Very slow tire leak, what's going on? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Jim B. · #1 12-04-2006, 11:01 AM

My coupe has had aftermarket "no name" chrome wheels on it since I got it ten years ago that the MB independent mechanic in Los Angeles who'd worked on it said he thought were Lorinser wheels (but they are only sincere imitations)

For the past 3 or 4 years, I haven't used the car very much, and the right rear tire has always lost a little air if it sat for extended periods, and lately I have used the car even less than usual, and the tire became almost flat, and I would pump it up at the gas station. This became a bimonthly ritual, more or less.

About two months ago, I simply bought four brand new Yokohama 225x50x16 tires, had them mounted and balanced, and the car was fine. However since then, I have only driven about 300 miles, almost all in town, and the last week the tire started to lose air again, now the tire is completely flat.
It is almost new, the tires still have the yellow markings on the treads.

Anybody have an idea, absent a nail, about what is causing this? The rims are in good condition, but they do have curb rash from their San Francisco days, could there be a tiny burr somewhere on the rim that pierced the tire somehow? If something like this has happened, can the rim be repaired or replated or anything?

A month before I replaced the tires on the Mercedes, I also bought a set of new tires for the '95 Subaru Outback wagon, and then with about 200 miles on those new tires, the VERY same problem occurred with one of the rear tires, and I took that car back in to the tire stop, and they said the valve stem appeared to have been faulty, they replaced it and the problem went away, could this be the same thing with the Mercedes?

Any opinions would be welcomed, I'd really like to get the Mercedes out on the highway for some exercise!

MattBelliveau · #2 12-04-2006, 11:06 AM

Have you had the tires remounted? You may want to try that. You post suggests that these rims are used. Warped rims will may cause the symtoms you are experiencing.

manny · #3 12-04-2006, 11:10 AM

Have someone inflate the tire to about 50 psi & then submerge the whole thing in a barrel of water.
Should be able to spot the leak.
Maybe something as simple as a valvestem.
You should always install new stems with new tires.
I wouldn't be surprised if the rim ( given the age ) is porous.

Peter Guenther · #4 12-04-2006, 11:46 AM

Aluminum rims pit, so can Chrome. there is a spray they can put on the wheels, it could be valve stems, someone could have damaged the tire bead. I was at mb and they took a wire brush and cleaned the wheel all the way around and put that stuff on

POS · #5 12-04-2006, 01:43 PM

Could be a valve stem leaking too.

t walgamuth · #6 12-04-2006, 09:27 PM

i always check the valve stem with spit whenever i find i am losing air. about 2 of 3 times it is a loose valve in the stem. remove it spit on it and screw it back in snugly.

of course if there is a nail or screw in the tire this wont help!

tom w

cdplayer · #7 12-04-2006, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

My coupe has had aftermarket "no name" chrome wheels on it since I got it ten years ago that the MB independent mechanic in Los Angeles who'd worked on it said he thought were Lorinser wheels (but they are only sincere imitations)

For the past 3 or 4 years, I haven't used the car very much, and the right rear tire has always lost a little air if it sat for extended periods, and lately I have used the car even less than usual, and the tire became almost flat, and I would pump it up at the gas station. This became a bimonthly ritual, more or less.

About two months ago, I simply bought four brand new Yokohama 225x50x16 tires, had them mounted and balanced, and the car was fine. However since then, I have only driven about 300 miles, almost all in town, and the last week the tire started to lose air again, now the tire is completely flat.
It is almost new, the tires still have the yellow markings on the treads.

Anybody have an idea, absent a nail, about what is causing this? The rims are in good condition, but they do have curb rash from their San Francisco days, could there be a tiny burr somewhere on the rim that pierced the tire somehow? If something like this has happened, can the rim be repaired or replated or anything?

A month before I replaced the tires on the Mercedes, I also bought a set of new tires for the '95 Subaru Outback wagon, and then with about 200 miles on those new tires, the VERY same problem occurred with one of the rear tires, and I took that car back in to the tire stop, and they said the valve stem appeared to have been faulty, they replaced it and the problem went away, could this be the same thing with the Mercedes?

Any opinions would be welcomed, I'd really like to get the Mercedes out on the highway for some exercise!

I had a similar stubborn leak once. Discovered the bead on the tires were not forming a tight seal. With your tire at recommended pressure, spray soapy water all around where the tire meets the wheel. It was here that I noticed bubbles of air seeping out. The tire shop told me my wheel was out of round. Possibly from hitting a curb or big pothole.

lkchris · #8 12-05-2006, 06:31 PM

Chrome plating of wheels and air leaks go hand in hand.

twr · #9 12-10-2006, 07:24 PM

I had a similar problem with the C280 with aluminum Chrome plated wheels after a lot of “tests” and rim bead brushing I discover that white oxidation of the aluminum under the chrome was the cause for the small leak ,I ended replacing the wheel it was beyond repair

My $0.02 cents