As the wheel turns

[Mad1]

Let's skip to the end of this story ... I'm driving around with an air compressor in my front passenger footwell.

Ah, but why would I do that? There in lies a tale.

The wife and I were sans kid and grandkid this past weekend and so we decided to go out on a dinner date and catch that new James Bond flick. (Best Bond ever IMHO! He don't need those stinkin' gadgets to kill people.)

After the movie, we rolled through an industrial neighborhood (wife's idea of a shortcut) to drop in on my office and grab some material from Operations so I could get ready for a colonoscopy from a local newspaper reporter Monday morning that was looking for "waste" in state take-home vehicles. (Our agency has 34 unmarked response vehicles and at least one of our guys has a pretty long commute daily in his state vehicle -- averages around 6,000 miles a month on his odometer.)

After we make the first curve through this deserted industrial park ... My right front tire goes flat. I mean right down to the rim riddin' on the tire and chewing it up. Ok. That's a problem, but easily solved with a little elbow grease. Out comes the jack, full-size spare and we're in back in business just like I'd been practicing for pit-crew at Daytona.

The real shock comes Sunday morning when I find the spare tire is now completely flat. :censor:

I pumped the spare back up ... pulled it off and found no leaks with the old soap spray trick. It's holding air for the moment, so I put it back on and I plan to drive in today to get a pair of new front tires.

My question to you all, what should I do about the spare tire? Why would it go flat like that and should I get a "replacement" for it ... even if it is holding air now? :help:

Jeremy
Mad1

[Steve_NC]

Check the bead of the tire for small stone chips or other schmutz that might cause a slow leak to happen. It is also possible that the bead is weak or broken causing a slow leak. I have also seen a steel rim tire leak at the weld seem, but that should not be the case on the full size spare. The only way to remove all doubt is to replace the tire. I would keep the pump with me and give the tire a second chance, but that is just me I am cheep :) oh yea and hope all goes well with the colonoscopy

[BLACKMARAUDER04]

Possible leak in valve stem. Only way to make sure is to replace the stem. I had that problem in my Continental.

[fastblackmerc]

Maybe a leaking valve core?

[RoyLPita]

When was the last time that the air pressure in the spare was checked? If it was recently, then yes, I would agree on a fulty valve stem/ core. If not at all, then it does happen.

[SID210SA]

Maybe a prankster in the neighborhood? :dunno:

[Haggis]

Maybe a prankster in the neighborhood? :dunno:

Not me, I never been to Tenn. :D