Volvo S60 Alloy Leaking

thehomeofDob

I have a problem with the front driver side wheel slowly leaking air. It will drop to 15-20 psi over a week or two. I went to a garage to get what I thought was a puncture plugged, they charged me a tenner and I went on my way (no receipt, no docket given, but I thought seeing as it was only a puncture it'd be grand). The leak is back a week and a half later.

I was out with one of the lads from work and mentioned it to him, he used to work with various alloys in a different industry and said it could be that the wheel itself is looking and that I should look into it.

Have you guys any ideas? This is the state of the wheel. Can it be repaired or do I need to bite the bullet and get it replaced?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ula65cs2a8qldw3/2012-09-04%2010.11.09.jpg

Bead seal might sort it.

Stallingrad

Porous alloys are not unheard of. The best option is to remove the wheel and submerge it in the bath (best done when the lady of the house is out!) to see if you can find the leak. You don't want to go replacing wheels when the problem could be the tyre.

miller50841

Its the rubber valve that needs replacing that the air goes in and part the dust cap goes on. Ther perish after a few years .

I had the same problem with original ones on my 06 VRs changed the 4 and no leaks all good now:D

thehomeofDob

I'll try the bath trick tonight. I have a portable compressor that should help. Glad I bought those car jack stands now.

To save you removing the wheel you can also spray some soapy water using sprayer bottle. The leaky bit will soon begin to bubble.

Have been battling with similar issue myself. I used tyre puncture foam and it fixed the issue. Just add a copious amount and go for a short spin at 50 km/h or less so that the foam gets distributed evenly.

Stallingrad

samih wrote: »

To save you removing the wheel you can also spray some soapy water using sprayer bottle. The leaky bit will soon begin to bubble.

Have been battling with similar issue myself. I used tyre puncture foam and it fixed the issue. Just add a copious amount and go for a short spin at 50 km/h or less so that the foam gets distributed evenly.

Worth trying first, but wont show you a tiny leak from a porous inside rim.

thehomeofDob

I've actually been meaning to get the wheels off to give them a thorough cleaning ( as well as the inside of the wheel well), so I may as well get to it today while the weather is nice and I've nothing planned.

A friend recommended Alloy Wheel and Tyre Clinic in Bray - has anyone had any dealings with them?

Stallingrad

thehomeofDob wrote: »

A friend recommended Alloy Wheel and Tyre Clinic in Bray - has anyone had any dealings with them?

They have refurbed 1 wheel for me and unbuckled 2 others, always found them to offer a good service.

thehomeofDob

Dropped the wheel into the bath last night. There was a very small air leak from the valve, so hopefully a replacement will sort that. Any idea on what price I should expect to pay for this?

miller50841

about €10 a valve so best replace the 4 they usually perish around the same time or get done when replacing tyres

usually same price as puncture repair hope that helps