[stugolf]

Hi guys I have an E46 330i M Sport on MV1's and the front drivers side tyre keeps going flat....it's driving me insane as I've done the following:

Had the tyre checked by 3 garages, all confirmed the does not have a puncture, they suspect it's the wheel and it needs cleaning and refurbing.

Had the wheels refurbed, they confirmed at the time the wheel also has no cracks, after it was done tyre still going down went back to the place and leak test done and it's coming from the tyre wheel area, re sealed and tested by refurbished all fine for a month

Then 2 days ago down to 15psi again , back to a tyre place incase it's an actual puncture, no, leaking from the same place!

Whats going on?

Any further help appreciated

[mistryn]

Are you using the same tyre? sometimes tyres tend to have hairline cracks which cant be seen or not warrant enough to see air leaking in a bath but over time lose air
wheel may be buckled slighltly causing the tyre not to bead fully?
not annoyed someone lately? maybe someone letting you air down over period of time?

[afalton]

Is the bead seat area on the tyre damaged?
You can only see this with the tyre off the rim
Hopes this helps
Good luck!

[stugolf]

Thanks for the responses guys

I haven't seen the wheel without the tyre off first hand but the refurber seen nothing wrong with the wheel when he had the tyre off and confirmed it could seen anything wrong with the actual tyre

I know where its leaking from so must be a problem with tyre/wheel combination but it really is baffling as to which it is! I could buy a wheel but would then have to get it refurbed and then possibly buy a tyre so could get quite expensive too seeing as I've only just refurbished these wheels!

[Icekube]

heres a thought:

mark the tyre and the wheel where the air is leaking. remove the tyre and rotate it so the mark on the tyre is on the opposite side of the wheel (180deg round from the wheel's mark) then refit. see if the leak moves with the tyre, in which case the tyre is goosed. if it stays where the wheel is marked, then its the wheel that's damaged.

[achu]

soak the whole wheel in soapy water with a sprayer, bubbles will form from escaping air... my bet is the tyre isn't beading properly...

[oldbilly]

pump it up to max pressure or more and let it down to the correct pressure, this will push and seat the bead onto the wheel rim.

[nicktyler]

I know you said you know where the tyre is leaking from but have you checked the valve is not leaking? It's the only thing that hasn't been mentioned and maybe it is that this time?

[ukbeemerboy]

Originally Posted by nicktyler

I know you said you know where the tyre is leaking from but have you checked the valve is not leaking? It's the only thing that hasn't been mentioned and maybe it is that this time?

As above, always check the valve. Common for air to leak if it's not tight....

[stugolf]

Thanks Guys

Will check this, next things to try:

Take the tyre off and properly inspect the wheel and tyre myself

Make sure the valve is nice and tight

Refit and put the pressure up and then back to normal

I'll let you know how I get on

[Infamy]

Up the air pressure & Put it in the tub and watch it like a hawk.