Run flat repairs?

GazHyde

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Hi all,

Just noticed my drivers rear tyre keeps going down, so no doubt got a puncture. When it stops raining I'm going to go and have a look and see if I can see anything poking out of the tyre or not.

Is it possible to get runflats repaired, or am I going to have to get it replaced. There seems to be so much conflicting advice on the web about this.

It would also seems sensible with the cost of runflats to investigate whether I can use Ultraseal//Puncturesafe on them as well.

I had assumed the tyre pressure monitor would have told me, but it appears I didn't read the manual correctly :ymblushing:
 

Jonttt

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In my experience (with a lot of BMW's) now run flats are prone to loosing pressure without a puncture over time. A puncture and hence relatively rapid loss of pressure will set the warnings off but the gradual loss over time will only set the alarm off when c50% of pressure has been lost. As these are run flats it's hard to visually check this gradual loss.

So the moral is to check run flat pressures more regularly.

I've just done a run 200 mile motorway run and stayed overnight. Within a mile of setting off back the alarm came on. A stop at next services revealed one tyre at 50% one at 75% and the other 2 90%. One week later and they are all still spot on so no puncture.

Always seems to happen the day after a long motorway run that the alarm goes off.

Happens infrequently but I've long held the belief run flats are more prone to loosing pressure over time.

If it is a puncture the larger chains tend to have a policy of non repair. Mines a company car so I just get new ones but I have mates who get them repaired so long as its the centre third of the tread. You can also get almost new part worn for a fraction of the cost of new but depends on your location if you have anyone close who specialises in these..
 

Titan

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I always understood that run flat tyres were not repairable. However when I had my Falkens fitted a couple of weeks ago, my local tyre centre had a poster declaring each brand manufacturer's recommendations.
Some were "replace" only others had an option to repair.
As BMW don't make tyres I'd suggest you check with the specific manufacturer of your tyres.
HTH


Z3nt from m'iPhone on Tapatalk
 

Frank.A

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A tyre removal and re-seal at your local depot may be worth while.Usually cost around £10+.
 

GazHyde

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I guess it was my naivity that made me think the tyre pressure warning would actually tell me. Will be back to checking them manually every week again.

A trip to my local tyre centre tomorrow is in order. Hopefully hasn't ruined the tyre as I don't know how long I've been driving on it with low pressure.

There is a good chance I have a snapped spring on the cruise I went on a few weeks ago, so they can have a look at those too - oh joy :(
 

Jonttt

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I thought a snapped spring was a Z4 right of passage as you've never really owned one until a spring has broken lol
 

TitanTim

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Gaz, runflats can be repaired so long as its along the centre part of the tread and not the sidewall, alot of tyre fitters/repairers will say it can't as they are simply unsure. Just make sure the tyres inner sidewall is inspected to ensure no damage.

Tim.
 

GazHyde

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TitanTim said:
Gaz, runflats can be repaired so long as its along the centre part of the tread and not the sidewall, alot of tyre fitters/repairers will say it can't as they are simply unsure. Just make sure the tyres inner sidewall is inspected to ensure no damage.

Tim.
Thanks Tim thats useful to know. What of course I don't know is how long I have run them flat. :coolsteer)
 

Jonttt

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I've ran punctured runflats from Ediinburgh to London (at 80 on the motorway as I got bored) and when removed there was no sign of damage but I had a new wheel put on anyway as company car. (it was done at a kwik fit and they won't repair runflats anyway).

Despite all the downsides of ride quality etc... give them their due they do what they say on the tin.

If you had a full puncture your warning should have come on soon after, if its lost air over time and set it off its probably OK to repair if possible as in my experience they are more than fine with 50% pressure.

I tried to run a punctured normal tyre on the hardshoulder of the M62 once as it was raining and I did not fancy getting wet and it disintegrated when they took it off. I had to pull over after about 2 miles and get mercedes assist out as it was coming off the rim (mind you it was a heavy car and stupid I know but companies cars have some perks lol)
 

GazHyde

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Thanks to "the law of sod" I've found out that the drivers front is losing pressure as well. :-o

Must have driven over something that didn't stick in the front tyre
 
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