What is the course of slow punctures in a car?

Question

My car seems to have a slow puncture in the front right wheel. I suspect that there's no air escaping through the tyre itself as I would have thought that such a puncture would be quicker.

So what's the most likely reason for the leak and what should I do about it?

Answer 1

Okay, here's a list.

1. Damaged or leaky valve. Have it replaced.

2. Damaged tyre. Split or punctured with a thin nail or spike. Any local tyre dealer will repair the puncture. Your tread may be good but the side walls may be cracked or worn. Does the car sit in the sun a lot?

3. Rusty or damaged rim (kerb mounting or violent cornering) can also cause bad sealing of the tyre to the rim. Rim will need to be repaired or replaced (scrapyard).

Answer 2

You could actually have something like a nail stuck in the tyre. Sometimes, as long as the nail or whatever is still there the escape of air is restricted, which is why, if you find something like that, they usually advise not removing it.

Could also be a leak around the valve, or even the wheel itself being slightly porous. Best way to check is to take the wheel off and dunk it in water to look for bubbles, which is what a tyre depot will do.

Answer 3

If you have had tubeless tyres fitted, there could be a small air leak around the rim of the tyre where it touches the wheel. Get down to your nearest tyre co and get it fixed. Otherwise you'll be endlessly pumping it up.

It will only get worse.

Try Kwik Fit if there's one near you. Saturdays are not a good day, usually long queue, wait until a morning weekday if poss when you are off work.

Answer 4

there can be so many causes, item in tyre,rust on rim area, rust at base of valve area, faulty valve core, porous tyre, damage to rim, kerb damage to sidewall,even wheel weights can cause air to leak from the rim,
the best remedy,if theres nothing obvious and the tyre still has plenty tread,is to fit a tube, they are not much more expensive than a puncture repair,

Answer 5

If there's nothing stuck in the tyre ie a nail. It could be leaking from the valve or where the tyre meets the rim.

Answer 6

it is most probably an air leak between the tyre and the wheel rim, this often happens and can be cured with a sealing solution from halfords.
the best solution realy is to have tyre removed and resealed.
in answer to your other query is that a punture can take sometimes days to go down.

Answer 7

Put some soapy water around the area where the wheel and tyre meet. Bubbles will form and indicate where the problem is. Try not to drive up on too many curbs.

Answer 8

take the wheel off the car - make a mixture of fairy liquid and water place it around the tyre wall where it meets the rim - check for bubbles - you could also have a loose valve

Answer 9

get it sorted lets face it the tyres are the bit that's contact the road not your shiny car blow outs can kill not only you but other road users who for no reason would be in your way families will be destroyed with grief children lose parents and all because you asked this question instead of seeking professional advice if you cant afford to get it repaired save up

Answer 10

i had that on my old rover. the tyre could be getting worn or old , or if you had a small item puncture the tyre it would be very slow and a very small hole. garages can mend small punctures and its cheeper than a new tyre