I have a leak in my back right tire. Do I patch it myself or take it in? ?

Question

Is it expensive or do you think I should get another used tire?

Answer 1

If the tread is still good and the sidewall not damaged then buy a tire plugging kit and follow instructions.

They only cost about 6 bucks and work well

Answer 2

You can buy a plug kit at Wal Mart. This would be the cheapest route. It's consider a temporary repair. If you take it in and get it patched from the inside you're looking about $20 but it's a permanent repair. If the tire is old or doesn't have a lot of tread you're better of buying a new tire.  

Answer 3

You might be able to install a plug, but I doubt that you can take the tire off the wheel yourself to really patch it.  It will only cost $5-$10 to have it fixed.  If the tire is in really bad shape , then a used tire might be worthwhile.  Try to get one that matches the other 3.

Answer 4

Depends on why it's leaking. If it's leaking where the tire mounts on the rim, you have to have the tire taken off. If it's an Aluminum rim, the rim might need to be replaced. If it's sidewall damage to the tire, the tire would have to be replaced. If it's the valve stem that's leaking, the tire would have to be partially dismounted to replace that. If it's the valve core is the easiest of all to fix. Just unscrew it, and put a new one in. Most tires just have a nail in them, and that's easy to fix with a cheap kit if you know how. I outlined how to do this just the other day.

You'll need a tire plug kit, like this;

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41...

along with a needle-nosed pliers, a tire gauge, a single edge razor blade, and a source of compressed air to fill the tire.

Whether you know where the nail or whatever is or not, the first thing to do is get a plug out and put it in the insertion tool. Put one end through the eye, and pull it halfway through. Then fill the tire with air, even if you know where the nail is. If not, then roll the tire around slowly and listen for the leak, while looking for something that could cause it. If you do know where it is, or you find it, put the rubber cement on the plug, coating it entirely. Now grab the needle-nose pliers and pull it out, and jam the reamer in and push it in and out several times. Then grab the insertion tool, and put it through the hole, leaving just a little of the plug sticking out. Go ahead and pull the insertion tool out, and the plug will stay where you put it. Use the razor blade to trim of the excess down to tread level. Air up the tire to what it says on your tire placard, usually located in the door jamb. If the tire is still on the car, you're set to go.

Once you get used to doing this quickly, you can actually do it with the tire on the car. The air pressure being full when you start not only keeps it from going all the way flat while you're doing it, but also makes it easier to insert the tools, and if it's glass that made it go flat, blows out any splinters. Safety glasses are also a good idea if that's the case. The needle nose comes in handy for glass, or if the nail is really tiny, or has the head worn off. Just push each tip in on each side of the hole for glass, or push the tread in on each side until you can grab the nail with no head. Oh, and don't buy the kit with the screwdriver type handles. The T-handle gives you a lot more leverage.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 5

Are you capable of finding the leak, breaking down the tire, removing the foreign object that made the hole if it's still there, patching the tire, balancing it and remounting it?  If so, you do it.  If not, take it in.

Answer 6

Take it in. Those plug kits aren't reliable. Let a pro do this cause your life may depend on it.