New Wheels

[HowlingGale]

No not a new car thread but a new wheels thread. Took my car to have the tyres looked at as a couple were deflating slowly. Much slower than a slow puncture but there was still obvipusly a problem.

The guy said it's a common problem with alloys. The metal warps and degrades over time meaning the tyres can lose their air tightness. Who knew? I've never heard of it. Had the can from new and its 11 years old so we know it's history.

The guy gave me 3 options:
1- he could grind the wheels to try and make them uniform but this would have little or no impact
2- take the to get refirbished. Likely to cost £2-300
3- leave it and blow the tyres up as required.

I could also replace the wheels but even with steel wheels this will likely cost £200 ish.

Given the age of the car i don't want to spend a fortune, and it's infrequently used anyway. Just looking for any words of wisdom regarding safety or cheapish solutions.

 

[ManinBlack]

Blow them up with nitrogen http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/a3894/4302788/ I've seen a couple of places locally where this is done. Apparently the nitrogen molecules are bigger than oxygen ones, which is why it works.

 

[DCB]

Never heard that one before. I had company cars that had large mileage and never had any issues with wheels going off like that. Different if the kerb jumped out and hit the wheel though 😉

 

[BubbaP]

We have an old A class that suffers this. Our usual garage tried "rimming" the two wheels, which I think is your 1. One improved some, the other not so much. Sounds like may need to search and try the nitro option.

 

[ScienceBoy]

Take it from an ex gas chromatographer. Nitrogen atoms atoms are bigger!

Craps up your peaks if you try to slow down a run.

 

[HowlingGale]

Thanks guys looks like the nitrogen option would be best. Will need to research it all though.

 

[larmen]

I am surprised by the nitrogen bit. I am aware that it is bigger, but also that the air contains 70% of nitrogen. So if you leaking small molecules, then top up with air again, you should get close to 'full' with nitrogen eventually without extra hassle of finding it or cost.

However, I can't imagine a leak to small for nitrogen but large enough for oxygen. It's not F1 we are talking about here.

 

[full_throttle]

Blow them up with nitrogen http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/a3894/4302788/ I've seen a couple of places locally where this is done. Apparently the nitrogen molecules are bigger than oxygen ones, which is why it works.

Mr Tyre offer the Nitrogen and it's not expensive

 

[Fish]

My front left on the CLK with my low profiles suffers this problem, takes about 6 weeks if I do nothing before I need to rush down and pump some more air in, took the tyre to National Tyre and they reported back my tyre was fine and my alloy must be distorted!!

Never heard of the nitrogen fix, will investigate.

 

[CliveW]

Generally this is due to corrosion causing pitting between the tyre bead and wheel especially in alloys. In most cases this can be cured by removing the tyre and cleaning the corrosion on the wheel before replacing it but using a sealant between tyre and rim. Most tyre fitting firms will do this for a nominal charge much less than the cost of new wheels. Tyre pressures should be checked regularly especially if you are aware of any problems such as leaks.

 

[ManinBlack]

This would probably work. I've used it before. https://www.puncturesafe.com

 

[MegaSteve]

Never heard that one before. I had company cars that had large mileage and never had any issues with wheels going off like that. Different if the kerb jumped out and hit the wheel though 😉

Not sure about kerbs jumping out but the proliferation of potholes doesn't help...