[Vwdiesel] Weekend science threads: Flat tyres

[Roger Brown]

Mark Shepherd wrote:
> 
> I have a slow puncture that I've had for about 6 months... It takes about 2 weeks to go down to about 15psi from 34ish. The tyre has probably a years life left in it. Rather than hunt out an innertube which is a bit like hens teeth on the high st. due to the regulatory body of the European Nanny state...8O(    Ah I digress....
> I have an emergency repair cannister that is able to inflate and seal (it says temporarily and cost about $12ish )
> I'm thinking this must contain a vulcanising solution; so do any of the chemists have any thoughts on 'miserly' substitutes? Logic tells me to go to the shed and find some bottles of solvent and spill some on a tyre and see what softens it. I'm thinking some cycle tyre repair sol'n diluted/thinned would be the um er solution ;o)

For about the same price as one can of the seal-inflate stuff, you can usually
find a large bottle (I have a gallon jug) of sealant only.  Gets pumped into
the tire, after removing the valve stem, then you refill it with air.  Might
try an automotive supply warehouse or tire shop.  The stuff I have used is a
water-based emulsion with some sort of fiberous material in it.  Its the fibers
that leak out the hole and clog it up.  There is probably a latex component to
the liquid and that will eventually harden.

A leak of that speed though, may be rust or dirt along the tire bead or though
a leaky valve stem.  

--
   Roger