Slow puncture?

[TheGreatEscape]

Tiyre warning light came on a couple of weeks ago. I checked pressure and one of the tyres was dwn to 24psi (from 32). I refilled it, reset the monitor and didn't think about it anymore because the warning light didn't light up again./

Checked the pressures again today and the same tyre is down to 32psi. Have done about 300 miles since last check. I have 17in Cooper S wheels with Pirelli run-flats.

Advice please? Slow puncture? If yes, can it be repaired? If I've done 300+ miles on it and a puncture is present, will I have damaged the rim? I know the manual states that you should only drive a 150 or so miles @ <50mph.

Thanks.

[dansmini]

Quote: Originally Posted by TheGreatEscape

Tiyre warning light came on a couple of weeks ago. I checked pressure and one of the tyres was dwn to 24psi (from 32). I refilled it, reset the monitor and didn't think about it anymore because the warning light didn't light up again./

Checked the pressures again today and the same tyre is down to 32psi. Have done about 300 miles since last check. I have 17in Cooper S wheels with Pirelli run-flats.

Advice please? Slow puncture? If yes, can it be repaired? If I've done 300+ miles on it and a puncture is present, will I have damaged the rim? I know the manual states that you should only drive a 150 or so miles @ <50mph.

Thanks.

Sounds like you do have a slow leak. Here's what I would do:

Take a soapy water mixture and slowly coat the tire with it. You may see bubbles where the air is leaking. This may be easier if you remove the wheel from the car. Remember that the leak is most likely (and hopefully) in the treaded area of the tire. Once you locate the leak, if it is in the treaded area, you can (at least here in the US) buy a plug kit. You will feel a bit uneasy because the reaming tool you will use will make the hole much bigger, but the plug kits do WORK! I have used them several times without fail. If you find that the leak is on the sidewall, you may still be able to patch it, but you can noy plug it. About damaging the rim: You will NOT damage the rim just because you have a puncture. As long as you have some decent tire pressure (and you do), no harm done. You probably would not damage the rim unless the tyre pressure was extremely low (10 lbs or less?) for a long time.