front tire problem

[WhiteStar]

I have a flat front tire, when I air it up it leaks fast around the valve stem. Not inside, but where the thick rubber of the valve stem touches the rim of the tire.

Is this something I can fix quickly, or should I just bring it into the shop and have them do it?

The only reason I don't want to bring it to the tire shop is the drive time out there, probably cost me more in gas than for them to fix it.

Thanks,

John
 

[Andy Wickiser]

Well, if it has a tube sometimes a general leak will show up at the base of the valve stem. I've had two such leaks in the recent past, the last one was caused by a thorn puncture and the first was cause by a pinhole leak (tire man said it could be an "in and out". I just took mine to the tire shop, it wasn't very expensive. If you want to break down the tire and patch the leak yourself that would work too.
 

[souNdguy]

just break it down and retube it.

no biggie.. eh?
 

[s19438]

take tire to shop and take significant other with you. go out for lunch or do some shopping while your waiting for tire.
 

[old]

Air like water will take the path of lest resistance so if you have a thorn in the tire which has poked a hole in the tube the air cans out the stem hole because the thorn is still plugging the hole in the tire. Time to break it down find the leak in the tube fix that and also be sure you check the tire for thorns etc in the tire that will cause another hole in the tube
 

[souNdguy]

the money you save doing it yourself and you can actually afford to buy the dinner!
 

[Dean]

IF you have the proper tools and skills, AND the tube has not been damaged by driving while the tire is flat (or you have a replacement tube), you can repair the leak yourself.

Lacking any of these elements will most likely result in wasted time and frustration as well as, perhaps, additional expense vis a vis taking the tire and wheel to the tire shop.

Dean
 

[RodinNS]

There's a hole in the tube somewhere... you can probably patch the tube... or put a new one in. Just MAKE SURE you find the nail or whatever is in the tire that caused the flat in the first place... or the new tube will have a hole as quick as hte old one did.
If you haven't changed tires before and haven't the tools.... or the desire to change more... you're probably further ahead to take it to a tire shop and have it changed.

Rod
 

[WhiteStar]

Thanks All!

Given I don't have the tools, probably just bring it to a tire shop.

Thanks,

John
 

[s19438]

a day spent with the little woman? priceless!!!!
 

[s19438]

if you have the tools. i have the right tools to break down an engine but i have not a tire iron to be found. was always too easy to take to shop and not all that expensive.
 

[souNdguy]

maybee.. depends on how long you been married!
 

[souNdguy]

I always found I had flats on holidays and sunday nights.. thus I invested in a couple tire spoons, and the 50$ manual tire changer from the chinese store. however.. even before the tire changer.. a couple spoons and a hammer and c clamp and vise grips and they pop off fine too.