Was swapping snow tires on one of our cars yesterday and came across a screw in one of the all seasons I was taking off. Opted to remove the screw which turned out to be short and stubby, and does not appear to have punctured as a day later pressure is still testing good. I'm curious, anything to do for the hole that is left? No idea how close I would be to leaking but it has me wondering if I am going to have an issue down the road or how, if at all, this would usually be dealt with.
Screw In Tire: No Leak
- Thread starter 99Saturn
- Start date
Best idea would be to get a tire plug kit from your local auto parts store and plug it.
On another note, when were these tires manufactured? There should be a date code on the side of the tire somewhere. Those cracks in the rubber is a sign that the rubber is degraded and isn't in the best shape anymore. Many people on here would recommend you get new all-seasons in the spring.
On another note, when were these tires manufactured? There should be a date code on the side of the tire somewhere. Those cracks in the rubber is a sign that the rubber is degraded and isn't in the best shape anymore. Many people on here would recommend you get new all-seasons in the spring.
Probably not, you may have exposed a steel belt, and it may start to rust. Enough to matter? Those tires look like they are nearly done so I would just run them until the end. If you want to feel better, maybe put a glob of rubber cement in the hole?
The Outback had a small cut that went down to the belts this summer and we just ran it until this fall as the tires were done.
The Outback had a small cut that went down to the belts this summer and we just ran it until this fall as the tires were done.
Tires are pretty much shot and ready to be replaced anyway - they have lived their usable like, both in age in tread remaining. But the situation had me wondering what was the "right way" to address such situations.
Tires are close to the end. You could push a plug through, and make it a real hole, and seal it up... or hope that it's fine and just finish off the tire next summer.
Can you get a pick and just gently poke around in the hole? If it's nicked down to the steel belts, perhaps you could argue that you should push a plug through--that way, it would seal the belts and hopefully stave off rust. If not, then I wonder if it's better to leave alone.
Just how much tread is left? I don't run mine down to 2/32's, I try to get off at 4/32's. If it was me, I'd just use this as reasoning to toss out for new ones (although those cracks make me wonder if they are not aging out too).
Can you get a pick and just gently poke around in the hole? If it's nicked down to the steel belts, perhaps you could argue that you should push a plug through--that way, it would seal the belts and hopefully stave off rust. If not, then I wonder if it's better to leave alone.
Just how much tread is left? I don't run mine down to 2/32's, I try to get off at 4/32's. If it was me, I'd just use this as reasoning to toss out for new ones (although those cracks make me wonder if they are not aging out too).
dnewton3
Staff member
I had the same thing happen to my nearly-new Contis for my MX-5. I opted to have the "hole" patched as a precaution. My concern was that I had no idea how deep the blind hole was, and perhaps an evasive move might exacerbate the hole and start a leak. An ounce of prevention, as it were.
^ The only way to fix it right is with an inside, vulcanizing patch.
However, if you're not losing air, I would just shh leave it alone. If Walmart still has that Black Friday tire sale I'd buy four and store them until you're convinced these tires are done.
However, if you're not losing air, I would just shh leave it alone. If Walmart still has that Black Friday tire sale I'd buy four and store them until you're convinced these tires are done.
I have seen that many times in my lifetime. I never gave it a 2nd thought.
Many years ago, when I was a poor graduate student, I had a van with radial snow tires. I noticed one tire had a screw in the middle of the tread, but was holding air. As I pried the screw out, air started to escape. I pushed it back in, and the leak stopped.
So I got some GE Silicone Seal. Pried the screw out, smeared the Silicone Seal all over it, and shoved it back in. Let the van sit for a couple of days for the Silicone Seal to cure. I was able to drive that tire until its tread wore out. The head of the screw wore off, and the "screw plug" held air perfectly for the remainder of the tire's life.
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So I got some GE Silicone Seal. Pried the screw out, smeared the Silicone Seal all over it, and shoved it back in. Let the van sit for a couple of days for the Silicone Seal to cure. I was able to drive that tire until its tread wore out. The head of the screw wore off, and the "screw plug" held air perfectly for the remainder of the tire's life.
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JHZR2
Staff member
I had that same situation on a car that was only used in fair weather, so the rusting belt concerns wasn’t really an issue.
I’d personally be hesitant to fully execute a hole for the sole purpose of plugging and patching it.
I’m not sure if there is a sufficiently robust rubber cement, but if not, I’d probably elect to cut a section of a self vulcanizing plug off, work it gently in the hole, flatten it down, cut it flush, and let it be.
I’d personally be hesitant to fully execute a hole for the sole purpose of plugging and patching it.
I’m not sure if there is a sufficiently robust rubber cement, but if not, I’d probably elect to cut a section of a self vulcanizing plug off, work it gently in the hole, flatten it down, cut it flush, and let it be.
