Nail/Screw in tire

C

Chillmike

Member
 Huntsville Alabama
So I took my Z in to the dealer last Thursday because the tire pressure light came on. Service was really friendly checked out the tires and put some air in them. Two things were helping to set the light off. One was the fact that the original owner had placed metal tips on the valve stem and the right front tire was actually a bit lower than it should have been and the service guy told me to keep an eye on it.

So no problem Thursday Friday or during the day on Saturday. Driving home from my friends place I notice the light came on again. So today I went over to the autoparts store and picked up a digital reader. Let the tires get "cold" for a few hours, I just went and checked all 4. The backs were fine right at 38psi (as they should be per the sticker on the car). Left front was a little bit low at 32 (recommended 33psi) not a big deal, then go to check the right front tire and it's at 26psi :( I start inspecting the tire and notice that there is a nail/screw all the way in. UGH.

So I'm wondering if this guy could have possibly missed it last week when he was looking at it somehow. Of course it's Sunday and they aren't open. Don't plan on going anywhere tonight thankfully but I've got work tomorrow. So I figured I'd ask here are the run flats fixable with a nail hole? I'm guessing it's not going to be covered under warranty (have a year left on original factory). Last question, is it wise/stupid to try and put a bit of air in the tire so that it's not so low when I drive it to the dealership tomorrow?

I hope this isn't a sign of things to come, only had it a week and already it looks like my pocketbook is going to take a big hit. :(
 
If the hole is in the middle of the tread you might find someone who will plug it, but you'd need to be certain that the tyre hadn't been driven "flat". TBH best to get another one.
 
Chillmike, some of the early RF's were actually marked with the words on the side wall "Do Not Repair." I had a 2003 Z4 and had a national tire dealer refuse to do the repair of a small nail hole in center tread when they saw that warning. In the end I did the repair myself using a mushroom plug. You can likely find someone that will do a proper repair if the damage is small and not near the sidewall. Keep in mind if the tire is repaired it looses its speed rating. Also, as Wondermike pointed out if the tire has been driven without air then it should be replaced. I would suggest into looking into replace all of the RF's at some point with a set of non-runflats. The difference is amazing.
 
I've had a runflat repaired but it was an almost new Michelin PS2 ZP and the repair was done off wheel so the inside of the tire could be inspected. Add air-if the leak is slow it will keep the tire from being truly flat and running on the sidewalls. I'd also keep an eye on it after repair to make sure it will hold.

If the tread is low, though, I'd repair it and get started researching a new set soon. The other fellas will tell you to dump the runflats, some of us have kept the runflats but we've changed brands. There IS a difference.
 
Yeah just got off the phone with the dealership. They aren't able to repair it unfortunately. I'm more curious about the sensor not going off this time. The more and more I thought about it the more I think that the nail might have been in the tire prior to me purchasing the vehicle.

My buddy told me to ask to see a readout of the computer to see when the last time the tire pressure light went on to see if it might have gone off a few days before purchasing....have any of you guys/gals seen a printout like that before, or is it even possible?
 
Chillmike said:
Yeah just got off the phone with the dealership. They aren't able to repair it unfortunately. I'm more curious about the sensor not going off this time. The more and more I thought about it the more I think that the nail might have been in the tire prior to me purchasing the vehicle.

My buddy told me to ask to see a readout of the computer to see when the last time the tire pressure light went on to see if it might have gone off a few days before purchasing....have any of you guys/gals seen a printout like that before, or is it even possible?
Click to expand...

Best ask your friendly BMW Service Manager about a history print out :) the key seams to be magic when he sticks it into his computer interface, tells him all about your car etc.

As for the repair, as others said it all depends on the location, age of the tire etc. I understand BMW does not recommend repair, then at the Birdgestone site I think it all depends on the location and nail size. Have a peek here.... Bridgestone FAQ

http://www.bridgestone.com.au/tyres/technologies/rft/faq.aspx

Good Luck

Cheers,

Rolf-Dieter
 
If your interested, you can get the interface from amazon. It's called the ELM327, would paste in a link but I'm on my iPhone.

I have used the product and can vouch for it. However, the software is poor an you'll need to download a different one.
 
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