Slow Air Leak - but not a puncture?

[Ducatian]

One wheel on our Fiat Ducato based Motorhome is suffering from a slow leak, approx. 6psi per month. All other wheels loose maybe 1psi over the same time.
A local garage checked for leaks and replaced the valve stem, but the leak continued.

Recently we had new tyres and valve stems fitted all-round. The same wheel has the same problem, so am now suspecting a rim or crack issue.
Not having much luck finding a specialist in the Somerset / Dorset / Wilts. area outside of the usual puncture repairers.
Anyone any experience / recommendations please?

 

[The Coops]

Alloy wheels? They do get porous, powder coating cures it

 

[gus-lopez]

or it is leaking around the beading?

 

[Andy MacD]

Pump it up to the max pressure and then spray with a solution of water and washing up liquid. You may then see where the leak is.

I had the same and it was the metal valve. Original one the internal seal had perished. When replaced the fitter hadn’t cleaned the inside of the wheel properly and hadnot fully tightened the new metal valve.

Since I was able t9 demonstrate the issue they fixed it and no more problems.

 

[Jofang]

When new tyres are fitted it's essential to clean the wheel bead. I had a slow leak problem when new tyres were fitted to an Audi I had. The offending tyre was removed and the rim bead was cleaned with a soft, rotary wire brush, tyre re-fitted, problem solved.

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[Speve]

Ducatian This company are very good I had my diamond cut alloys repaired there earlier this year.

Marquise Alloys | Diamond Cut & Painted Alloy Wheel Repairs in Salisbury, Wiltshire

Specialists in diamond cut and painted alloy wheel repairs. Also supplying and fitting tyres for all cars and 4x4s in the Salisbury, Wiltshire area.

www.marquisealloys.co.uk

 

[Brains]

It's the wheel that will have the leak.
It will be difficult to find.
If there is rust on the inside there is no point in trying to repair it, you need a new wheel.

A short term solution is to use bathroom sealant inside the wheel, it will block any small leaks where the inner and outer steel sections are joined.

As others have said the other more likely place is the bead around the edge, where it may be polished out.
But my personal experience is all these are short term fixes. In the longer term you need a new wheel.

 

[Sue and Rick]

My daughters van had a leak on one wheel. It was coming from where the pieces where pressed together. Only found when submersing the whole wheel. Movano van

 

[dosser]

We had a leak at the valve hole the alloy was corroding there. Had the wheel refurbished and it has been ok since.

 

[Ducatian]

Ducatian This company are very good I had my diamond cut alloys repaired there earlier this year.

Marquise Alloys | Diamond Cut & Painted Alloy Wheel Repairs in Salisbury, Wiltshire

Specialists in diamond cut and painted alloy wheel repairs. Also supplying and fitting tyres for all cars and 4x4s in the Salisbury, Wiltshire area.

www.marquisealloys.co.uk

Got the wheel booking in with these guys to take a look at the rim and valve seating.
Thanks for the recommendation.

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[Speve]

Got the wheel booking in with these guys to take a look at the rim and valve seating.
Thanks for the recommendation.

You are very welcome they are very good I don’t think you’ll regret using them

 

[dosser]

Got the wheel booking in with these guys to take a look at the rim and valve seating.
Thanks for the recommendation.

Meant to add had another alloy do the same on a previous motorhome but it was a crack. Tried to have it welded but in the end a new wheel had to be purchased.
Hopefully a refurb will sort it out like on our current van.

 

[littlehouse]

Meant to add had another alloy do the same on a previous motorhome but it was a crack. Tried to have it welded but in the end a new wheel had to be purchased.
Hopefully a refurb will sort it out like on our current van.

Put an inner tube in. Old fashioned, but works every time 100%
PS I'm 79, so I KNOW things