Cars being in the best state and readily available for use is the ultimate dream of every car owner. However, this is not always the case as one or two issues may arise with some parts of the car occasionally. One of the parts of a car that can develop unexpected faults is the tires.
For instance, a driver may notice that his car tire constantly loses air pressure and there may be no visible reasons for this occurrence.
If this is not due to a puncture on the tire or any other damage, then this could be due to a problem with the rim. If this is the case, then it could be troubling as leakages around the rims of a car tire can result in a flat tire at any point in time.
There are many reasons why a car tire could be leaking air around the rim. It could be due to damage to the bead, tire valve, or wheel, including other factors. Regardless, we will be looking at the causes of rim leaks in this article as well as the steps that can be taken to fix rim leaks in car tires.
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Cause of Rim Leaks
Problems with the Wheel
Ensure that your wheel is round to perfection and that it fits on the rim so that it can hold air as it is pumped. However, one downside is that the wheels could lose their round shape over time as your car is used on roads with potholes, as well as contact with hard objects.
Damaged Valve
It is a no-brainer that a tire valve could start developing faults after being used for some time. This is mostly due to corrosion and the chances are high if the valve cap is not installed.
The valve would be damaged due to wear and tear that results from stuff like road salts and other materials that get into the tire valve. The result is that the tire will be losing air and this is not an ideal situation for any car owner.
Meanwhile, soapy water can be used to check leakages in your tire valve. You can initiate this step by pouring soapy water on your tire.
Once this is done, you will notice some bubbles on the valve if the air is leaving the tire. The best practice to enhance the longevity of the valve stem is to ensure that the valve cap is always on.
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Bead Problem
If the bead is damaged, the tire may not fit correctly on the rim and this is a cause for concern.
As mentioned earlier, factors that affect the functioning of the valve such as corrosion and dirt also affect the bead. These challenges may also come up when the bead is not installed accurately. Do well to ensure that this is not the case.
How to Fix A Tire Leaking Air Around The Rims
I guess this is your sole purpose for visiting this website. Well, in your quest to fix rim leaks in your tire, leverage the steps mentioned below. Before you proceed, you must know that they can be challenging.
Remove the tire
When you remove the tire, you will be able to see both sides and easily carry out your checks. Proceed by placing the tire on a flat surface whilst ensuring that the valve does not press on the ground.
Locate the leak location
You can recall us mentioning that soapy water can be used to identify leaking locations on a valve right? Well, you have to follow the step. Pour soapy water on the tire and the rim and look closely to see where any bubbles originate from. Take note of the area or mark it as that will be the source of the leak.
Release the air in the tire
You’ll have to empty the tire. You can do so by removing the valve stem or pressing the valve inlet. The former will ensure that the air in the tire is completely released.
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Release the tire and rim contact
This is one step where some force may be required as the seal is hard to break and this may be due to rust and corrosion near the tire bead. Therefore, the use of a hammer to do the breaking may be required.
Clean the source of the leak
Thoroughly clean the area where the leak was found as well as the tire and the rim to remove every dirt. Doing this ensures that no issues arise when the bead sealer is being applied.
Apply Bead Sealer
A variety of bead sealers abound in the market and you can opt for any one that suits your requirements.
After you’ve purchased one, apply the bead sealer on the rim surface to stop further leakages. A bead sealer will make the tire airtight and stop the air from escaping.
Meanwhile, despite the steps that have been outlined on how to fix a tire that is leaking air around the rim, it is ideal to hire a mechanic to go about this task to avoid any further complications.
After you’ve carried out these steps, refill the tire and apply the soapy water solution to check if the issue has been resolved.
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What is the Average Cost of Fixing a Rim Leak?
If you hire the services of a car mechanic to fix the rim leaks in your tire, then you should be prepared to pay at least $50 and more and this is dependent on if there are additional damages on the rim or tire bead.
Regardless, the wise thing to do before allowing a car mechanic to carry out any job is to request a quote and see if the price is budget-friendly.
Steps to take to prevent your tire from leaking air around the rim
You must make it a habit to not ignore the early signs that point to possible damage to the rim of your car tire. You must adopt maintenance practices to battle corrosion and rusts that would eventually cause issues with your rims.
Ensure to wash your car regularly and pay attention to all parts of the tire when doing this. Don’t just focus on the outer parts and ignore the inner parts of your tire when cleaning it.
Eliminate all dirt and debris from your tire as they cause problems if they are allowed to persist. Also, carry out regular checks on your tire.
Conclusion – How To Fix A Tire Leaking Air Around The Rim
Although you want your car to be in optimal working condition, you must not shy away from the responsibilities that you are expected to perform occasionally.
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As pointed out in the previous section, there are measures that you can put in place to enhance maintenance from your side, so it is advisable to adopt them and put them in place.
Fixing air leaks around the rims of your car may be daunting as it requires efforts to locate the source of these leaks most times. Rust and corrosion are not your friends and you must put measures in place to avoid them.
Also, a bead sealer would go a long way in solving rim issues and you can go about the process by yourself or opt for the services of a car mechanic.