Tire Pressure

R

rfitzpatrick

Well-known member
Why must I reservice my tires, at least, once every two weeks (daily driver).
Even after I get new tires/tubes, this still happens.
Doesn't happen with my 'modern' car.
Now when I take it out, I check tire pressure and engine oil/water prior.

Uses more air than gas??
 
There was a batch of inner tubes some time back that were found to be porous. The air would just seep right through the rubber. You might have gotten ahold of some of those.
 
Check the Schrader valve for leaks ( the valve under the cap ) also the cap may leak air . If nothing is leaking you could try nitrogen filling the tires , pricy but the nitrogen has larger molecules than air . We have had nitrogen filled tires in our modern car and they have the same pressure as last year , checked by the onboard monitor .
 
What tires do you have? American Classic Radials had small stickers inside that slowly cut/rub the tubes and cause them the go flat. I had to replace 5 brand new tubes after I found the problem. 2 flats and the other three were damaged. As an old motorcycle rider, I do not trust patches.

I certainly hope Coker has fixed that issue since...
 
Mine does the same thing with redone metal valve stems and tubes. Modern tires= same situation losing about 1 + # per 2 weeks, or so. The internal Schrader valves can be faulty and don't always seal well. See post 3 above.
 
You could try the Slime sealer. It is meant for tubeless tires but would seal tubes. The car must be driven a few miles to distribute the sealer. I am not sure the balance beads and Slime are compatible. Try one tire first.

The internet says it works in tubes and will stop slow leaks.

Be aware that changes in ambient temperature can effect tire pressure. In winter my modern truck tells me that my tire pressure is low. If I fill the tires up for winter driving I have to remove some air in the spring.
 
Last edited:
Big Hammer
My tires are Firestones, I checked all of the valve stems and tighten what could be.
I'll see how that goes -- all my valve caps are new
Thanks
 
The Slime and balance beads would not be a good idea, as Blockhead said. However, here is an idea: Put balance beads and a glue that hardens at a higher temperature than ambient in the tube. Then go for a drive on a hot highway at 55 mph. Presto, permanently balanced tires at all speeds. PS: Not a serious idea, maybe.
 
rfitzpatrick said:
Big Hammer
My tires are Firestones, I checked all of the valve stems and tighten what could be.
I'll see how that goes -- all my valve caps are new
Thanks
Click to expand...

Went out and removed the green caps ( designates nitrogen) and inside the caps are tiny red o-rings , the caps are metal caps , wondering if o-rings would help seal your caps ?! BTY a/c service port caps have o-rings and replacing the o-rings was a cheap fix of leaking freon .
 
Air is 80% nitrogen, so how much benefit pure nitrogen is could be studied.

Some metal valve stem caps have rubber gaskets inside and may be required by some racing organizations.
 
Big Hammer
OK, so now I've got a set of caps off the tires from the aircraft, I was an Airline Mechanic. The caps are brass and are disguarded any time a tire is replaced. They have a seal, of course. Also, they're free?
I'll work with this and see how it goes.
Thanks
 
Take the cap off. Spit on your finger and wipe off where the cap goes. If it bubbles up there is your leak. No bubbles no leaking valve core.
As a teen working in a filling station we always did this when repairing leaking tires and tubes.
 
Clearly you have leaks. Pull the tries off the rims and remount with new valves, sleeves, and tubes! Check the insides of each tire for intrusions that could be causing small punctures. Inflate to between 32 and 35 psi. Take your time and do it right and you will not need to redo it.



I check my pressure on all four every time I take my A out. Over the past year I have not needed to top them off even once!
 
I had modified a new set of tubes to install Schraeder valve stems. They slowly leaked. I found that tightening the valve stem nut increased the clamping pressure somewhat which slowed the leaks. In time I became disgusted with the leaks, so I installed a set of tubes from Snyder's that have the Schraeder valve stems vulcanized into them. No more leaks!
It appears these tubes with integral Schraeder stems are not made any more. Perhaps there is someone in our hobby who can vulcanize stems into new tubes?
I also pondered using beads to balance my wheels, but 2 concerns convinced me not to use beads. 1st, the beads abrade material from the inside of the tubes. 2nd, in my opinion the beads can wreak havoc with the Schraeder valves causing them to leak.
 
If you want to try nitrogen for free, the inflators outside the Costco tire centers dispense it. You do not need to be a member. Just be aware they will not inflate a completely flat tire. There is some minimum pressure required, maybe 15 psi.
I asked why and the person said they said if a tire is that low they want to have a look at it. I guess it’s good business, and limits their liability.
They’ll also give you green valve caps just for asking.
 
The last time I had a slow leaker on a tube type motorcycle wire wheel, it was used till the tire was worn down which is only a few years the way my wife rides. i broke it down and found that the tube was leaking around the joint where the valve stem meets the tube. What made it hold air longer was the pressure held the stem tight against the inside of the rim. It leaked a lot faster after I took out the tube and tested it. Installed a different brand of tube at the tire installation and the problem went way. Sometimes it's the Schrader valve but that's an easy fix. As lot as it holds well enough to last a week or two, it was livable but just a pita.

If a person uses the OEM type Schrader stems then a person can use a bit of rubber cement to seal the stem prior to tightening it up. They hold air pretty well. I save my nitrogen for landing gear dampers and air shocks. A tire should hold air for better than a month or something isn't right with it. It all depends on how much a person is willing to put up with as to whether to take the time to solve the problem. Modern tubes for 19 and 21 inch tires ain't what they used to be, of for any other tube for that matter.

I had to use the green goo in my front tractor tires while mowing mesquite. I chucked the tubes and go tubeless with them. Using that stuff in tubes just never worked out for me.
 
Last edited:
I know a couple of guys who were sick and tired of hassles with tubes so they paid the extra and bought Michelin tubes. They are "spendy" but they can now be confident that the tyre won't go flat miles from nowhere.
You guys won't like to hear this but I bought some American made Custom Classic tubes recently. By comparison with the Michelin ones, they are rubbish. I won't make that mistake again.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top