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MG MGA - Aerosol puncture repair/inflation

Some time ago I responded (can't remember what the thread was) that I carry a can of the above in all of my cars to get me home so I can attack the centrelock nuts and change wheels in the safety and relative convenience of my own garage. A number of MGA contributors quickly scoffed at this (despite my assertion that I had used this system successfully!) quoting inane reasons why this would not work (none of them having had actual experience, of course). It has now come to light that some new cars are now equipped with a can of aerosol puncture repair/tyre inflator instead of a spare wheel and tyre and this practice may well become universal! It seems a pity that multinational motor companies such as these are so misguided when they could have had the benefit of the advice of the "experts"!
Barry Bahnisch

I carry two cans of it when I do rallies.
Mark J Michalak

I carry a can in the MGA, but never had cause to use it as I still carry the spare! My Merc has no spare, nor can. Instead, the tyres are claimed to be 'run flat'.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Does it work with inner tubes or is it just for tubeless tyres?
Malcolm Asquith

Malcolm, Barry,

I have only had two punctures in my MGA over the years (although I have changed tyres and inner tubes periodically). On both occasions the inner tube was split (or shredded completely) and well beyond any repair or the capabilities of the aerosol repair.

So I can say categorically that it would have been of no use to me.

However, if you have a point puncture that does not cause a split, as is normally the case for example on a bicycle, then if then it should work fine.

The question is: what is it designed for; tube or tubeless?
Neil McGurk

Barry. The aerosol "get you out of trouble" kits are capable of sealing a small puncture and getting you home. They are designed for tubeless tyres as the puncture in such a tyre leaves only the small hole where the nail/glass/sharp stare from the wife, entered the tyre.
On a tube type tyre the tube can burst quite rapidly, ripping the tube and making it un-sealable.
The same effect is seen when bursting a baloon. If the balloon has a piece of sticky tape on it it at the point you puncture it does not pop, just slowly deflates. Puncture on the balloon rubber and it flies apart.
The tube can just have a small puncture and deflate (I have had this once) but can also fail with a tear very quickly (also had this case - entering a ferry).
While the aerosol will fix case 1, it will not fix case 2. The tyre should also be checked for the cause of the puncture as if something is still in the tread it will make the puncture worse while driving. My wife once drove with a long nail through the tread that eventually burst the tyre by coming through the sidewall!!
The sealants are also not designed to drive far, just to get you off the highway, hopefully to the nearest tyre dealer.
There are a number of car manufacturers using this instead of a temporary spare as it saves weight, gives more usable space etc.

My MGA has the wheel in the back and I would not want to be without it. Never been stuck for more than 20 mins. to change it and never had a problem to remove the centre lock nut.

Do always check the pressure in the spare though. It does go down as much as any other tyre.

Neil
Neil Purves

Not sure whether the aerosol is designed for tubed or tubeless but on the occasion that I used it successfully it was a tubed tyre.
Barry Bahnisch

How do the tire repair people feel about fixing a tire that has had the sealer used in it? Can you still have the tire fixed properly, or do you have to replace it after using this method to get you home?
Ed Bell

Spare-in-a-can may work if you have a slow leak puncture. It will not work for a road hazard flat. I find the latter to be more common.

I have used my spare tire three times in the past 22 years, 216,000 miles. Once was for a slow leak puncture that could have been fixed temporarily by simply putting air in the tire. The other two were tear outs, one from hitting the edge of a 2x4 board that cut the sidewall, the other from a rail road spike through the tread. I have had similar record with my trailer tires, one slow leak and two road hazard failures (in 100,000 miles).

I would never leave home without a spare tire, so I find little benefit to cluttering up the boot with an additional aerosol can. The only reasonable way to run without a spare tire is to use run-flat tires (and I don't like those things even if they were available in the right size). A space saver spare can be a good idea if you don't travel more than 50 miles from a tire service shop.
Barney Gaylord

Isn't the gas used in these highly flammable? Propane or something similar? I've heard that many tire repair shops won't unmount tires inflated this way for fear of explosion. Urban legend?
David Breneman

David

You may be right. I have just got mine out of the boot to read the instructions etc. Surprisingly, there is no list of contents on the aerosol can (Holts Tyre Weld). However, there is a note of caution: "Please ensure that the tyre is repaired in an open well ventilated area. Do not weld on the tyre rim or near the tyre."

Steve
Steve Gyles

This thread was discussed between 31/08/2008 and 01/09/2008

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