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  #11  
Old 05-11-2015, 10:17 PM
Arvey Fleur's Avatar
Arvey Fleur Arvey Fleur is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Sacramento, CA
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Default Use Michelin Airstops

Is that a Michelin Airstop or the cheapo tube from Van's?

I originally had the cheapo tube from Van's and it failed at the seam just sitting in the hangar - which to me is unacceptable.

The Michelin Airstops are much better made, I think they are extruded with one overlapped seam - no "butt" joints. Anyway they hold up really well and hold air for like, forever.
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  #12  
Old 05-12-2015, 05:18 AM
novipilot novipilot is offline
 
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Location: Novi, MI & Venice, FL
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The tube should have been removed a couple of years ago and thrown away if it is "at least 8 years old" as you stated. Rubber is a highly complex chemical, and is affected by oxygen aging. That is why the auto companies now recommend that all tires that are 6 years old be discarded, even if it is the spare that has never been used but just sat under the frame ageing away.

In our club we used to change the tube at every tire change. Cheap insurance to keep from pulling into the ditch next to the runway.
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  #13  
Old 05-12-2015, 06:52 AM
krw5927 krw5927 is offline
 
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Location: Wichita, KS
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Quote:
Originally Posted by novipilot View Post
That is why the auto companies now recommend that all tires that are 6 years old be discarded, even if it is the spare that has never been used but just sat under the frame ageing away.
I'm sure it has nothing to do with wanting to sell more tires
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  #14  
Old 05-12-2015, 07:23 AM
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by DanH View Post
Mark, Don, inflation pressures?
I run in the mid 30's. Pressures have stayed up - no slow leak down.

Quote:
Is that a Michelin Airstop or the cheapo tube from Van's?
I believe it is the cheapo variety

Quote:
The tube should have been removed a couple of years ago and thrown away if it is "at least 8 years old" as you stated.
Yeah, I was wondering about this. I should probably change out the other one as well.
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  #15  
Old 05-12-2015, 07:49 AM
Tom Martin Tom Martin is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Ontario, Canada
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Mark
I run the Michelin Air-stop tubes. These have 850 hours on this set since 2006.
I use around 45 lbs of air pressure for the Rocket.
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  #16  
Old 05-12-2015, 09:02 AM
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RV8Squaz RV8Squaz is offline
 
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Location: Senoia, Georgia
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I had a flat at Triple Tree in January during the Chilly Chili. My LeakGuard tube was only about 3 years old, had about 375 hours flying time, drowned in talc, and the pressure was just under 40psi (about 37-38 psi). I had inflated both tires a few weeks earlier to 40psi. Historically they both leaked down about the same rate. After the incident the other tire's pressure was 37-38 psi, measured with two different gages. The tube showed a rub mark and a small pinhole toward the top of the tire opposite the valve. Nothing inside the tire itself. I don't have an explanation for how this tube failed.

All I know is that the original AirHawk tires and tubes from Specialty lasted almost 5 years and 600 hours. I may go back to that this next time around.

Jerry Esquenazi
RV-8 N84JE
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  #17  
Old 05-12-2015, 09:31 AM
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DanH DanH is offline
 
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We've had this discussion before, but...

Empirical evidence suggests the incidence of tube failures goes down with increased pressure. Tires deform under landing and maneuver loads far more than most operators realize. Lower pressure increases deformation. Lots of deformation means lots of relative movement between tire, tube, and wheel.
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  #18  
Old 05-12-2015, 10:04 AM
redbaron redbaron is offline
 
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This can be caused by lack of using babby powder.
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  #19  
Old 05-12-2015, 11:37 AM
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F1Boss F1Boss is offline
 
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Default More pressure, baby!

Hey Mark:

Try keeping about 45psi in the tires from now on....

So sayeth the Boss!

Carry on!
Mark
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  #20  
Old 05-12-2015, 12:49 PM
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daddyman daddyman is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Posts: 288
Default Used motorcycle green goop

Quote:
Originally Posted by flyboy1963 View Post
Mark, hope you had no other damage or grief.
...hmmm....making tubes for 100 years or so, and that's the best they can do? for a $80 aircraft tube?

perhaps send the photo to Goodyear or Michelin, Desser, and see what their techs say...apparently a common problem, we all need to know how to avoid it. (could easily have written off a 1/4 million dollar aircraft!)

not that it would solve this, but for the persistent nosewheel issues, balance, etc. does anyone use the green snot that many motorcycle riders put in their tubes? ( puncture seal, leak stop and balancer are all claims, or uses, for this gunk. I used it on all my motorcycles with no ill effect)
The stuff I used was purchased at a local motorcycle shop. I loved it when I rode. It helps balance while eliminating small puncture leaks. I used Ride-On brand TPS- P/N 531700.
It reduced, but did not eliminate a nagging slow leak (about 2 psi/wk).
I would use it again.
when I replaced the tubes during conditional inspection, I did not add it again, and the new tubes work great.

Daddyman
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