Mark81

I bought some Slime to fix a puncture today and it worked brilliantly on my front tyre, the slime went down the tube and into the inner tube without any problem.

When I tried to do the rear tyre, the slime was only filling up the valve and not actually going inside the inner tube. I can inflate it without any trouble so doesn't seem to be a blockage.

Does anyone know why the slime won't go in? It's the same type of tyre as the front wheel.

Thanks for any help!
Mark

leob1

Do yourself a favor, learn to patch your tubes, or buy new ones. Slime is a messy, temporary solution.

NYMXer

Was your valve at the bottom of the tire? It should be in the upper half, probably around 9 or 6 o clock. Also, I remove the vavle, then reinstall it before I add air.
It really should be that easy....

fietsbob

I read of a Slimed tire blowing off the rim .. worst part was trying to catch the cat to wash the green stuff Off the Cat.


I have to Guess Presta, fixed core, its the valve in your way .. Schrader tube the core comes Out.. Replace it if its Gummed up .

its treating the stem like a puncture

Mark81

I've tried it in all positions, it's like there's a block in the valve but I've cleaned it out and there's nothing seemingly in the way. It's a Schrader valve, same as the front tyre which I fixed without any trouble.

You inject the slime directly into the inner tube then? Does the valve come off easily? Thanks

**

I do know how to patch a puncture, I thought this would be a good way to prevent them in the future.

CliffordK

Keep in mind there are two basic types of sealants. Slime is high viscosity, non-drying.
There are also latex sealants (tubeless sealants) that are lower viscosity (easier to get into the tire/tube), and drying (more permanent). But, they apparently need refreshed periodically.

I slimed up a few tubes for my nephew a couple of months ago. OFF THE BIKE. His tubes had removable core presta. I removed the core. Wrapped the stem with a few wraps of electrical tape to match the slime tube, and put it in. It mostly went well. One tube pluged a bit, so I plunged out the hole with a spoke. Apparently he had some difficulties getting air to go in, so I'll see if it actually worked over Christmas.

There is a video on YouTube about putting slime into tubes with non-removable cores.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnbLI_tLpLs

CliffordK

Any tire store or dept store will have core removers for Schrader tubes (possibly part of various kits, or even valve caps). They come out very easily, and are easy to put back in.

fietsbob

A friend used a Hypodermic needle to put sealant in Cheap sew ups , then patches the needle hole with a tire patch ..

Liked Tubular tires, wanted to Commute on Them..

NYMXer

On my mountain bike, which has Presta, I simply break the bead and pour the liquid into the open tire, reseal and inflate as normal. Quick, easy and while still on the bike.
On a Schrader valve, you must take the valve out and use a hose to squeeze the liquid into the tube. Then, reinstall the valve and inflate. Again, while the tire is still on the rim and bike. No need to remove anything other than the valve. Many caps have a notched molded tip for this reason, if not, the tool is cheap and readily available most anywhere.

noglider 

You had me at "slime problem," and I agree with that. Replace or patch your punctured tube. These are proven methods. Slime? Problem!

Mark81

hehe yep I fixed the front tyre so I know the process of doing it

I had another go after I posted in here and the slime is getting stuck in the valve but not going into the inner tube.

Does anyone know how I would unclog the valve? It's free of slime at the moment as I've cleaned it out and it inflates fine but the slime can't pass through it.

Thanks

CliffordK

If you have a Schrader valve (fat round valve like cars use), then you need a valve core tool like this.



Apparently there are several different models. The business end is those two prongs at the top right. Anyway, snag one at your local auto parts store, or department store. Remove the core, and put the slime in. If it still doesn't go in, fish around with a toothpick or spoke to see if you feel an obstruction.

If you have a presta valve. Look for two flat spots at the end of the valve. If you have those, you're in luck, snag the valve core off with a small crescent wrench. Wrap the electrical tape around the valve stem, and squirt through the hose and into the valve.

If you have the presta valve, but don't have the two flat spots, then watch the video I linked above.

ltxi

x42

RubeRad

You're blowing my mind right now! I never knew that all presta valves are removable core, just some are more convenient than others!

PRMan

I had the same problem. After removing the valve core, I couldn't force the green slime into the inner tube. There's something in the inner tube (other than the core) that prevents anything from entering the inner tube unless extreme pressure (e.g. that supplied by a bicycle pump) is applied. You won't be able to generate enough pressure by squeezing the bottle of green slime. If you try, the clear "plastic straw" (that you use to pump the green slime from the bottle into the inner tube) will slip off of the valve, and green slime will splatter everywhere )and all over everything around).

So - Here's what you can do. Take something about the size of a 3/32 drill bit, and insert the blunt end into the valve. Then press until you temporarily dislodge whatever the thing inside the inner tube is that's preventing you from being able to pump in the green slime.

Put the "plastic straw" over the valve, pump the green slime in, take a piece of paper towel, twist it so that it just fits into the vale, and clean the slime out of the valve. Then replace the valve core and inflate the tire. Ride the bike around for a while in order to give the slime a chance to plug up the leak before a significant amount of air leaks out.

By the way - I've used green slime for about a decade without any undesirable consequences.

leob1

If it's not now, it will be soon. One day you'll notice your tire needs air. But you won't be able to add any because the slime sealed the valve. So then you'll be stuck with a semi inflated tire. You'll get frustrated and angry that you can't fill your tire. You'll have a drink to calm down, then another, then another. You'll be too tired and drunk to ride so you'll sit on the couch and watch TV. Every time you think of your tire, you'll get pissed off and have another drink and flop on the couch. You'll stop riding, get fat and, die on your couch.
Don't use slime, it will kill you.

Iride01 

Not sure why but for some reason your wording reminds me of "Bwando.... the Thirst Mutilator: It's got what plants crave!" While the link doesn't really suggest my tie to your response, the theme in Idiocracy does. We always want to pay more to make a simple process such as fixing a tire "easy" and there fore are dumbed down by not having skills to meet our own needs.

No offense to the OP. It's a growing part of today's society, just as it has been since time started. We have to choose what we have time to learn and deal with.

Troul 

... or replace the tube/tire...extreme case... replace the bike after the first hangover.

RubeRad

It reminded me of this ad campaign for DirecTV:

YOUR link though, reminded me of THUNDER MUSCLE

Velo Mule

Yep. Slime is a problem. Yuck!

Velo Mule

I have to take that back. That was not helpful. I don't like the stuff, however, some of you do. I prefer to patch clinchers and replace tubulars (back in the days when I used tubulars).

You should always have a spare tublular, they are easy to carry. Then patch them up when you get back home.

With clinchers, (normal tires) you should carry a spare tube or a patch kit. I always had a patch kit. With only a little experience you can get pretty good. I like the Tip Top kits best.

Vintage_Cyclist

There is no 'or'. Even with a spare, you need a patch kit for those aggravating days you get more than one flat.

bogydave

IMO
Time for a new tube.
I’ve had the same issue with slimed tubes
Slime makes a mess in/on the tube & tire & hard for a patch to stick.

I upgraded to Stan’s tubeless after a few air leaks that slimed tubes did not fix.