REVscene - Vancouver Automotive Forum

gearshifter · 06-08-2011, 11:41 AM

I think my tire is leaking air...
Loses substantially more air than the other tires which leads me to believe in a tire leak some where.

Any recommendations for a tire leak place in vancouver / richmond?

fliptuner · 06-08-2011, 12:03 PM

If it's not on any special rim and you wanna be cheap, Kal on Boundary.

If it's a nice mag with a lowpro tire, go see a sponsor.

Dragon-88 · 06-08-2011, 12:06 PM

Yeah ive gotten 3 tires repaired at Kal tire all for free. Worstcase i believe its like a $20 repair.. I dont know how I get mine for free but everytime I'm willing to pay they just tell me its free. I didnt even buy my tires or rims from them...

gearshifter · 06-08-2011, 01:02 PM

thanks for the advice... they're nice 20" rims, i think i should see a sponsor?
but wouldn't the process be the same anywhere?

s300ae · 06-08-2011, 01:18 PM

From personal experience, be careful. The process is generally the same. When I had a flat kal tire fixed it for free.
It started leaking again, I went to good year because they were closer and they scratched my lip remounting the tire. I tried telling them they did it but I had no proof that it wasn't there before.
It wasn't a deep scratch and I was able to buff it out myself, but generally places like that are not as careful some others who only deal with high end rims.
Posted via RS Mobile

iambuRnz · 06-08-2011, 03:00 PM

to save yourself from trouble like above poster, take pics of the rim before you take it to the shop. that way if they do scratch it you have proof.

gearshifter · 06-08-2011, 11:28 PM

what sponsor is recommended?

Bonka · 06-08-2011, 11:35 PM

Speed Syndicate in Burnaby
BJ Autohaus in Vancouver
Drivehard in Richmond

fliptuner · 06-09-2011, 07:41 AM

Yeah, the process is generally the same but some places have better machines and deal with higher end wheels and more discerning clients on a regular basis.

Cost may be a bit more but well worth it on nice rims, considering the possibility of them getting damaged by a regular shop.

FerrariEnzo · 06-09-2011, 10:23 AM

most kal tire do it for free but if they have a food donation box, drop something in...

MWR34 · 06-09-2011, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearshifter

Any recommendations for a tire leak place in vancouver / richmond?

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearshifter

thanks for the advice... they're nice 20" rims, i think i should see a sponsor?
but wouldn't the process be the same anywhere?

you kinda answered the question yourself.

Any competent mechanic shop, can remove tires, check the rim, check the bead, clean the rim, and diagnose the mysterious air theft.

there is only three main ways out.
1, the valve stem. Make sure the valve core is screwed in tight to not leak air. Check with soapy water around the stem to see if any bubbles come out.

2, the bead of the rim. (where the tire meets the rim) First inspect any weird shapes in the rim, have your trusty spray bottle filled with soapy water, and lay your tire horizontally, let a small puddle of soapy water seat the rim/tire crevasse and watch for bubbles. flip to other side aswell and do the same.

3, Make sure the tire has a decent amount of air, and visually see if there are any nails or holes in the tread/sidewalls. Once again, start spraying the soapy water while slowly inspecting small sections at a time. Listen for a gurgling sound, fizzing.. etc.. and if still no visible signs, remove tire and inspect from the inside.

And also, always check all of the above... cause there can always be more than one leak at a time, and fixing one of them wont solve your problem!!

fliptuner · 06-09-2011, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MWR34

you kinda answered the question yourself.

Any competent mechanic shop, can remove tires, check the rim, check the bead, clean the rim, and diagnose the mysterious air theft.

there is only three main ways out.
1, the valve stem. Make sure the valve core is screwed in tight to not leak air. Check with soapy water around the stem to see if any bubbles come out.

2, the bead of the rim. (where the tire meets the rim) First inspect any weird shapes in the rim, have your trusty spray bottle filled with soapy water, and lay your tire horizontally, let a small puddle of soapy water seat the rim/tire crevasse and watch for bubbles. flip to other side aswell and do the same.

3, Make sure the tire has a decent amount of air, and visually see if there are any nails or holes in the tread/sidewalls. Once again, start spraying the soapy water while slowly inspecting small sections at a time. Listen for a gurgling sound, fizzing.. etc.. and if still no visible signs, remove tire and inspect from the inside.

And also, always check all of the above... cause there can always be more than one leak at a time, and fixing one of them wont solve your problem!!

But not every competent shop has the equipment to swap big rims with low profile tires, reliably.

Given the questions he's asking, he's probably not going to bother pulling the wheel and check where the leak is coming from but just make sure there's enough air in there until he has a shop deal with it. Even if he does find where the leak is coming from, there's nothing he can do except take it in.

