Loss of tyre pressure

Joined
5 Apr 2024
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
Country
United Kingdom
Hi, I bought a used troc tdi 2019 from a main dealer three weeks ago - 19 inch alloys. On the long motorway drive home, tyre pressure light came on. Checked and it was 12 psi and reinflated. Took the car to a tyre shop, no leak found. Resealed and new valve. Couple of days later, again tyre pressure light. Dropped to 31 - from 35. And again a few days later. Dealer paid for a new tyre but again they weren’t able to find a leak in the tyre fitters. One week later, again, tyre pressure warning light again and the pressure dropped to 31. I’ve had the wheel into a wheel specialist today and they can’t find a leak or issue with the alloy - they’ve had it in a water bath and put 60psi in. Main dealers want proof of a leak before they’re prepared to replace the alloy. Could this be something else or a mechanical issue causing a loss of pressure on that rear left? Where do I stand with this main dealer given I’ve only had the car three weeks and they know it’s been sold this way to me. It’s becoming very frustrating, it seems that the light tends to come on on long motor way drives, making me think the heat possibly is making it expand and leak and maybe why they can’t find it in the tyre/wheel shops. Thanks for any insight and help :)
 
If the air isn't on the inside, it must be on the outside.
That means you have a leak.
You need someone with a lot of patience to sit and watch it while it is in the bath of water.
 
I will start this by saying I am not a Tyre fitter or mechanic.

Stivino is 100% correct.

If a new Tyre has been fitted its is very unlikely that the Tyre is at fault. This leaves the alloy. Excluding the obvious cracks etc that would be visible straight away.

2 places they leak

1. Valve port through corrosion. Not likely and should be evident quite quickly.
2. rim seal. This is most likely and maybe could be fixed by cleaning the inside rim so the Tyre seats properly.

Bottom line is its not up to you to find the cause that is down to the supplying dealer. Its their problem to diagnose and fix.

Given this write to the dealer principle / company secretary outlining you problems and invite them to meet their responsibilities. Even if they swerve you then have a record of trying with them. If they are members of a federation or 'good garage schemer' copy them in as well.
 
You'll never find a slow puncture in a water bath. Make up a solution approx 20/1 of water and washing up liquid. Lay the wheel on the ground and soak it. Sit and wait - could be up to 5 minutes. What you are looking for is not bubbles but a patch of foam. If nothing after 5-10 minutes, flip the wheel over and check the other side. If you've already had a new tyre fitted, you will be looking for foam/froth around the bead, the valve hole or a hairline crack in the alloy. Be patient and you will find it.
 
They did say to me at the wheel specialists that it’s been refurbed - looks like twice already. They’re diamond cut so they informed me they couldn’t be refurbed again because they’re too close to the edge
 
Hint that you'll reject the car perhaps? I can't say I know the ins and outs of rejecting a car law but I'd hazard they'd be a bit more open to replacing the wheel.
 
Pay great attention to the area where the valve passes through the alloy wheel.
Tyre fitters should apply sealant to the valve but they rarely do.
I use an aerosol gas leak detector spray which shows up leaks where water doesn’t.
John
 
I will start this by saying I am not a Tyre fitter or mechanic.

Stivino is 100% correct.

If a new Tyre has been fitted its is very unlikely that the Tyre is at fault. This leaves the alloy. Excluding the obvious cracks etc that would be visible straight away.

2 places they leak

1. Valve port through corrosion. Not likely and should be evident quite quickly.
2. rim seal. This is most likely and maybe could be fixed by cleaning the inside rim so the Tyre seats properly.

Bottom line is its not up to you to find the cause that is down to the supplying dealer. Its their problem to diagnose and fix.

Given this write to the dealer principle / company secretary outlining you problems and invite them to meet their responsibilities. Even if they swerve you then have a record of trying with them. If they are members of a federation or 'good garage schemer' copy them in as well.
The bit in bold is correct .

It's not your problem. Its theirs.

Suggest if they can't fix it, then the car isn't fit for use. In writing ideally.
 
You'll never find a slow puncture in a water bath. Make up a solution approx 20/1 of water and washing up liquid. Lay the wheel on the ground and soak it. Sit and wait - could be up to 5 minutes. What you are looking for is not bubbles but a patch of foam. If nothing after 5-10 minutes, flip the wheel over and check the other side. If you've already had a new tyre fitted, you will be looking for foam/froth around the bead, the valve hole or a hairline crack in the alloy. Be patient and you will find it.
I agree, your way is better. Thanks for typing it up for me ;)
 
I agree, your way is better. Thanks for typing it up for me ;)
My nephew had a slow puncture on a BMW that tyre shops couldn’t find. I soaked it and found a 5” hairline crack on the inside of the rim!
 
My nephew had a slow puncture on a BMW that tyre shops couldn’t find. I soaked it and found a 5” hairline crack on the inside of the rim!
They don't look properly.
If the tyre is going down, it has to be leaking. But they don't have the patience to keep looking until they find it.
 
I’ve put everything into writing and emailed the dealer as I’ve been dealing with them over the phone mainly. Do you think it would be worth swapping the rear wheel, I’m going for a long drive today so that would confirm if it is infact the wheel itself or something else?
 
If it can’t be anything else, why won’t they just order an alloy! The tyre has been replaced… so it’s not that
 
Back
Top