I just replaced all four tires with brand new ones, and have had 4 valve stems go bad (two in the same tire) in less than 2 months of use. The technician @ Discount Tire says it's because there's Fix-A-Flat on the rims (I had used it on my last set, because I was trying to get more use out of them before swapping them out).
I guess I'm just perplexed how the Fix-A-Flat is causing the valve stems to go bad.
Also wondering why they didn't remove the Fix-A-Flat before putting on the new tires.
Isn't it a polymer than becomes more like a solid after it's put into the tire?
Any suggestions, thoughts, help in understanding, etc. would be MOSTappreciated!
2006-10-23 07:04:37 · 8 answers · asked by brad 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
http://www.fixaflat.com/fix_a_flat.htm
If you scroll to the bottom on above post you will see a contact us link.
http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000721.php
If you read you will see it says"leaking air instantly polymerizes it" this would indicate to me that valve cores are leaking and giving same effect
2006-10-23 07:21:52 · answer #1 · answered by tronary 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fix a flat is probably not the problem, but to be sure check with their technical people. When this material is added to the tire the centrifugal force of the tire rotation moves it to the tire and away from the rim. Check your bill; were you charged for new valve stems? If not ,then they used your old ones when they are supposed to put in new ones. If they used your old ones this is more than likely the problem. And again use fix-a-flat as a temporary repair for a flat and nothing more. What was your logic? Using old tires beyond their useful life is dangerous, so for your own safety as well as others do not exceed the recommended safety limit for tire wear.
2006-10-23 07:29:17 · answer #2 · answered by gary o 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
And I'm wondering why you would use fix-a-flat to get more use out of tires. It is for fixing leaks, and leaks only, pretty much for an emergency situation.
If it did harden around the edges of the old valve stems and left ridges so the new ones don't seal well, it's not up to them to remove all that crap, unless you pay them extra.
They probably should have mentioned this to you before they put the tires on.
2006-10-23 07:10:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've used fix a flat a million times! When there is a bad valve stem-99% of the time that's exactly what it is and nothing to do with fix a flat! Unscrew the valve stem's center valve. You will probably find a cheap nylon seal on it instead of a quality rubber seal.
2006-10-23 07:11:19 · answer #4 · answered by gittit 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think he was supposed to replace the stems when he put on the new tires but did not (B J Wholesale Club always replaces them). Now he is trying to cover up his mistake. I think the fix a flat is not related at all.
2006-10-23 07:07:58 · answer #5 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fix a flat is total garbage, your wheels will never be the same and with that goop which is almost impossible to remove. Your wheels will never be properly balanced.
That goop may have got stuck in the valves causing them to leak.
Keep a spare tire and get rid of the fix a flat.
2006-10-23 07:46:57 · answer #6 · answered by Dave 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
discount tire sucks, I've ran on a tire with more than one can of fix a flat in it & never wrecked the stems,
2006-10-23 07:13:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Honestly, I would have never used the stuff. But also wondering why they didn't remove the stuff when they had the chance. They might of been in a rush to make money or something. I would check about a warranty on the work performed too.
2006-10-23 07:09:01 · answer #8 · answered by brian m 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