Checking for Tire Leaks

Iplayfarmer · Sep 1, 2009

Now that I got rid of the horses, I don't have a big water trough sitting around to check tires in. Keeping a bottle of bubbles is a lot let intrusive and better for the mosquito population than keeping a LARGE tub of water.

The water trough was the only way I would have found my first valve stem leak. I had checked every square inch of that tire several times before I dunked the tire. I hadn't even thought of the valve stem until I saw the little bubbles slowly forming on the end of the schrader.

Soundguy · Sep 1, 2009

I figure the 'tub' is pretty much the 'go to' test.

every tire store in my town has a big tub of some sort beside their shop.

I think that speaks well for the diagnostic help a tub provides when looking for a pinhole in a tire..

soundguy

Iplayfarmer · Sep 1, 2009

Soundguy said:
I figure the 'tub' is pretty much the 'go to' test.

every tire store in my town has a big tub of some sort beside their shop.

I think that speaks well for the diagnostic help a tub provides when looking for a pinhole in a tire..

soundguy

I don't doubt the effectiveness of a tub at all. I think it's the standard against which all other methods are measured. I'm just looking for something that fits in the drawer with my spray paint and motor oil.

Soundguy · Sep 2, 2009

I bet you an empty tub could be leaned up against the wall with your paint an oil next to it.. or setitng in it if tub flat. no reason you have to leave the tub full except when in use. tub just has to be deep enough to get a tire section, including the valve stem under water.. so.. perhaps 8" lip.. , and wide enough so the radius of the tire will not hit the edges before the tire hits the bottom of the tub. I see oblong black poly feed tubs that fit that bill at tsc for under 10$.. tall enough to imerse the bead.. and longer than they are wide.. cheap.. and weight about a pound empty.. they make great electroloysis tubs too.. that's what I have used them for.

as for checking tires.. i cheat and just hose the tire off and dunk anything i can manhandle into the hose trough!

soundguy

BX2230Dude · Sep 3, 2009

I thought I had a slow leak on the backhoe, didn't see any bubbles though. The tires are good.

radioman · Sep 5, 2009

Iplayfarmer said:
I don't doubt the effectiveness of a tub at all. I think it's the standard against which all other methods are measured. I'm just looking for something that fits in the drawer with my spray paint and motor oil.

Yup, tub seems to be the only way to go. However, lucky me I got a above ground pool I dunk my tires in. (unfornuately I can't use it in winter time

) I tried a bunch of other ideas and none seems to be same or better then pool/tub of water.

I guess we are in the same boat here.
However, I think it would be cool if someone invented a gizmo to add water soluable color dye that we can use when adding air to tire. Just standback and look for color spray fountian

.

psj12 · Sep 5, 2009

Can I use the slime in a tube tire?

Iplayfarmer · Sep 5, 2009

radioman said:
Yup, tub seems to be the only way to go. However, lucky me I got a above ground pool I dunk my tires in. (unfornuately I can't use it in winter time) I tried a bunch of other ideas and none seems to be same or better then pool/tub of water. I guess we are in the same boat here.
However, I think it would be cool if someone invented a gizmo to add water soluable color dye that we can use when adding air to tire. Just standback and look for color spray fountian .

Now if only there were a tub I could dunk my camp trailer in

. I just smelled a propane leak, and I'm having a hard time finding it.