff around the edge before going back on. You've guessed it - still leaking.

Currently I am pumping it up each day which is a right pain and not a long term fix.

So my question.... Do I get a new alloy (found on one may for £200, part number is 8P0601025R1H7), or could it be refurbished? Don't want to spend money on refurb for it to leak again.

Anyone else had the same issues? My car is a 2007 A3 with 124,000 miles on. The alloys look ok to the eye despite the curbing (which the previous owner did!)

[ghost123uk]

Quite a bit of good info on this HERE. Seems it's an easy / cheap thing to sort out.

[themagician]

Quite a bit of good info on this HERE. Seems it's an easy / cheap thing to sort out.

Great,mi will have a look thank you

[themagician]

Quite a bit of good info on this HERE. Seems it's an easy / cheap thing to sort out.

Just had a read... I have gone down the option of wire brushing and a sealant being put on. It didn't make any difference unfortunately. Think I will look at a refurb option, but not the whole wheel just the part which is in contact with the tyre and see where that leaves me. Thanks for the link. Heather

[jamesc76]

Did they seal the valve stem in too?

[themagician]

Hhmm, good point. I don't know. I had a tyre place do it then also my usual garage had a go at it whilst it was in for a service. You'd like to think so wouldn't you! I will pop down there and ask the question!

[what2do]

If the wheel us on the van, position the valve at the bottom and spray some diluted fairy liquid (other brands are available and all that...), if the valve is leaking you'll see bubbles. If not,

[what2do]

Is an inner tube not an option?

[themagician]

Oh I will do that. It's on my car but same diff. Thanks

[tforturton]

Is an inner tube not an option?

That's what I would have done....

[itchyfeet]

Surely a rim leak would also show up in the bath.

Could it be a leak only when the tyre is being deformed by the weight of the vehicle?

[themagician]

Is an inner tube not an option?

I don't know much about tyres hence my post on here but googling it seems you shouldn't put an inner tube in a tubeless tyre. They replaced the valve when the tyre came off to be checked for a leak. I'm going to put some washing up liquid around and see if I can see anything but I think it's quite a small/slow leak.

[themagician]

Surely a rim leak would also show up in the bath.

Yeah that's what I thought or else where on earth is it going?! Maybe because it's so slow/small it takes more time looking for it than your usual nail in tyre scenario. I don't know.

[itchyfeet]

Surely a rim leak would also show up in the bath.

Yeah that's what I thought or else where on earth is it going?! Maybe because it's so slow/small it takes more time looking for it than your usual nail in tyre scenario. I don't know.

I have had tyres before that only deflate if you park them in one position, i.e. where the nail is because when the nail has no pressure it is sealed, could be a rim leak also just only leaks when pressure on the area.

You could try washing up liquid solution in a spray bottle, foams where leak is, get somebody to drive it very slowly one wheel rotation while you spray, doing inside is harder but possible on full lock

[themagician]

I will do that (washing up liquid) on my day off tomorrow and see what happens! Thanks