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So my boss has a slow leak in one of his BMW E46 wheels and we have determined that it is not in the tire itself. We are thinking that the wheel might have a small crack in it that shows up while the tire is under load (i.e. while driving and the wheel is warmer / rolling).

Can anyone recommend someone for him to take the wheel to to have it checked? If there is indeed a small crack, are they fixable (of course, it would depend on where the crack is.)?

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Todd Breakey
STS 42 - 1992 Sunburst Miata
Dammit!
"You souldn't play leap frog with a porcupine. You might get hurt." - Eliza

i believe jeb at discount tire has an immersion tank. i don't know if they can put it under load while in the tank, but it's better then soapy water and bubbles.

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05 MCS

Or you could try using a large disposable turkey pan (aluminum), fill it with soapy water and lower the tire on the car (using a jack) into it and if nothing is found, rotate and repeat. I would pump up the tire to 60 psi or so, for that would help add to the "load". - AB

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'14 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 4WD
Super Westerfield Bros - '93 Integra - LeChump Du Jour
STX 93 - Scion FR-S

Unless it's a really rare or hard to find wheel, I'd skip trying to fix it and find a good used one. E46 wheels are fairly cheap and easy to find.


Stupid question, but did you/he check the valve stem?


My Dad had a Toyota Camry years ago with factory alloys, one of them kept slowly losing air and he had a devil of a time finding out what the problem was. Turned out that the wheel was slightly porous and leaked down over time. IIRC, he priced a new wheel at the dealer and it was like $400 so he installed a tube in that "porous" wheel and never had another problem.

Good suggestions guys. I'll let him know what you said.

Bret - Do you have any E46 sets out at your place? I don't think he would be too against buying a new set if they look good.

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Todd Breakey
STS 42 - 1992 Sunburst Miata
Dammit!
"You souldn't play leap frog with a porcupine. You might get hurt." - Eliza

FYI The shop manual for my 97 Mustang describes a wheel leak repair that involves an "Aluminum wheel repair compound" and a propane torch. After cleaning/sanding heat the wheel "brake side" and use the heat to melt the sealer from the "air side".

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Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT

I don't have any stock sets- the only thing I have is a set of chrome 17" M3 replicas. They're in good shape, but I'm not too excited about the chrome. Tires are good too.


Let me know if he might be interested, or just tell him to email me "bretluter AT hotmail.com".


I was thinking his best bet might be to try to find one good used wheel if the leaky one is not cheaply repairable, but I can see how it might be a good opportunity for an "upgrade"...


Bret.

Bret - YGM.

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Todd Breakey
STS 42 - 1992 Sunburst Miata
Dammit!
"You souldn't play leap frog with a porcupine. You might get hurt." - Eliza