Unless of course he finds sidewall damage, in which case I would advise to swap to a stock wheel for safety reasons. This doesn't seem to be the case though.

s300ae · 06-09-2011, 01:30 PM

OK tire in Langley got a sweetass machine that pulls and stretches tires effortlessly
Dales sends all their tire work their. I got mine put on there. Awesome guys to deal with.
Posted via RS Mobile

Phil@rise · 06-09-2011, 01:49 PM

Any shop thats doing it for free and didn't sell the tires in the first place isn't removing the tires or even the wheel from the car they are just pulling the offending nail and putting a plug in.
That takes about five minutes and most any shop will do that for free.

Dragon-88 · 06-09-2011, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil@rise

Any shop thats doing it for free and didn't sell the tires in the first place isn't removing the tires or even the wheel from the car they are just pulling the offending nail and putting a plug in.
That takes about five minutes and most any shop will do that for free.

I dont think this is true since all 3 of my tires had to get removed for repair. Althought they werent aftermarket rims just OEM.. I would always watch since the Kal tire on Boundry has a viewing area wher you can watch the guy do the work...

Phil@rise · 06-09-2011, 06:53 PM

Theres always some exceptions to the norm and great for them for doing so.

redlineintegra · 06-09-2011, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil@rise

Any shop thats doing it for free and didn't sell the tires in the first place isn't removing the tires or even the wheel from the car they are just pulling the offending nail and putting a plug in.
That takes about five minutes and most any shop will do that for free.

In regards to Kal Tire, this is incorrect. As a manager, I can tell you none of our stores are allowed to use external plugs in tires, they are all removed from the wheel and repaired from the inside, or bead cleaned, tpms kit replaced, etc. Most of our stores are fully capable or repairing any kind of tire/wheel, and we do them no charge.

Phil@rise · 06-09-2011, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redlineintegra

In regards to Kal Tire, this is incorrect. As a manager, I can tell you none of our stores are allowed to use external plugs in tires, they are all removed from the wheel and repaired from the inside, or bead cleaned, tpms kit replaced, etc. Most of our stores are fully capable or repairing any kind of tire/wheel, and we do them no charge.

Even when the tires were never bought there or mounted/balanced there?

If so OP go see this guy
and I'll have to remember you too

Cman333 · 06-10-2011, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redlineintegra

In regards to Kal Tire, this is incorrect. As a manager, I can tell you none of our stores are allowed to use external plugs in tires, they are all removed from the wheel and repaired from the inside, or bead cleaned, tpms kit replaced, etc. Most of our stores are fully capable or repairing any kind of tire/wheel, and we do them no charge.

You guys would patch tires that OK tire sold to a customer for free?

ruthless · 06-10-2011, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil@rise

Any shop thats doing it for free and didn't sell the tires in the first place isn't removing the tires or even the wheel from the car they are just pulling the offending nail and putting a plug in.
That takes about five minutes and most any shop will do that for free.

Quote:

Originally Posted by redlineintegra

In regards to Kal Tire, this is incorrect. As a manager, I can tell you none of our stores are allowed to use external plugs in tires, they are all removed from the wheel and repaired from the inside, or bead cleaned, tpms kit replaced, etc. Most of our stores are fully capable or repairing any kind of tire/wheel, and we do them no charge.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil@rise

Even when the tires were never bought there or mounted/balanced there?

If so OP go see this guy
and I'll have to remember you too

Took my wheel to Kal-Tire in Newton and they did it for free. Had nail go through it.
Was first time there, hadn't purchased anything from them in the past.
Took tire off and patched it (asked him to confirm)...would have cost 29$(?) but said it was free (just to keep them in mind when I need an oil change or new tires)

gearshifter · 06-18-2011, 04:49 PM

How long does this process generally take?
Maybe I'll take it to a kal tire as i tried calling some sponsors but they are closed for the weekend

Kayci · 06-18-2011, 05:16 PM

You can also check out Tirestop if your tire has a nail in it. They're on Victoria Drive & 36th. I had a few nails on multiple occasions; they patch it for $10 cash.

Edit: Usually takes about ~15mins unless there's a lineup. I always see a few taxi's waiting every time I'm there.

jackal · 06-18-2011, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redlineintegra

In regards to Kal Tire, this is incorrect. As a manager, I can tell you none of our stores are allowed to use external plugs in tires, they are all removed from the wheel and repaired from the inside, or bead cleaned, tpms kit replaced, etc. Most of our stores are fully capable or repairing any kind of tire/wheel, and we do them no charge.

i'm sorry i just had to comment on how retarded kal-tire prices are. i give them props for doing repairs for free but i would never ever send anyone to kal tire for tires or mount and balance.