Random flat tire / tyre ?

[lr172]

Originally Posted by Feetwet

I have had a similar problem with tires with a tube in them. What I think happens is the tire itself retains some air in it while the tube is filled, and that air balances with the pressure in the tube at 25-30 psi. Then after a couple days, the air that was left in the tire leaks out leaving only the air in the tube and a partial flat. When this occurred I refilled the tube to the 25-30 psi, and it was fine after that.

A tire installed on a traditional aviation wheel can't hold any air. The seam in the split wheel prevents any compressed air from being retained, not to mention the unsealed hole for the stem.

Larry

[humptybump]

Originally Posted by lr172

Whatever it was is likely to happen again, so either identify the issue or replace the tube

I mostly agree. However, replacing the tube without identifying the issue still has the potential to repeat.

I won't have 100% confidence unless I know the cause and address it specifically.

[Vlad]

I had a bad batch of fancy tubes several years ago they both went flat within a month. There were multiple micro cracks found along the bigger circle.

[catmandu]

That's what you get for teaching Nick how to use a valve stem tool, and then leaving him in Doggie Daycare too long.

[Feetwet]

Originally Posted by lr172

A tire installed on a traditional aviation wheel can't hold any air. The seam in the split wheel prevents any compressed air from being retained, not to mention the unsealed hole for the stem.

Larry

And if the tube fills from inside to out, temporarily sealing against the tire and not allowing the air trapped access to the split rim? I have learned that cannot happen are not a words to use in aviation maintenance.

[Jetmart]

Originally Posted by Feetwet

I have had a similar problem with tires with a tube in them. What I think happens is the tire itself retains some air in it while the tube is filled, and that air balances with the pressure in the tube at 25-30 psi. Then after a couple days, the air that was left in the tire leaks out leaving only the air in the tube and a partial flat. When this occurred I refilled the tube to the 25-30 psi, and it was fine after that.

I definitely had this issue in a non-split aviation rim. Tube and tire was installed by a professional tire shop and they filled the tire with air. Correct air pressure but somehow there was air trapped between the outside of the tube and the rim. By the next day tire was 1/2 full of air. Refilled it and it has ben fine since.

[vlittle]

I posted this years ago on VAF, so it is somewhere in the archives:

When I installed my tubes/tires on my 9A, I used plenty of talcum powder and was careful to follow the staged inflation recommendations.

What I did NOT do was to remove the smal paper part number labels stuck onto the inside of the tires.

These labels cause abrasive wear on the tubes and pinhole leaks. Probably less than 100 takeoffs/landings in service. I have photos somewhere in a dusty corner of my backup files.

V

[Ralph Inkster]

Ran into only one instance where low inflation actually tore the stem away from the tube body, the stem was at an angle sticking out the rim.
Years ago ran into repeated instances where nose tires would go flat, some tubes had multiple side wall leaks, eventually realized inside of tire was wearing into the tube because of rough manufacturing 'nubs' inside the tires. I dremmeled them smooth and problem didn't come back. I always check for moulding defects inside tires now before mounting.
I sprinkle only enough talc to cover inside of tire & tube, I ran into one tire with enough talc in it that it turned to grinding compound paste & resulted in multiple visible wear spots on the tubes.
I advise new tubes used anytime tires are changed or rotated.

[gf30269]

We had two issues:

1. Underinflation. Allows the inner tube to rub against the tire, eventually causing a leak. We use 42 psi.

2. Bad valve stems. New inner tubes. Came from the manufacturer that way.

Good luck!

[AaronG]

If it were me, I would replace the tube before you fly again. Having a flat with the plane in motion can cause lots of wheel fairing damage (I know from experience), and is harder to replace than in your hangar. There is no such thing as an isolated random occurrence for something like this. There is a defect in the tube and it will happen again. How hard will you be kicking yourself when it happens and you damage the plane?