How to find a really, really, really slow air leak?

**noego** · 08-31-2011, 10:52 PM

Originally Posted by Brad B.

Shhhhhhhhhh! DON`T SAY THAT! I don`t even want to think about it. (But I will.)

ok. mum`s the word - good luck!

**JohnZ3MC** · 09-01-2011, 12:32 AM

Nobody`s mentioned it yet but have you tried overpressurizing the tire and submerging it?

I`m not talking about blowing it up to the size of the Goodyear blimp, but increasing the psi quite a bit. Then submerging.

The extra pressure just might show you the problem area when underwater or when soaped up.

**Brad B** · 09-01-2011, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by JohnZ3MC

Nobody`s mentioned it yet but have you tried overpressurizing the tire and submerging it?

I`m not talking about blowing it up to the size of the Goodyear blimp, but increasing the psi quite a bit. Then submerging.

The extra pressure just might show you the problem area when underwater or when soaped up.

Yes, I did just that but nothing was obvious. So I took it to the next step. See my next post.

**Brad B** · 09-01-2011, 02:41 PM

Found the leak! Or should I say leaks. I focused solely on the rim edges today and pumped the tire up to 50lbs. I then squeezed it pure dish soap into the rim edges. It was pretty deep, actually, and sucked up a lot of soap. It took about 3-5 minutes and then patterns of the tiniest bubbles began to appear in 3 different areas of the back side of the rim. After a while it built up and became obvious. VICTORY!

Well, not victory, but at least I know whats going on. Now I have to convince the wheel place that it was their fault it`s leaking. Otherwise this will be another $25 bill.

Wish me luck.

**Nth Degree** · 09-01-2011, 02:56 PM

Glad you found it. Not that it is necessarily their fault, but I find it hard to believe they wouldn`t take care of that for you as long as you are polite about it. It is clearly a seating problem with the installation (happens to every shop once in a while) caused by some contaminant caught in between or a defect in the rubber itself. Just let them know you simply want it properly seated.

**RaskyR1** · 09-01-2011, 03:04 PM

Good to see the soap trick worked Brad! Hope they get it taken care of for you.

**TLMitchell** · 09-01-2011, 08:52 PM

I`ve seen this on cast motorcycle rims when rubber residue wasn`t sufficiently cleaned from the rim prior to mounting new rubber. Same place did it to me twice... they merely roughed it up with Scotchbrite. The thorough places use a wool pad or polishing wheel to completely remove any trace of rubber residue to insure a reliable bead seal.

Hopefully your installer is inclined to make things right.

TL

**wascallyrabbit** · 09-02-2011, 12:47 PM

i`ve had the same problem after replacing tires. same deal as tlmitchell.

**Brad B** · 09-04-2011, 01:04 PM

Well, the repair place dismounted the tire, cleaned up the rim and added extra gluey stuff back in. Whatever it is they use. Seems to be holding so far. They were just "pained with guilt` and only charged me $15. Creeps.

On the ground again.

Ya dig my new valve caps? Aluminum. Nifty.

**Bill D** · 09-04-2011, 01:19 PM

Brad, glad your problem has finally been solved. Even though you had to go back and pay another fee, it`s still good you have a place that is Autopian-acceptable in terms of being careful enough with your wheels regarding marring or scratching.

I`m a fan of logoed valve stem caps. So cool! I`ve even given them as gifts and "stocking stuffers".