Leaking tire
05-11-16 | 05:03 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
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From: TN
Leaking tire
I just patched a hole on my inner tube (needle size) and stopped a leak, tested it under water and no bubbles but when I put it back in the tire and on the rim it loses air after a few minutes. What am I doing wrong? I feel like an imbecile. Just took the inner tube back out and it holds air, put in on the wheel/tire and it leaks again.
Brandy
Brandy
05-11-16 | 05:08 PM
#2
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From: Salinas , Ca.
Bikes: Bike Nashbar AL-1 ,Raligh M50 , Schwinn Traveler , and others
check the tire for anything that might press on the tube , a small piece of glass or stone ,anything . try using soapy water to see any bubbles show up .
05-11-16 | 07:48 PM
#3
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From: Ontario, Canada
Bikes: iele Latina, Miele Suprema, Miele Uno LS, Miele Miele Beta, MMTB, Bianchi Model Unknown, Fiori Venezia, Fiori Napoli, VeloSport Adamas AX
I just patched a hole on my inner tube (needle size) and stopped a leak, tested it under water and no bubbles but when I put it back in the tire and on the rim it loses air after a few minutes. What am I doing wrong? I feel like an imbecile. Just took the inner tube back out and it holds air, put in on the wheel/tire and it leaks again.
Brandy
Brandy
Cheers
05-11-16 | 11:22 PM
#4
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Some leaks are hard to find. Inflate it as much as it can take (I've popped tires.) and put it in clean soapy water. I keep extra tubes in my box of bike stuff so I can discard an uncooperative tube without too much inconvenience (or swearing).
05-12-16 | 11:32 AM
#6
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Bikes: 1997 Rivendell Road Standard 650b conversion (tourer), 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10 (gravel/tour), 2013 Foundry Auger disc (CX/gravel), 2016 Cannondale Fat CAAD 2 (MTB/winter), 2011 Cannondale Flash 29er Lefty (trail MTB)
05-12-16 | 12:31 PM
#7
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From: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
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I start at the valve, and work my way around until the entire tube has been underwater, bit-by-bit.
Put a decent amount of air in the tube when checking, otherwise it might not leak out.
Put a decent amount of air in the tube when checking, otherwise it might not leak out.
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05-12-16 | 01:35 PM
#8
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From: CA
Putting it in "clean soapy water" is redundant. (Not even mentioning that soapy water is not exactly clean.)
05-12-16 | 02:31 PM
#10
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From: Bozeman
Bikes: 199? Landshark Roadshark, 198? Mondonico Diamond, 1987 Panasonic DX-5000, 1987 Bianchi Limited, Univega... Chrome..., 1989 Schwinn Woodlands, Motobecane USA Record, Raleigh Tokul 2
I just patched a hole on my inner tube (needle size) and stopped a leak, tested it under water and no bubbles but when I put it back in the tire and on the rim it loses air after a few minutes. What am I doing wrong? I feel like an imbecile. Just took the inner tube back out and it holds air, put in on the wheel/tire and it leaks again.
Brandy
Brandy
Obviously the tube still has a hole in it. Pump the tube up outside of the tire and let it sit overnight. It'll be flat in the morning. If you can't find the hole, replace the tube. Make sure nothing is poking it from inside of the tire or rim.
05-12-16 | 04:14 PM
#11
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From: San Diego, CA
Also make sure you wiggle the valve stem around while holding the inflated tube underwater. Sometimes the base of the stem has a cut that only reveals itself when the stem is pushed to one side.
