Date:         Sun, 22 Oct 2000 13:56:32 -0400
Reply-To:     "Anthony L. Mourkas" <frankenstein@TELPLUS.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Anthony L. Mourkas" <frankenstein@TELPLUS.NET>
Subject:      Tire Repair - Tubes?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

The other day I noticed that my 84 Westy left front tire (Michelin MXT
205/70 14) looked a little low.  Broke out my pressure gauge, yikes,
15lbs.  Pumped it up to 42lbs. and let it sit overnight and it was down
to 32lbs. in the morning.  Took it over to my tire dealer and they pumped
it back up, couldn't find a leak, let it sit overnight, and it held
pressure!

Checked it again in their dunk tank and eventually found an extremely
small pinhole releasing a small bubble every 10 seconds or so.  However
damage was done on the upper sidewall where they were reluctant to patch
with a plug.  They put a tube into the tire and it has held pressure so
far.

The idea of a tube inside of a tire not designed for one has me a bit
puzzled.  So before I reinstall this tire, which is one of a matched,
regularly rotated set of five, I thought I would ask if this solution is
a common one and your thoughts on the safety and reliability of putting a
tube in there.

Thanks,

Tony

Anthony L. Mourkas
Hampden, Maine, USA
1984 Vanagon Westfalia
1991 Jetta Eco Diesel
1991 Volvo 240 sedan