Tires that leak down, what would you do?

[jaybee]

Dad's pickup is having an issue with 2 tires that leak down slowly over several weeks on aftermarket aluminum wheels. Airing it up regularly is a bit problematic as he's not driving anymore and it's only getting driven occasionally. Putting the tires on the stock alloys isn't an option because the wheels are upsized. I don't see buying new tires for the stock alloys being an option in Dad's mind because the ones that are on it are in great shape with lots of life left, and he's the guy who would hone a wheel cylinder because the rebuild kit is $4 cheaper than a reman cylinder. The tires are sound, no punctures or plugs to leak. A loose core in the valve stems is still a possibility, but that eliminates pretty much everything else besides wheel porosity or corrosion on the seating area. The wheels are beautifully kept, so I don't really suspect the latter thing. I can't really do anything except advise from a distance, because I'm 1200 miles away and my brother is pretty limited in his mechanical ability.

What would you advise from a distance under the circumstances? I can tell them to unmount the tires and have the rims checked. They may or may not do it. Would you suggest adding sealant?

[GPster]

I would put tubes in them. GPster

[kb426]

If they're 6 years old, I would replace them and the stems. I have had some slow leaks and was unable to repair so replacement was the answer. Eventually, you may have to decide if you want the vehicle to be drivable. ?? If there is such a thing as a real tire shop and they have the water tank to submerge them, you might see where they are leaking at. I understand about the long distance but I'm short on ideas.

[tomslik]

i had a tire (new along with the wheel) with a slow leak, took it to a different tire shop and they used some sort of sealer on the bead and hasn't been a problem since.
maybe try that?

[idrivejunk]

Send him out there with a trigger spray bottle of soapy water. He may find the leaks. If not, he will at least be in action mode and taking the first step.

Beyond that, see a tire shop. If they are old, replace. Check state law.

Any tire shop uses bead sealer on everything. How much on a given day may depend on how much is in the jug, but it might also get heavily slathered just in lieu of cleaning funky wheel beads. If tire guy says the dates are ok,   breaking beads and cleaning, replacing valve stems then liberal application of bead sealer and the mess to be cleaned up on tire and wheel... is the next step.

Probably cost a durn near a hun to get fresh sealer and stems. But won't cost a thing to ask how old the existing tires are.

A local tire shop fixed flats for free all summer after the tornado.

My Dad had this scenario on his riding mower. Yep, we put tubes in all four. Having to mow is bad enough. Having to air up tires first sucks.

Just bending down sucks.

[jaybee]

Thanks for the feedback and ideas. Honestly I feel a little helpless this far away. When I was out there in the Summer I learned it had a brake issue. Dad thought it was a rusted out front brake line and I really struggled with wanting to take it apart and fix it, but by the time they told me it was late enough in my trip I couldn't take it apart and be confident of getting it put back together. He was talking about driving it...without front brakes...to the shop. Got it towed there instead and it turned out to be bad wheel cylinders in the rear drums.

I did manage to help my brother with some plumbing on that trip. Installed a new particulate filter and water softener, replaced some problematic piping with PEX, and got his well and home bleached and clean. That was back in July, and he says the water continues to be clear and good.

[34ford]

I had an alumium wheel that leaked down. did the soap spray bottle trick and found a pin home in the casting. Had the tire unmounted and put some jb weld on the inside of the rim where it was leaking and problem solved. Tire guy said that was a problem with that wheel sometimes.

[WZ JUNK]

One possible solution is to replace the air with nitrogen but I do not think this would be your answer since you are not there to do the job.  Nitrogen would only slow down the process anyway and not eliminate the leak.

Tire sealers like "slim" only work if you regularly drive the vehicle.  If it is not circulating within the tire, it will drain to the lowest point and no longer seal the leaky area.

You could try some "Fix a flat" aerosol and see if that helps. 

[Bruce Dorsi]

Would 78% Nitrogen be better than ordinary compressed air? 

When nitrogen filled tires were being promoted at a significant up-charge, I would ask the vendor if they pulled a vacuum on the tubeless tires before they filled them with nitrogen. 

[jaybee]

Hmm, looks like the solution is to air up before driving until such time as someone is driving it regularly enough to get annoyed and take the wheels to a tire shop.