Foam Emergency Repair Of Punctured Tyres

[corinth748]

can the garage remove the injected foam,repair the puncture,and make the tyre useable again ?
thanks

[sunny-dave]

Yes - provided the puncture hasn't damaged the tyre beyond repair (and/or running flat hasn't knackered the side walls) the puncture will be just as easy to fix.

They might have to replace the valve, but that only costs a few pence.

[woofgang]

My car (rav4) has no spare, only that can of foam. When I checked before buying about what happened after the foam is used, the garage i bought it from assured me that the tyre is repaired, you don't need a new one every time.

[sunny-dave]

The foam is pretty good - but it won't re-inflate a tyre that has been really badly punctured (or the side walls have been wrecked by running flat after a high-speed puncture).

I carry a can on my motor-bike - but a big nail was beyond its ability last time I had a flat :+(

[corinth748]

many thanks for all who were kind enough to reply.

[woofgang]

I think the Rav tyres are designed to be foam friendly as there is no spare by design, but no, not fool proof. however, given that I'd probably never manage to manhandle (woman handle ha ) a spare on account of my back and would call the RAC out anyway, its six of one for me.

[tonyav]

There are a lot of cars that don't have spare tyres these days, woofgang.

[woofgang]

That's why i thought i'd give it a go tonyav....if it had been the first one out, I wouldn't have wanted to pay to be a test pilot!!

[tonyav]

And I don't blame you either, woofgang.

[Baldric]

We've just bought a Vrs Estate as a runabout/dog carrier, there was no spare with that when we went to collect it, only when I walked out without the car did the Sales Manager remember they had a new spare in the stores!

[gingejbee]

My new car comes with the "inflater kit" as standard, but can be ordered with a proper spare instead for just £50 - and no kit is supplied.
There is no way that I would buy a car without a spare wheel.

[woofgang]

I guess it depends on your usage and who you are. I know how to change a wheel but, as I said, I have a duff back and so could not do it alone now. I don't drive long distance and the garage I would get the car to is probably never more than about an hour from me with no need to go on the motorway. I stand more chance of being able to deal with a flat unaided using a reinflator than I would with a spare tyre and if I did need the RAC then they could transport me to the garage instead of changing the tyre. When I bought the car, the bloke told me that the garage keep a spare so that they just change the wheel over and you collect yours when the have fixed it or replaced it if its trashed.

[woofgang]

Forgot to add, both of my previous cars had the spare fastened to the back door. I do miss them a bit as they were great protection for the paintwork when reversing lol.

[gingejbee]

Although people here have been told that the tyres can be subsequently repaired, I know of two cases where tyre specialists have said that they wouldn't repair them- and it wasn't down to the severity/location of the damage. New tyre needed, then - AND a new inflater kit.

[woofgang]

I guess its horses for courses gingelbee.

[Old_Geezer]

My car was supposed to have a spare in the boot, until I needed it, when it turned out to be some con 'get you home slowly' nonsense. I was not amused ! I'm sure they will claim it counts as a spare, but it clearly isn't what any normal person would call a spare. Another example of poor quality service/product. Never used to be like that.

[Zeuhl]

OG

the idea is that the smaller replacement gets you home AND takes up less space and weight when you aren't using it - which is most of the time

If repair foams contaminate the rubber where the puncture is, it may affect the adhesive/plug used in any repair and can be deemed unsafe and irreparable

[Old_Geezer]

I think I'd say 'excuse' rather than 'idea'. If one needs more space one designs a deeper pit in the boot to store it in. Simples. Older cars never had an issue. Can't stand them, can't stand foam nonsense even more. I only got back after 3 hours drive and 150 miles because I could not go more than 50 on the motorway. And having no opportunity to get it replaced straight away so ended up doing more short journeys first. And it wasn't even clear if it was one use only, given the limited depth of tread on it brand new. It's all catch penny, do it for minimum, make out it's an advantage.

[Zeuhl]

/I think I'd say 'excuse' rather than 'idea'./

I'm not sure that adds up OG
the only motivation for 'reducing product then making up excuse' is budget and i doubt there is any significant gain for the manufacturer there.

In fact, the main motivations in automotive for at least ten years has been fuel efficiency, emissions, optimizing weight and useable space.

Hence less devoted to what is by definition a waste of both the vast majority of the time you are carrying it around.

[woofgang]

OG, one of the reasons that I chose my car was the no spare idea.....

[Old_Geezer]

Were I that concerned I'd insist on inflatable back seats because I rarely carry passengers. So, if there is no appreciable saving the conclusion has to be that they do it deliberately to annoy. I shan't be buying my present make of car again, that's for sure.