Flat tire today, mini flat kit in drink didn’t work.....?
09-28-2018, 09:28 PM
#1
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Flat tire today, mini flat kit in frunk didn’t work.....?
Previous owner put two of the kits with sealant and valve core removal tool etc for me in the drink when I bought the car. Had a nail flatten my tire and I caught it with a TPMS warning luckily while on the way to pick up my son from school. I limped it to his school and called a wrecker. in the interim I tried a sealant kit and the liquid would not flow into the valve after removing the core. Idk wtf the problem is but it struck me that a TPMS valve likely won’t let liquid through........but I’m not certain. Anyone use a sealant kit successfully on a TPMS valved wheel? Would a 19” tire make a difference? I got lucky and snagged a wrecker via my personal roadside assistance through USAA. $288 for the MPSS 235/35/19ZR 9Y and $50 install. Tire has to be ordered. There is also the off chance that tire can be patched. Yahweh willing.......
Last edited by ALEV8; 02-14-2020 at 01:53 PM.
09-29-2018, 11:39 AM
#3
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Forget about the sealant and add a plug kit instead, and learn to use it. I have the Dynaplug Pro Extreme in all my cars -
09-29-2018, 02:34 PM
#4
Rennlist Member
I changed the sealant (it was seven years old) after reading an advisory from Porsche, but see it as an emergency measure only, as it destroys the tire and you may end up being two, if the second is worn or old.
As for plug kits, I see them as a much better alternative to the sealer, but if possible, I would transport the car to a decent shop that will remove the tire and patch it from the inside, if the puncture is not on the side. I am assuming that the problem is a simple nail hole.
I have seen tires successfully patched after they were plugged, but I would not drive at high speed with just a tire plug. Just MHO.
As for plug kits, I see them as a much better alternative to the sealer, but if possible, I would transport the car to a decent shop that will remove the tire and patch it from the inside, if the puncture is not on the side. I am assuming that the problem is a simple nail hole.
I have seen tires successfully patched after they were plugged, but I would not drive at high speed with just a tire plug. Just MHO.
09-29-2018, 02:45 PM
#5
Three Wheelin'
Avoid using the sealant at all possible. That thing will never dry out and the tackiness stays on your wheels, tpms sensor, and will cause a balance issue if there is a thick glob of those sealants not evenly adhered to the wheels.
09-29-2018, 03:28 PM
#6
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I changed the sealant (it was seven years old) after reading an advisory from Porsche, but see it as an emergency measure only, as it destroys the tire and you may end up being two, if the second is worn or old.
As for plug kits, I see them as a much better alternative to the sealer, but if possible, I would transport the car to a decent shop that will remove the tire and patch it from the inside, if the puncture is not on the side. I am assuming that the problem is a simple nail hole.
I have seen tires successfully patched after they were plugged, but I would not drive at high speed with just a tire plug. Just MHO.
As for plug kits, I see them as a much better alternative to the sealer, but if possible, I would transport the car to a decent shop that will remove the tire and patch it from the inside, if the puncture is not on the side. I am assuming that the problem is a simple nail hole.
I have seen tires successfully patched after they were plugged, but I would not drive at high speed with just a tire plug. Just MHO.
09-29-2018, 10:05 PM
#7
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
2009 C2S 127K miles
I think plugs are fine. I have one in my rear tire right now for two months now and it holds air fine. Goo is crap. Plug it ... I did ... right on I80.
My most recent fix:
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...th-smitty.html
Another fix and story with pictures of the crappy Porsche goo:
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...p-goo-bad.html
The tire experts will say to plugs are temporary and to do a proper fix, you need to pull the tire and patch from the inside. Phooey. I live on the edge. Ain't dead yet. (Yea, I been drinkin'.)
Peace
Bruce in Philly
I think plugs are fine. I have one in my rear tire right now for two months now and it holds air fine. Goo is crap. Plug it ... I did ... right on I80.
My most recent fix:
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...th-smitty.html
Another fix and story with pictures of the crappy Porsche goo:
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...p-goo-bad.html
The tire experts will say to plugs are temporary and to do a proper fix, you need to pull the tire and patch from the inside. Phooey. I live on the edge. Ain't dead yet. (Yea, I been drinkin'.)
