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MG MGF Technical - Rear tyres deflating?

Hi there,

My MGF's rear tyres deflate and I have to pump them up more than twice a week. I took it to a tyre place to see if they both had slow punctures but he just told me that I had the wrong make of tyres on the back and that they should have been champion (i think?) and because of this they did not seat properly and so went down slowly?

Seems weird to me?

Cheers

Grant Kay
Grant Kay

Hi Grant,

Sounds like bull***t regarding the type of tyre causing deflation.

I have a similar issue on one of my fronts and have been advised alloys do deteriorate but can be resealed.

2 local tyre specialists have offered to do this at £12 – 16 per rim. Until I try it I won’t recommend fully etc.

The F is sensitive to tyre choice, if you have a budget tyre on the back, it’s unlikely to be handling at it’s best.

Good luck, Russ.
Russ D Mellor

I havce the same issue and plan to get one wheel refurbished as a trial.

I will post the results later.
Brian Highe

Grant,

They wouldn't be Champion tyre distributors by any chance would they????
Sam Murray

My independant garage routinely paint the whole width of mine(11 year olds) with a fine smear of rubbery sealing/seating compound (after cleaning off any previous) before the Toyo T1-Rs go on. I check the air pressure routinely and they seldom need topping up.
I wonder how many rear tyre blow outs are caused by underinflation? (allegedly) Goodyears seem to have cropped up in this context on this BBS - maybe more are fitted than other brands - this is not an accusation.
C.R.B. Simeon

My front wheels went..

If they need inflating twice a week ( as mine did ) then it's the tyre/alloy seal that is the problem.
It's a result of corrosion on the inside of the alloy wheel. You'll only see it with the tyre off.

In the early stages, you can slap on some extra sealant when fitting the tyre. This will only work for a relatively short period of time. The corroded area ( which is bubbling and flaking the paint) needs to be cleaned up and repainted.

A wire head on a grinder will make short work of it. a couple of coats of hammerite ( I used primer then silver ) makes it better than new. I gave the whole alloy a respray followed by a few coats of laquer last year - no deflation at all now.
Grahame B

My daughter had the same problem on a Fiat Chinkie (Don't mock, more like the original Isigonis Mini than anything BMW has to offer !) and Grahame B's solution was the one that worked.

However, make sure your valves are not leaking before paying to have your tyres removed and refitted. Dilute some washing up liquid 1:2 with water, smear it over the mouth of the valve and see if the bubble bursts.

Adam
A. H. Price

I have two wheels currently being refurbished. The guy who is doing them is familiar with this problem. More when I get them back next Saturday.
Brian Highe

Bet its the face on your alloy wheels its nothing to do with the make of tyre
W WALKER

I just got mine back from the refurbishers and they have done a great job. They shotblasted all the old paint off and then powder coated the wheels.

The old paint was lifting around the inside rim and the corrosion must have been running under the tyre bead separating the paint from the metal. With the wheels off the car it was possible to run soapy water around the bead with the wheel laid flat. After a couple of minutes the small air leak was visible as foam.

Contact is info@wheelrefurbishing.co.uk
www.wheelrefurbishing.co.uk
01442 834169

The company is between Hemel Hempstead and Chesham but will take deliveries by courier.

Cost is £40 per wheel including removing and refitting the tyre with a new valve and balancing.

Brian Highe

Thanks for all this will go and get the wheels sorted now.

Cheers

Grant Kay
grant kay

I went to http://www.alloywheelrepairs.net to get a rim dent removed (the hazards of South Lanarkshire!). It's about 46 miles from you if you're interested in a thorough refurbish.
You could also look at where the valve fits in the wheel rim, as there's probably some corrosion there as well!
Mike Cunningham

This thread was discussed between 06/11/2007 and 02/01/2008

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