Slow leak: tire goop? Or new tire?

[jschmidt]

I'm not familiar with that specific "mushroom" style plug - the kind we use have a similar base, but they have a wire that extends up through the plug section.  It does appear that the outside of the plug was trimmed too closely to the surface of the tread and that allowed it to be pushed back inside the tire over time.  I cannot say for-sure why it failed just based on a photo.

One other thing that hasn't been mentioned is that for a patch/plug to be properly installed, the puncture must be very close to 90º to the surface of the tread.  Odd angles of penetration will make it impossible to repair safely.

I've repaired lots of tubeless, radial motorcycle tires, and the only failure that I've ever had was with one of those "rope" style repairs.

I've already explained to him why he doesn't know what he's talking about and why plugs aren't a permanent repair. Don't waste your breath.

[GriffbsXX]

I'll bet it was plugging that didn't work, right? A proper inside patch is virtually foolproof.

It had a patch plug, a 2" round patch with a plug rising out of the middle. Failed miserably so I put the slime in and ran it for a couple of months with an intermittent slow leak. The slime gelled but never fully set so it would leak sometimes. It ran fine though and kept me riding till I put a new tire on it.

[jschmidt]

It had a patch plug, a 2" round patch with a plug rising out of the middle. Failed miserably so I put the slime in and ran it for a couple of months with an intermittent slow leak. The slime gelled but never fully set so it would leak sometimes. It ran fine though and kept me riding till I put a new tire on it.

Wow, that's a one in 10,000 failure at least. The beauty of an inside patch is that air pressure makes it work better. I wonder what the problem was?

[Busy Little Whiner]

Wow, that's a one in 10,000 failure at least. The beauty of an inside patch is that air pressure makes it work better. I wonder what the problem was?

Jim... my inside patch was starting to come unstuck as well... the problem with the mushroom
portion of the patch is that it will not stay adhered to the contact patch as it flexes from round to
flat... and when it comes unstuck air can not push the unstuck portion of the mushroom against
the tire because now the pressure is equal on both sides of the mushroom... that's why I only
recommend the sting type plug like Safety Seals at the Busy Little Shop... it can not come unstuck
or be jettisioned...

[Penforhire]

Jschmidt, you're right about Slime but check out "Ride-On TPS."  They claim it is fine for tubes.  I put some in my R75's tubes and, as advertised, it did not disturb the balance.  The stuff looks like liquid latex without the chunky clotting agents in Slime.  Heck, I put Slime in a leaky car tire a few months back and I HATED the effect on balance.  No Slime for me!

[Canuck]

Nothing really to add, except that I get a new valve stem every time I put on a new tire. For an extra couple of bucks it seems like good insurance.

[jschmidt]

Jschmidt, you're right about Slime but check out "Ride-On TPS."  They claim it is fine for tubes.  I put some in my R75's tubes and, as advertised, it did not disturb the balance.  The stuff looks like liquid latex without the chunky clotting agents in Slime.  Heck, I put Slime in a leaky car tire a few months back and I HATED the effect on balance.  No Slime for me!

Hmmm. Good to know.

Jim... my inside patch was starting to come unstuck as well... the problem with the mushroom
portion of the patch is that it will not stay adhered to the contact patch as it flexes from round to
flat... and when it comes unstuck air can not push the unstuck portion of the mushroom against
the tire because now the pressure is equal on both sides of the mushroom... that's why I only
recommend the sting type plug like Safety Seals at the Busy Little Shop... it can not come unstuck
or be jettisioned...

Sorry man. I wouldn't take this advice on my ex-wife's bike. You're just wrong on this.

[Walker]

You married?


If not fill your bathtub, remove wheel and stick it in the tub. You'll find the leak right away.

 

Hell, even if you are married, the tub can easily be cleaned.  This is exactly what I'd do.  

Also, I'm betting that if break then reset the tire beads, your leak may go away.  (seen this a couple of times... but you need to inspect the wheel bead).  

Finally, do check and pay particular attention to the valve stem and valve, I've seen many leaks right there.