Ever used a fix a flat product?
- Thread starter ZZman
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Only for emergencies or a strange leak. We had an issue with 255/30/19 runflats on an 335is that was leaking from the ribs along the bead. I guess it was that tight, Pirelli wouldn't do anything about it, a small amount of slime fixed it, but he ended up going with non run flats a few months later anyway. All my E46 M3 has in terms of a spare is BMWs equivalent to slime and a small air compressor.
Nope. I have used rope/string type plugs in the past though.
The nearly 50yr old tires on my sit down mower are loaded with it. Cars rely upon a compact spare?
Only once when I was a kid in a bicycle tire.
I believe it dissolved the tube.
I believe it dissolved the tube.
NOPE
Kestas
Staff member
Never. I always diagnose the leak and fixed the problem. Since I keep my cars a long time and live in the rust belt, the problem is usually corrosion at bead mounting surface. Shrapnel gets dealt with as needed.
I had a can of that stuff in the garage for a while. It started leaking and the bottom seam and causing an awful stink. I won't ever buy another can.
Yes and it actually worked on a slow leak I couldn't otherwise find.
Preferred method now is to break down the bead and apply that bead sealer goop. If that fails, dismount and sand down the rim's bead seating surface. This is the typical source of mystery leaks for me.
Rope plugs work well for me too.
Preferred method now is to break down the bead and apply that bead sealer goop. If that fails, dismount and sand down the rim's bead seating surface. This is the typical source of mystery leaks for me.
Rope plugs work well for me too.
Whipcitywrencher
Site Donor 2025
Yup and it works.
Yes I have used it several times over the years. Three or four times for slow leaks that I could not find. On my wheelbarrow and snow blower. Also on a hand truck. A lady in a parking lot had a half flat on her Lexus. I inflated it with a can and she was able to get home. On the road it really is for emergency uses only. Fill the tire and make a bee line for a shop. Would never trust it long term.
Pro tip you'll get more in if you start with a completely flat tire. Hooking the can up to a tire with 20 PSI in it leads to a mess.
I like to jack the corner so the tire doesn't pinch itself, let the air out, put the fix-a-flat in, pump it up to 45-50 PSI, and then go for a run to slosh it around. I feel the somewhat higher pressure will force the goop into whatever crevice it needs to be in. Then I let 'er back down the next day.
I like to jack the corner so the tire doesn't pinch itself, let the air out, put the fix-a-flat in, pump it up to 45-50 PSI, and then go for a run to slosh it around. I feel the somewhat higher pressure will force the goop into whatever crevice it needs to be in. Then I let 'er back down the next day.
I carry one instead of a spare in the Miata, but have never used it. The other vehicles don't benefit from losing 50 lbs like that car does, so they carry full-sized spares.
I have plugged tires in the field, I carry a compressed air tank (10 gal @ 125psi) which will fill almost any truck tire and two passenger car tires. Once we (not my car) plugged a tire with toothpicks and melted plastic jig worms (fishing tackle).
Wasn't my truck, but I watched it in action, and we drove another 300 km (200 miles) on mountain roads at 110 kmH (70 mph) without issue. He later put a patch over the hole from the inside, but there was no indication our makeshift repair was in imminent failure.
I have plugged tires in the field, I carry a compressed air tank (10 gal @ 125psi) which will fill almost any truck tire and two passenger car tires. Once we (not my car) plugged a tire with toothpicks and melted plastic jig worms (fishing tackle).
Wasn't my truck, but I watched it in action, and we drove another 300 km (200 miles) on mountain roads at 110 kmH (70 mph) without issue. He later put a patch over the hole from the inside, but there was no indication our makeshift repair was in imminent failure.
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