Puncture.

[Bricktop X PWR]

Yesterday, whilst on my way back from Haverfordwest, my TPMS warning came alive for a loss of pressure in my nearside rear tyre.

The warning started at 2.5 Bar and every 5 minutes or so, I lost .1 of a Bar.

I was only 10 minutes from home, so carried on and just kept an eye on it.

I had a 4G boosting aerial to fit to my chimney stack on the roof yesterday, so left the tyre to this morning.

I have fixed several punctures on my motorbikes, but had not used the kit on a car until my Etron last year.

Sure enough, I came out this morning to a completely flat tyre.

The kit I have does exactly the same job as the commercial tyre fitters, except they repair from inside out and I repaired mine outside in.

Essentially it means they have to remove the tyre from the rim to repair it, then faff about re balancing the wheel as well.

Oh and that will be £29.50 please.
(Other prices are available)

I think that is quite reasonable to be honest, considering the work involved, and if I didn't have a clue what I was doing or how to go about it, I would certainly use a commercial premises.

If you go to the bother of taking a loose wheel to the premises, it should be cheaper.

For example, a friend of mine recently got a loose van wheel puncture repaired for a fiver.

Not everybody can, or would want to fix their own punctures, but being an ex retail mechanic (serviced and repaired vehicles for the public) I would always prefer to do things myself, if at all possible.

Just doing things myself means that I know its been done properly and everything has been done back up to spec.........

Unlike my recent trip to an MG dealer where I found six bolts that should be securing the top of the front bumper missing!
I found them and put them back where they belonged.

I also get immense satisfaction from doing this sort of thing myself, and it also gives me an excuse to still be involved with my vehicle.

So much has been taken away from the DIY motorist since the EV revolution has really started to kick in.

Yes, you can still check some levels and pressures, but not much else.

Some will be glad about that, but I for one, am not.

 

[Brettus]

Ah what a pain in the butt. Least as you say it IS still a possible DIY fix with the decent kit.
Fingers crossed for it being trouble free for the rest of the miles on the tyre (not sure how long that’ll be given your heavy right foot anyway ?)

Nice write up and guide too! ?

 

[Bricktop X PWR]

Hello Buddy!

Thanks for that.?

Rears are on 7mm, fronts still have 8mm.

I didn't measure them from new, so no ideal how there doing. (DOH)

All wearing nicely and evenly though.

Are you any nearer getting your car back?

I'm assuming you haven't got it yet as I'm sure you would have told us.
(Or have I missed it ?)

 

[siteguru]

Yeah - I've used those tar string repair kits for years; even used it on my motorbike rear tyre one time when I got a puncture at the Green Welly Stop up at Tyndrum. The first time was on my 2012 Golf GT when I got a puncture within 2 weeks of getting the car (new) - the same tyre stayed on the car until it was replaced some 40k+ miles later.

 

[Bricktop X PWR]

They are completely trustworthy AFAIK.

3 seperate repairs in the one rear tyre of my R1 back in 2016.

Two repaired by @Doug C whilst I was on shift! Thanks M8 ?

Commuting to work very often found me in the center of the traffic, exactly where are the crap gets thrown out to.

 

[andi]

We had an email from amazon stating they wanted our kit back, on safety grounds.
Something to do with E.U.
I haven't bothered because I've not had a problem using them. And they last.

 

[Alan Lamb]

Been using them for years and never had a problem on my cars and others.

 

[OriginalBigAl]

As above, but what are the three holes on each side of your repair ? Never seen those on a tyre before! ?

 

[Bricktop X PWR]

As above, but what are the three holes on each side of your repair ? Never seen those on a tyre before! ?

Can you see that they are inline with the TWI? (Tread Wear Indicators)

Same idea, but for the inner and outer rubber.

So when they are gone, and you are down to the TWI, you should replace your tyre.

Providing you are fastidious with your pressures (As Am I) and your alignment is all good, this should occur at the same time.?

Edit: They are also like a countdown.....

Three will become two.
Two will become one.
The one closest to the tread is the deepest and will be level with the TWI in the tread.

 

[Bricktop X PWR]

An interesting video for anyone wondering how these repairs work.

 

[topperharley]

I can recycle the mtb tools, they are exactly the same.

 

[Ian Key]

I've used the repair screw and yes it works and is easy and quick to do but I still had the tyre professionally repaired a couple of days later.

 

[kc1966]

Last week my wife was driving our MG4 (Billy basic model) when she had a flat tyre. The car alerted me via the app. Unfortunately all the warnings on the car display and sounds was not enough to stop her driving. I phoned her and said you have a flat tyre. Her reply ‘I thought it sounded funny’ ??????
One ruined tyre. We live in France where the rules say you have to replace both tyres on the same axle. So two new tyres bought. The MG dealer was cheaper than the tyre places and they had them in stock.
I wish MG would introduce a device which inflicted pain on the driver until they stopped the car.