Tire sealant?

I went to NTB yesterday because I had a nail in my rear right tire. I told him it was kinda funny because I've had to fill up my front left tire a few times in the last month but the one with a nail in it is just fine.

So he asks me to come outside and shows me that I have a very very small leak in the side of the tire. It's clear nothing has happened to that area (tire looks fine) but when he put soapy water on there I could see the bubbles. He said that since it's on the sidewall he can't patch it and they don't carry those tires (Goodyear Duratrac) so he couldn't even sell me one if I wanted it.


Questions....Can I do some sort of slime or tire sealant? Does that exist for vehicles like mountain bike tires use? I bought these tires in August from a local 4Wheel Parts; is it worth me even contacting them?

 

Anyone ever use this Fix-A-Flat stuff?
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Pennzoil-12-oz-Fix-A-Flat-tire-inflator-and-sealant-with-cone-top-for-compact-cars/_/N-25zg;jsessionid=4A3FF771F89E8A27896E8833650DC5FC.diyprod5-b2c15?itemIdentifier=501221_0_0_

 

Definitely contact 4WP. You could try a can of fix-a-flat but I would go talk to 4WP first.

 

x2. I've used Slime in all my dirtbike and ATV tires (it's green crap with rubber beads in it). I've had nails, wood chips, screws, etc stuck in my tires and it always sealed up. It does suck when you have to change out the tire though. That crap gets everywhere so the next guy to change your tires will not like you.

 

I guess I can contact 4WP and see what they have to say. If they don't offer any help then I might try a sealant. Is slime the preferred choice? I use it in my bike tires but wasn't sure if that carried over for vehicles. Never knew it had rubber beads in it.

 

If you have tire sensors dont use the junk in a can, not good for the sensors. Wolfpack is right about the side wall.

 

Hadn't thought about the sensors... that slime crap would probably ruin them. How far down the sidewall is the puncture? Plugs and patches in the sidewall aren't the best idea although I've done both and never had it fail (maybe not the best idea but it worked). You have to really keep an eye on the area, you don't want a blow out. The tire shops won't touch it because of liability reasons for good reason. It doesn't necessarily mean the tire should be junked, but it needs to be watched very carefull for the rest of it's life.

 

How high up on the sidewall is it? Those tire sealants work by spreading around the goop via centrifugal force as you drive. That force is going to concentrate the sealant on the tread patch area, not the sidewall.

 

That time your truck took a bath under the water the other day, I bet a little snake bit your tire

 

Jeez man, that's just rubbing salt in the wound!

 

Hole in the side wall=done tire. A patch will last less than a month. You should go to where you bought them for a warranty. Last set of tires I had a life time warranty. They replaced a side wall puncture no charge.

Some places will not even change a tire that have sealant in them.

 

Here's a picture of the affected area. It's very very close to the tread. It's actually within the armored triangle deal. The white stuff is where I had him chalk the spot so I wouldn't lose it.

 

Move your finger, I can't see, dangit.

 

Or contact Goodyear.

 

First off, I'd move it to the rear of the truck. Regardless of what you decide, I wouldn't put that tire back on the front. Safest bet would be to replace the tire. Sealants and/or plugs could work and you may never have an issue with the tire for as long as you own it. The problem is, with sidewall punctures, you never know.

Maybe plug it and make it a full size spare?

 

if the hole is a pin prick throw a patch on the inside. You'll have to find a shop that will do it but some still will. They just won't warranty it for on road use. or do it yourself

then stick a bead of rtv on the outside or if it's big enough plug then patch and then rtv over the outside

 

It's a pin prick for sure. Takes something like a week and a half for my TPS to come on because of it. Like I said, there doesn't appear to be any scuffing in the area and it doesn't look damaged at all.

 

Personally if it were my tire I'd find someone who would patch it. I'd just keep an eye on it afterwords.

 

Put a plug from the outside and forget about it, I've done it for years countless times and no problems so far.

I carry a plug kit and compressor on my truck and saves a ton of time when I get a flat, my spare only comes out when the failure is catastrofic and will not hold air with the plugs.