Peace
Bruce in Philly
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10-01-2018, 06:29 PM
#9
Racer
+1 Plug kit. While I try to take my car in to get any plugged tire patched, last time I drove probably 8,000+ miles on one before I got it into the shop. Then we noticed the inside edges were down to the threads, so I got new tires instead. My plug never leaked, nor caused any other sort of problem. I drove gingerly on it for about the first 1,000 miles, then I forgot about it. Nevertheless, I always intend to get a proper patch, and you should, too.
That said, I have plug kits in my C2S, my wife's Macan (it's waaaayy easier than trying to use her collapsible spare -- I can plug her tire in 5 minutes, and it takes 10+ just to get the jack and tire out, not to mention putting everything away again including a dirty flat tire), and all our company vehicles (except our big truck). If you have a knee pad and a rag to wipe your hands with, you don't even get dirty or sweaty plugging a tire. Should be taught in all driver's education classes.
That said, I have plug kits in my C2S, my wife's Macan (it's waaaayy easier than trying to use her collapsible spare -- I can plug her tire in 5 minutes, and it takes 10+ just to get the jack and tire out, not to mention putting everything away again including a dirty flat tire), and all our company vehicles (except our big truck). If you have a knee pad and a rag to wipe your hands with, you don't even get dirty or sweaty plugging a tire. Should be taught in all driver's education classes.
10-01-2018, 08:37 PM
#10
Rennlist Member
That said, I have plug kits in my C2S, my wife's Macan (it's waaaayy easier than trying to use her collapsible spare -- I can plug her tire in 5 minutes, and it takes 10+ just to get the jack and tire out, not to mention putting everything away again including a dirty flat tire), and all our company vehicles (except our big truck). If you have a knee pad and a rag to wipe your hands with, you don't even get dirty or sweaty plugging a tire. Should be taught in all driver's education classes.
11-07-2018, 09:09 PM
#11
Rennlist Member
Had a flat in the GTS (with centerlocks). It was raining hard and when the TPMS warning light came on the tire had instantly lost 10lbs and was losing a pound or so every 30 seconds. Luckily got off at the next exit and there was a truck stop, rolled in with about 18psi left. I could hear it leaking right when I opened the door and saw something white barely sticking out of the tire. Bought some pliers and a plug kit and went about trying to get it out. Took forever but finally got a white arrowhead-shaped rock out of the left rear. Plugged it, inflated with the Porsche inflator, and off we went. That was 3 days ago and it hasn't lost a pound yet. Good thing it has TPMS or I probably wouldn't have noticed until it was too late to make it to that exit.
11-07-2018, 09:13 PM
#12
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Had a flat in the GTS (with centerlocks). It was raining hard and when the TPMS warning light came on the tire had instantly lost 10lbs and was losing a pound or so every 30 seconds. Luckily got off at the next exit and there was a truck stop, rolled in with about 18psi left. I could hear it leaking right when I opened the door and saw something white barely sticking out of the tire. Bought some pliers and a plug kit and went about trying to get it out. Took forever but finally got a white arrowhead-shaped rock out of the left rear. Plugged it, inflated with the Porsche inflator, and off we went. That was 3 days ago and it hasn't lost a pound yet. Good thing it has TPMS or I probably wouldn't have noticed until it was too late to make it to that exit.
Peace
Bruce in Philly
11-07-2018, 09:19 PM
#13
Rennlist Member
11-07-2018, 10:24 PM
#14
Racer
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Luzerne county, Pennsylvania
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Having just been certified to fix tires I would say plugs should only be used to get you to where the tire can be replaced or repaired. The fact that plugs can last for periods of time doesn’t make them safe. No one would consider using a plug on the track. If you’re driving your car fast why take the chanc. Penny wise pound foolish. Patches properly done can work and be safe. Of course it depends if the person doing the patch follows all the steps and doesn’t cut steps.
11-08-2018, 06:21 PM
#15
Having just been certified to fix tires I would say plugs should only be used to get you to where the tire can be replaced or repaired. The fact that plugs can last for periods of time doesn’t make them safe. No one would consider using a plug on the track. If you’re driving your car fast why take the chanc. Penny wise pound foolish. Patches properly done can work and be safe. Of course it depends if the person doing the patch follows all the steps and doesn’t cut steps.