slime/ultraseal etc

[Jamieboy]

Got a puncture in a nearly new tyre, got it repaired but the repair leaks. The shop says you can't repair a repair.

Was thinking of trying a tyre sealant like slime or ultraseal.

Someone once told me some tyre fitters won't change your tyres if you've used this stuff - which seems a bit OTT. Anyone had that happen?

What a people's opinion generally? Any preference on brand?

Thank.

 

[JoeC]

I have used these products in the past with no issues. The only issue is that they can hide a puncture that you are not aware of. Fitters don't like to work with them as they are messy, especially if you don't tell them that the stuff is in it before they work on the tyre! They also don't like repairing punctures with this stuff in it as they have to wash all the stuff out before they can work on it.

 

[JJH]

Got a puncture in a nearly new tyre, got it repaired but the repair leaks. The shop says you can't repair a repair.

Was thinking of trying a tyre sealant like slime or ultraseal.

Someone once told me some tyre fitters won't change your tyres if you've used this stuff - which seems a bit OTT. Anyone had that happen?

What a people's opinion generally? Any preference on brand?

Thank.

You don't know why the repair leaked. I'd take odd the tyre and see what's what. What type of repair was it. Don't use till you have answers. If it was plugged I don't see why a patch on the inside would not work depending on damage and position. JJH

 

[Jamieboy]

Thanks. Don't have the facility or ability to remove the tyre. The guy doing the repair said it was a patch on the inside with a rubber plug-type bit sticking through the hole. He said it was close to being too far to the side of the tyre but thought it would be ok. I guess there's a tiny bit of air getting under that patch and out of the hole. I thought a small leak like this is the sort of thing these sealants would deal with.

Any reasons not to give it a go?

 

[notadrop]

Nothing ventured nothing gained, as they say! I used them before and they have worked for me on a small puncture, so should work on this. Let us know.

 

[JJH]

Deifinatly not. There is no reason for a properly applied patch to leak. If there is somthing still in the hole a bit of glass mabey or another puncture. It deffenitly needs to be looked at. Putting in sealant is a recepy for disaster till you know what's what. JJH

 

[Jamieboy]

what would be the disaster? I'm not meaning to challenge what you say, I just don't know myself so can't see what this would be.

Thanks.

 

[JJH]

As you say you say you don't know. Neither do I. JJH

 

[Neil W]

a proper mushroom type plug which seems to be what you are talking about will never leak unless it hasn't been applied correctly (ie the inside of the tyre wall sanded back and then the correct vulcanising adhesive used ) or if the patch is applied too close to the sidewall in a zone of repair that is subject to a large amount of flex in which case scrap the tyre .

 

[JJH]

As you say you say you don't know. Neither do I. JJH

Sorry I was a bit short with you. It's impossible for anyone to guess without seeing and running my fingers over the repair to see and feel what the problem is. If it was on a car I'd reluctantly say take a chance. If it leaks it leaks. On a bike it's just too danderious. Mabey the repair should not of been attempted or was done badly. The guy was probley just doing his best. I mended many punctures in my time on cars and vans. Only reluctantly would a tyre be written off. One option MIGHT be to insert a tube and get the best out of the tyre. Just be careful if it's some of the carcas breaking walk away and get a new tyre. If in doubt throw it out. JJH

 

[Mongolian Explorer]

Could the leak come from corrosion on the rim ?? and therefore a bad seal between tyre and rim

 

[Jamieboy]

Thanks guys, maybe i'll just bite the bullet and get a new tyre - don't want to take any risks. It's definitely the plug which is leaking - thinking about it it is probably quite far to the side so maybe too much flex. Oh well.

 

[Jamieboy]

The rate of the leak is about 10 psi a week. Don't know if that has any bearing on the suitability.

 

[Neil W]

As said the correct tyre repair plugs are designed to be applied on the flat inner surface of car tyres tread area and slightly curved areas of motorcycle tread area, once you get too close to the side wall the tyre is too curved and flexes too much for the inner part of the mushroom to effect a permanent and lasting repair

 

[Dusty]

I personnaly use goop... i have it in both my bikes and my landrover. Its great but as said you need to let the tyre changer know before you get them to change it. I would say its more of a preventitive measure... but if the damage is towards the edge of the tyre then it might not work as well. The goop works with the pressure of the tyre as soon as the tyre is breeched the goop is force out of the air gap and effectively clotts for want of a better term, sealing the hole. You get an indication when youve had a puncture... by it euther squirting out momentarily or residue in your wheel arch.

As said before if the repair isnt working well enough i wouldnt use it to fill the seal just in case it causes you a problem whilst riding.

 

[Jamieboy]

Thanks all. Sourced a replacement rear for 66 quid (demon tweeks) which seems a bargain. Anakee 2.