I have a slow leak in my baby bushwheel for a cessna 185 which is normally run at 16 psi. The tire will go flat in about 7 days.

The tire is new and probably has less than 25 hours on it. It has been leaking from the start.

I have changed out the valve stem.

I will probably be pulling off the tire to inspect for the defect, but I'm wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem? Where is the most likely source in this tubeless tire?

Before you take things apart, you might try mixing a few drops of dish washing soap (Dawn works well) with half a spray bottle of water. Shake it up, spray all over and look for bubbles. It it's leaking on the inner, wheel mating, surfaces, it'll likely as not bubble at the wheel rim or if not there, then at the axle/bearing. Though I wouldn't make a practice of hosing down the axle bearing area, a couple of squirts of soap solution won't hurt anything.

If it's an internal surface defect, I'd try to get AKB to make good on it. If it's tread damage, even though they recommend against it, I'd be sorely tempted to use a tire plug. They sure work well on my tractor tubeless tires . . . beats taking the wheel off the rim to do an internal patch - - something that's not doable on the AKB baby bushwheel anyway.

bumper

Stans notubes sealant

http://www.notubes.com/Sealant-C14.aspx

Wonderful. Thanks guys.

I had a similar issue some years ago, and it was resolved by valve core replacement. You said that you replaced it already, so it is likely not the issue. Hope you find the problem quickly.

I currently also have the exact same problem, changed valve core also and that didn't help. I've been meaning to search for the leak with soap and water. In the mean time I put an air compresser in the hanger.

[quote="soyAnarchisto"]Stans notubes sealant

http://www.notubes.com/Sealant-C14.aspx[/quote
Is that the stuff Bushwheel suggests? If it is, it works great.

Yes it is. Although since the acquisitions by Airframes Alaska - i don't see it in their online store any longer. But, you can get it at any bicycle shop - or order directly online.

I'd call ABW and get guidance on the amount to add - since it's a function of the inside surface area of the tire. Too much or too little is probably not good. Its added through the valve stem with the core removed.

Superdan00 wrote:I currently also have the exact same problem, changed valve core also and that didn't help. I've been meaning to search for the leak with soap and water. In the mean time I put an air compresser in the hanger.

I too have an air compressor in the hangar, and it works great to top off before I go flying. But when I'm out camping and my tire goes flat in the field, it isn't convenient.

soyAnarchisto wrote:Yes it is. Although since the acquisitions by Airframes Alaska - i don't see it in their online store any longer. But, you can get it at any bicycle shop - or order directly online.

I'd call ABW and get guidance on the amount to add - since it's a function of the inside surface area of the tire. Too much or too little is probably not good. Its added through the valve stem with the core removed.

I spoke with Airframes Alaska today. They told me that "tires are made of rubber and can leak". They recommend trying the Stans Notube and they do sell it. I called my local bicycle shop and they too have some so I will just run over there and pick it up. I was told to put about 1 ounce into the tire and to add more every so often because when it dries out, it stops working.

Airframes told me that if my tire is out of warranty, that they would give me a discount if I were to need a new tire.

When you go to the bike shop - look at these things and consider it for your kit:

Tubeless tire patch kit (this one is for motorcycles - bicycle kits are similar with smaller insertion tool):
http://www.jpcycles.com/product/246-061?source=mybuys&green=B33AA6D3-0E50-5AF8-B35A-253392ACF1E1

Sealant injector syringe:
http://www.jensonusa.com/!HyXog19l3LB7kWa7mZpABw!/Stans-NoTubes-Sealant-Injector-Syringe

And a good lightweight floor pump for your plane for emergencies - only 8oz:
http://www.topeak.com/products/Pumps/Road_49-54cm_framesize

I have no experience with the bicycle sealant, but everytime put new tires on anything other than the trucks, I put in Slime sealant. I'm a firm believer in the stuff after seeing it seal up my 4 wheeler tires on my beater quad that I leave back at our farm in Indiana. The tires are OEM on a suzuki eiger. Needless to say they are dry rotted like mad and were leaking out everywhere. I filled all 4 with slime (just a few ounce is all it takes) and haven't had to touch them since. Just another option for those who may not be able to find the Notubes in their area.

Follow up:

I put the Stan's Notube sealant into the tire.

The stuff works!

Tire is holding air and I am totally amazed and thrilled. I recommend this product.

Timberwolf wrote:I have no experience with the bicycle sealant, but everytime put new tires on anything other than the trucks, I put in Slime sealant. I'm a firm believer in the stuff after seeing it seal up my 4 wheeler tires on my beater quad that I leave back at our farm in Indiana. The tires are OEM on a suzuki eiger. Needless to say they are dry rotted like mad and were leaking out everywhere. I filled all 4 with slime (just a few ounce is all it takes) and haven't had to touch them since. Just another option for those who may not be able to find the Notubes in their area.

The problem with slime is it is water soluble; run through a puddle and the tire will start leaking anywhere the slime was sealing it. Without fail every time I ride my mountain bike through a puddle I get a flat because I run slime tubes that come with slime already in them and I have a puncture that the slime seals till it gets wet. Stan's no tubes is great stuff and it won't breakdown when you run through a puddle. I just wish Stan's made MTB tubes that came pre filled because it is a pain to get the stuff into the tubes with presta valves.

Speaking of filling the tubes, I just buy a big syringe from cal-ranch (or whatever your local farm and ranch store is). Removed the valve stem core, fill the syringe and squirt it into the tube/tire.

Stan's makes a syringe with a Schraeder attachment and it even doubles as a cheapo valve core removal tool

We have a lot of goatheads out in the desert and I always have Stans Sealant in my 29" Airstreaks as preventative maintenance.