Tires Plugging tires

[Sedgewood]

Last summer a stone punctured a bar tire which I tried with some success to plug with a NAPA plug kit. But the hole was really too big to get a good seal and it continued to leak a bit off & on, even with a good dose of tire sealant. A neighbor in the tire business (including ag, industrial and truck tires) had suggested I needed a better plug and glue and offerred to set me up with a kit. He never did. Now I find when pulling SUVs out of ditches and in other the high traction situations the thing leaks quite badly, perhaps because of the cold.

So yesterday off I go with the tire/wheel in hand, headed for the neighbors shop to get him to plug it. On the way I stopped at an auto service / tire shop to see about having my truck serviced. So I asked the guy about plugging the tire. He said he'd try - but with no guarentees because of the tire sealant, which he says eats the plug glue.

Two guys - two conclusions. Two different plugging systems? Or is one of them blowing smoke? Anybody know?

Sedgewood
"some of us have to boil a long time before our yolks harden" john farr

 

[Schultz]

I'm not sure about the sealant eating the glue, but I'm sure to confuse things more for you. I would suggest an internal patch. I have used this method successfully on a tire that the shop said couldn't be plugged because the puncture was partially on the sidewall. "They" said the patches are also more reliable in the tread area than plugs too. Although I have used plugs successfully on, nail or screw punctures.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I would use a tube as well to be sure it won't leak

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

<font color=red>I would use a tube as well to be sure it won't leak</font color=red>

Ed's right.
Internal patch - plus tube.
And while you're at it, fill the tube with Slime.
Then the tire on the other side will start to leak.

A pessimist is never disappointed.