winovin

I came back from a trip to find the rear tire (Michelin Pilot Sport on 18" rims) had gone from 44lb to 4lb! I called Porsche roadside assistance, and they pumped it back up (at my request). Now it is down 10psi overnite.

One dealer recommended NTB for a plug repair - any advice against this? I am in the DC area.

Thanks

1999Porsche911

I would have it patched from the inside. I have had that done twice and it never leaked again.

Torags

Also if you have the tire off, check the wheel for cracks. After one blowout (due to lo pressure) at 75 and a tire rolling off the wheel (due to lo pressure) on a slow turn; I found I had a leak thru a crack in the wheel.

winovin

How do they check for cracks? x-rays?

keoni1978

dont do it!!! When they plug it basically they take the existing hole, make it bigger and then plug it with a rubber cork of some sort. Have them patch it from the inside

Holger B

A plug is a good way to die if you crank up the speed occassionally. A patch, however, will let you drive the car normally. I had a tire on the M3 patched a few years ago and never had a problem with it.

Torags

Vision.. I had curb rash repairs a few times. The tire installer found it and said it was patched. who knows by whom? You can't use a knock off wheel with P Wheels - they don't match. $900 for the wheel.

I was amazed that you really can't see low tire pressure, the side wall is so rigid.

rbcsaver

It depends upon where the leak is. If it is the side wall, then even a patch will fail over time due to
flex. If on the tread part of the tire, an inside patch will work fine. FWIW, I have used the self vulcanizing plug kits from NAPA, Walmart etc. with great success and never had one fail. One need not make the hole bigger. That said, the steel wires, I am told "can" cut the plugs over time.
Not a good idea to track any plugged or patched tire....you'd only be looking for trouble. However, I also admit to doing that a number of years ago, uneventfully and multiple times until the Dunlop wore out. All of this before I was any wiser.
regards,
Steve

winovin

NTB found a screw about 1 inch from the sidewall, and told me it was too close to the edge to patch.

A Porsche dealer said they could plug it

Cost on both is comparable (around $30)

Advice/comments? From what I have seen/heard, patching is preferred, but is the location problematic?

Thanks

1999Porsche911

Plug and Patch.

winovin

Eh? It seems like these repair places do one or the other - e.g. NTB only patches

1999Porsche911

Look for a local tire dealer that does both. Many of the small tire shops that also do auto repair may do both. Several in my area do. Or plug it yourself and bring it to the shop that will patch it. When the tire is removed, all they have to do is cut the plug flush and patch over it. Are these the orginal tires?

winovin

Yes they are the original Michelin Pilot Sport N1 - I asked the dealer, but they said that road object damage is not covered under warranty

rbcsaver

Plug and Patch, don't track.
regards,
Steve