Repairing RunFlats - it can be done (at times)

[hotdog3147]

Just to let you know, if you ever get a nail in your tyre (run flat) then it is possible to have it repaired in certain circumstances.
I was always of the opinion that you couldn't until today.

I discovered a nail in my rear offside tyre a few days ago, stuck in good, in between the tread. It was not losing any air at all, tyres stayed at 36psi for 3 days and the runflat indicator in the car didn't come on naturally. I done a bit of ringing round and found a place that repairs runflats only in such circumstances, plus it depends on the tyre make.
Circumstances being that, the indicator hasn't come on and the nail or object is still in the tyre and that it isn't a Pirelli or Continental tyre, as both manufacturers won't guarantee the tyre if it has been repaired.
Luckliy I have Goodyears fitted and it was plugged, balanced and new valued in under 20 mins for £15. Much better than a brand new tyre, considering this one is almost as new 2,000 miles if that.

 

[ksher]

It was cheap. Will BMW dealers repair RFT?

 

[561design]

Any tired can be patched unless the damage is in the sidewall.

 

[gannet]

isnt the issue with run flats though that is it has been run while flat and nail is in the middle (ie 'repairable') the sidewalls have supported the cars weight for xx miles and can therefore be damaged and break down...

 

[pvr]

Maybe the not losing air at all contributed to the repairable status?

 

[gannet]

Maybe the not losing air at all contributed to the repairable status?

almost certainly

 

[561design]

isnt the issue with run flats though that is it has been run while flat and nail is in the middle (ie 'repairable') the sidewalls have supported the cars weight for xx miles and can therefore be damaged and break down...

Correct but that also depends on the distances driven while flat.

 

[gannet]

isnt the issue with run flats though that is it has been run while flat and nail is in the middle (ie 'repairable') the sidewalls have supported the cars weight for xx miles and can therefore be damaged and break down...

Correct but that also depends on the distances driven while flat.

how do you tell how far that is? especially if it is a slow puncture...

personally my life is too valuable to find out.

 

[BillR]

I picked up a nail in one of my rear runflats. The TPMS warned me when the tire pressure had dropped only a couple of PSI. Since the tires were due for replacement the next spring, I just pulled out the nail and pushed in a temporary plug from the local auto store. I kept the speed under 130 km/h with that plug in place, but I had faith that the TPMS system would warn me if the plug ever came out. I drove another 8000 K with that plug in until I bought new tires.

The new ones are non-runflat and I love them! I carry a plug kit and a 12v compressor in case I ever find another nail.

Bill

 

[GAZA62]

isnt the issue with run flats though that is it has been run while flat and nail is in the middle (ie 'repairable') the sidewalls have supported the cars weight for xx miles and can therefore be damaged and break down...

Correct but that also depends on the distances driven while flat.

how do you tell how far that is? especially if it is a slow puncture...

personally my life is too valuable to find out.

Agree my life is worth more than the price of a tyre i nearly lost it once don't intend trying it again.

 

[561design]

isnt the issue with run flats though that is it has been run while flat and nail is in the middle (ie 'repairable') the sidewalls have supported the cars weight for xx miles and can therefore be damaged and break down...

Correct but that also depends on the distances driven while flat.

how do you tell how far that is? especially if it is a slow puncture...

personally my life is too valuable to find out.

The sidewall doesn't start to degrade until the tire is mostly flat. Typically this is when the tire sensor kicks in. I've patched many various tires in the past and I've never had a problem with blow-outs, etc. I've never experienced a tire that has evacuated air so fast from the tire that I've lost control of my vehicle. So I imagine based on your driving style will determine how safe patching a tire is for you.

 

[tdz840]

Hi
I had a slow puncture with the TPMS coming on every couple of days. Topped the tyre up then a couple of days later it would come on again. After a couple of these ( ) I checked the tyre and sure enough a screw. Removing said item leak was bad.
However I have been given a product developed for special forces. The idea is they cannot carry a spare due to the front mounted MG and therefore need something that can seal a hole up to 1/2" ( )
This product (http://www.airseal.com/) was developed and so I rang the manufacturers up told them of the RFT and they said OK to use.
It costs around £10-20 for 4 tyres but that is in for the life of the tyres. As it will prevent ANY lose of air it obviously has some cost savings over the life of the tyre.
Anyway took the valve out (comes with all the tools for a tenner!) and then put the stuff into all four tyres.
Tyre has been as good as gold for over 1000K and hasnt dropped as much as 1psi.
Im planning on getting more and putting in my other cars.
When I go to non RFTs this would be a great lifesaver
Russ

 

[tdz840]

Oh and when you change the tyre it is water soluble so just a wash out!
HTH
Russ

 

[sammyz]

That looks a good product Russ.

It seems the reason they dont repair runflats is simply because once the wheel has run on the sidewall it compromises the strength of the tyre. manufacturers can't be certain how far it's been driven flat and so insist they shouldn't be repaired. However, if you can get the wheel repaired before it looses significant pressure (like hotdog) then it will be fine.

 

[tdz840]

That looks a good product Russ.

Its a cracking product and one I plan to put in all my tyre in the future irrespective wether I carry a spare or not
I know that the Military results went very well which is why it is fitted to all MoD pneumatic tyres as standard
Russ

 

[AlanJ]

Not sure about this stuff. Do you put it in before or after you balance the wheel. Surely antyhing moving about inside the wheel will make dynamic balancing extremely difficult. Have watched the advertising video and the holes they use to demonstrate is capability are pretty large. Personally if I had a tyre damaged with such a large hole then I would replace both for peace of mind and safety. I'm sure in a miltary environmet it has its uses but not so sure about its application in a civil environment where tyre use is totally different.

 

[tdz840]

Not sure about this stuff. Do you put it in before or after you balance the wheel. Surely antyhing moving about inside the wheel will make dynamic balancing extremely difficult. Have watched the advertising video and the holes they use to demonstrate is capability are pretty large. Personally if I had a tyre damaged with such a large hole then I would replace both for peace of mind and safety. I'm sure in a miltary environmet it has its uses but not so sure about its application in a civil environment where tyre use is totally different.

Havent experienced any undesirable characteristics with the car since applying this. Sealed my leak, air on all 4 tyres doesnt drop so Im happy.
I wouldnt advocate running with a 13mm hole thats plugged with the stuff; even if the military do! Im sure they use it to get away from the badguys and then change when its safe to do so.
At a tenner cheap insurance for those with runflats, afterall there seems some suggestion once you have run on the side wall the tyre is scrap. This at least saves you the cost of the tyre
Russ

 

[outrun]

Lovin' that stuff. I want some. Cheers Russ.