A leak in a tire is annoying and dangerous. Steel rims leak air through the rim and the tire, and alloy rims cause a leak through pores found in cast-aluminum alloy. The holes can be sealed and repaired, but replacing the rims or tires is recommended if the leak persists.
- Skill level:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things you need
- Grease pencil
- 80-grit sandpaper
- Carburetor cleaner
- Silicone gasket sealant
-
1
Inflate the tire to 40 pounds per square inch.
-
2
Demount the tire from the rim.
-
3
Place the damaged rim in a large tub of water and watch for bubbles indicating the origin of the leak.
-
4
Mark the leaks with a grease pencil and take the rim out of the water.
-
5
Sand the leaking areas with 80-grit sandpaper, then brush away any debris or remnants.
-
6
Dab the sanded leaks with a towel and clean the leaks with carburetor cleaner.
-
7
Cover the area thoroughly with a silicone gasket sealant.
-
8
Let the sealed rim dry overnight, then remount it onto the tire.
