possible fix for slow tire leak

[jonesg]

I was chatting to a volvo nerd at the store today, I told him about a wheel that always leaks air overnite, very annoying having to inflate it every time I have to run to the store. He said its a common problem with alloy wheels and suggested I install an innertube.
My current tire has very few miles but threads are showing in the sidewall already so its got to be replaced, so far I've done 3 tires in 3 years.
I inflate it to 40 psi but it drops to 20 psi the next day every time. Theres probably less than 500 miles on it.

So does an innertube with the next new tire sound like a possible fix?

[oragex]

That's quite a drop overnight. Three causes: small nail causing small leak - may be hard to find. Sticking valve - may work intermittent and hardly show a bubble with soapy water. Indeed corrosion on the wheel at the tire bead - not much to do other than try to remove the tire and put more of that black liquid they use, or refurb the wheels. I'm not aware if this type of tires can be installed with inner tube, I would say that would be quite getto and possibly not safe because the tire is not designed to be pushed from inside by the tube pressure.

[pgill]

20 PSI in less than 20 hours is a lot.

Remove the tire/wheel and inspect carefully.

Check for leaks at the bead by laying it flat an applying soapy water.

Turn it over and check the other side.

Assuming that you changed the valve stem and tire three times with no improvement (I think that's what you wrote) then you need to look for cracks in the alloy.

Depending on the design of the wheel it might leak somewhere that you wouldn't expect. (i.e. if the spokes are hollow the leak could be no where near the tire)

Take a picture of the wheel and post it here.

Its likely that the easiest solution is to find a good used wheel. (or use an inner tube as you pointed out)

Good Luck

Paul

[csh]

I'll second the vote to check for a leak at the bead. I've seen people in the past mention that they had a leak at the bead due to corrosion of the alloy wheels.

I had a strange leak on one of my wheels. I would inflate it to the proper pressure, but it would leak and then stabilize at a lower pressure. One day after inflating the tire I could hear the leak and noticed found it leaking from the bead on the inside side of the wheel. Took it in to have the leak fixed and found out that the wheel was bent. I guess that explains why it only leaked down at certain pressures. I took it to a wheel repair shop and they did there best to straighten the wheel. Not perfectly straight, but it does not leak and I don't notice any vibration.

[jonesg]

Sounds like a plan, just not in this weather, water in the garage only comes in chunks until april.