Can't Find Tire Leak

[JimP2014]

And with the deck you don't want eliminate too much the deck to mower frame clearance as they got to be able to float somewhat. Without this the deck can slam against the frame and damage things. This causes even more problems as items are bent or worst broke.

Every manufacture has different design and specs. Most of the MTD can drag on the ground and other I have seen get no where near dragging. Basically my MTD built mower can scalp the grass to the dirt if lower the deck to 1 or 2 notch.

When buying a mower the owners should lower and raise the decks to check the actual cutting heights.

And with tire pressures you don't want to be max the rating as the tread are will lose traction due the tread face going flat across to rounded face with the center making contact and the outer edges less contact. Plus it rough on the back as it will be a rougher ride.

I hear you on this so imagine I have an LT2000 Sears Craftsman and on the lowest setting the clearance isn't like 1 in or 0 in it's like -5 in like this is crazy and that's why when I try and raise it up to the highest setting it's like I'm already out we're down 5 in of vertical height.

Jim

 

[skiwithjohn]

I have had good luck using a tire sealant product called "Flat Out" in my garden tractor tires. I have never used Slime because of horror stories I have read about it. "Flat Out" seems to avoid many of the issues people complain about with Slime.

 

[barny57]

Hey Everyone,

I am embarrased to ask this. I have a slow Leak in a Rear JD D130 Tire. It takes 2 days to go completly flat. I've taken it off the mower. I can't see anything in it and I have gone over it multple times w/ soapy water and I still can't find the Leak. I also soaped up the valve stem and bead but nothing. Tire is in great shape. If I find the leak y thought was to use a plug.

Any other ideas? All the lawn shops around here won't repair will only replace the tire. I thought about filling the bathtub up w/ water and checking it that way, pretty sure the wife wouldn't like it but I'm losing ideas.

My last resort, which I don't want to do is add slime. Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks,

MIchael

Put a tube in it

 

[JimP2014]

Put a tube in it

Michael I'm not going to recommend you what to do I'm going to recommend you what not to do and that has to do with that slime product it's completely useless. Having said that it might have other applications where it works really great but not in the case of the riding mower from what I can tell.
Jim

 

[kjonxx]

Hey Everyone,

I am embarrased to ask this. I have a slow Leak in a Rear JD D130 Tire. It takes 2 days to go completly flat. I've taken it off the mower. I can't see anything in it and I have gone over it multple times w/ soapy water and I still can't find the Leak. I also soaped up the valve stem and bead but nothing. Tire is in great shape. If I find the leak y thought was to use a plug.

Any other ideas? All the lawn shops around here won't repair will only replace the tire. I thought about filling the bathtub up w/ water and checking it that way, pretty sure the wife wouldn't like it but I'm losing ideas.

My last resort, which I don't want to do is add slime. Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks,

MIchael

Check the weld area on the rim where the 2 halves come together.

 

[Ray52]

Hey Everyone,

I am embarrased to ask this. I have a slow Leak in a Rear JD D130 Tire. It takes 2 days to go completly flat. I've taken it off the mower. I can't see anything in it and I have gone over it multple times w/ soapy water and I still can't find the Leak. I also soaped up the valve stem and bead but nothing. Tire is in great shape. If I find the leak y thought was to use a plug.

Any other ideas? All the lawn shops around here won't repair will only replace the tire. I thought about filling the bathtub up w/ water and checking it that way, pretty sure the wife wouldn't like it but I'm losing ideas.

My last resort, which I don't want to do is add slime. Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks,

MIchael

I've found that the stem is often the culprit, Do what I have done and have a tube installed. Problem solved.

 

[schreib69]

I am embarrased to ask this. I have a slow Leak in a Rear JD D130 Tire. It takes 2 days to go completly flat. I've taken it off the mower. I can't see Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.

It appears that for over a week you have yet to fix this and had a LOT of comments; I read only page one and six. . .
I would do this:
-- jack up the air pressure to as much as you dare, at least 50 psi and do this:

* After deflating. . . don't even bother testing it, just replace the valve stem(using channel lock grab stem and rip it out, leveraging backside of channel locks against rim, twist); replace the stem and leave it at high pressure overnight, recheck. valve stems are CHEAP! just do it. To replace it you need a core tool and to break and FULLY clean the bead you will have to break free. Break the bead this way: 1) use a bottle jack under your truck hitch mount, press base against the bead, 2) use forks from skid steer in each side of bead, 3) take to the tire store and have them simply replace them stem for $20??. Finally, very important to SAND down inside rim at seat if rusted, minimum clean thoroughly with Scothbrite, lube well when re-pressuring.

* using a detergent solution and brush, scrub the heck out of the tread and bead seam; inspect it six inches at a time as you go around the tread(inspection area horizontal) dribbling water over it and damming it up in inspection area with rags. cleaning it allows water spreading across the rubber surface so no air pockets cover a leak.*slowly dribble water with some detergent along each bead and watch it six inches at a time around the circumference

* if all this fails, mark off the tire in 3 or four radial sectors, 90° to 120° of a circle, and submerge tire in water and watch each sector for bubbles for 10 min.

 

[robertschemenauer]

Hey Everyone,

I am embarrased to ask this. I have a slow Leak in a Rear JD D130 Tire. It takes 2 days to go completly flat. I've taken it off the mower. I can't see anything in it and I have gone over it multple times w/ soapy water and I still can't find the Leak. I also soaped up the valve stem and bead but nothing. Tire is in great shape. If I find the leak y thought was to use a plug.

Any other ideas? All the lawn shops around here won't repair will only replace the tire. I thought about filling the bathtub up w/ water and checking it that way, pretty sure the wife wouldn't like it but I'm losing ideas.

My last resort, which I don't want to do is add slime. Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks,

MIchael

It could be the valve try putting a little spit or soappy water.some times just needs a new valve.

 

[Freddie21]

If the leak is small, I would try this leak fixer, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D5M1TGJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1. It is the only one I've used that will cure a cracked side wall. Price is decent, about the same as buying a tube. Only use 1\2 pouch depending on tire size.

If you are good with removing the tire from 1\2 the rim, then a tube is better if you have cracking on the side wall. Before installing the tube, run your hand lightly around the inside of the tire and rim looking for sharp burrs. Sand them off tire and grind off wheel. Many times there is weld splatter that is sharp.

For me, back tires are easier to remove and reinstall so I'll use tubes. I don't enjoy the smaller fronts.

 

[bbirder]

Hey Guys,
I'll solve your problem for you. Go to Amazon and search for a product called "Flat Out". It contains kevlar and is used by the military in everything from trucks to airplanes. It is not slimy and can be washed out with water if tire needs to be dismounted. They claim one application for life of tire. I use it on my personal tires and have not had a flat or leak down yet. And it is affordable and comes in all sizes.