So, I picked up some big screw/bolt thing yesterday on the passenger rear tire. I screwed it in all the way so I wouldn't loose any air and it seems to be fine for now. Can run flat tires be repaired or should I just get a new tire?

It just so happens that I have my first maintenance scheduled tomorrow at the dealer so I can have them look at it when I am there.

As long as I have been driving I have never had this happen to a tire. Now that I have good expensive tires it happens within 9 months of ownership!

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Laurie

 

Sometimes the runflats can be repaired.

If the hole is near the sidewall, then plan to get a new tire.

 

basic rules about repairing radials apply - with some changes for runflats

• if the hole isn't too big, the tire can be patched and plugged from the inside. Too big is subjective and can vary from store to store.
• if the puncture is near in or too near the sidewall, the tire can not be repaired. too near sidewall is subjective
• if the tire has been driven on w/out air and the side wall breaks down, the tire can not be repaired. For a standard tire this is a few miles. For runflats like our this is farther....but if the runflat was run at zero PSI for 50 miles one should assume the tire is toast. In between? subjective. If the tire always held air cuz the bolt was in the hole, there's no sidewall damage and you are good to go once patched.

I've had r/f patched and plugged 4 times - and run tires for 40,000 after....no problem. The tire must come off the wheel to be done right - any tire, not just r/f's. An outside plug alone is not as good as an internal patch IMHO. After remounting the tire the wheel should be rebalanced.

An issue you may encounter is finding a shop that can correctly handle low profile run flat tires. They are a _ _ _ _ h on a bead breaker/mounting machine..... Many (most) shops will charge extra....

My last r/f plug cost me $15 - for off the car service - I took in the wheel I removed myself....

 

I picked up a screw in my tire, close to the middle of the treads, so not anywhere near the sidewall, and the dealership fixed with a quick plug, no problems.

 

i think the biggest plugs ive seen were 1/4" diameter.

they were the T shaped plugs with patch and has to be mounted from
the inside.

 

Thanks for all the advice. Here is a picture of the screw/bolt.

 

"Big" is such a relative term it is difficult to respond to this authoritatively. Regardless of how long the "screw" is it is more important how large in diameter it is.

If it is .25" or smaller, near the center of the tread, then you can most likely have it repaired. Just don't go to your MINI service center, they will sell you at least 1 and possible 2 new tires.

Find a tire dealer that is authorized to work on run-flat tires and has the correct machine. The correct method to repair a run-flat tire is to remove the tire from the rim and install a self-vulcanizing patch from the inside. Ask the tire dealer before you take it to them to see if they will repair a simple puncture in a run-flat, many will not.

Personally, I carry a tire plug kit, some "Slime", and a small 12VDC air compressor. I have only had to use the tire plugs a few times, never the had to use the "Slime", for punctures in the main tread area and it worked and held for over 15,000 miles of sometimes vigorous driving.

In each case I never ran the tire without air. I was able to catch each one as a slow leak and plug it soon after it happened. Running the tire without air can cause very serious internal damage in the carcass of the tire that can not be detected by visual inspection.

Good luck.

 

Laurie,

That looks a little close to the shoulder to be plugged or patched. But, check with your local Dunlop tire shop to be sure.

 

i think that's patchable.

 

You might want to dab some soapy water on it first, just to see if it, in fact, did puncture the tire. Perhaps back it out a bit until you start seeing the water bubble a bit.

Many times I've been pleasantly surprised that a nail or screw entered at such an angle, or was broken off much shorter than it looked, such that it only penetrated the tread block and never actually punctured the tire.

Take it to a shop or dealer.... and pretty much guaranteed, they'll want to sell you a new tire .

 

When I first discovered it, my husband thought it would be a good idea to twist it out also. That is when the hissing started (from the tire not me). I had him screw it back in all the way to seal it back up.

I went to Shore Tire after work tonite and they were able to patch the tire, spin and balance and replace the stem (long story) for a grand total of $16.75!

Hopefully the patch will do the trick so I will be all set. Now my only problem is that the flat tire monitor lite came on and I can't seem to get it to go away. I will have the dealer take care of that tomorrow.

Thanks for all the information guys!
Laurie

 

cool.

 

I had a screw right there at the same spot and mine wasn't patchable..
Ended up getting new tire but having a tire warranty helped.
Cool yours was able to be patched. I'd keep an eye on it though.