Alloy wheeel problem, don't want to go to the dealership!

foxystoat69

The wheel on my VW Polo (alloy) has lost air pressure qquite considerably the last week, it was down to 7PSI, after inflating it back to 30PSI (sorry if this is the incorre t expression!) last week, gone back down again.

Its not flat, so no puncture, but just asked Kwik fit to check it out, hoping it may have been a slow puncture.

After checking it, he says that its the wheel (not the tyre...sorry, I'm a bit thick, i thought a tyre and wheel were the same?) thats the issue, and the only place that can sort this out is my local VW dealership.

With someone with as much knowledge on cars as a dodgy politician knowing its not a good idea to go into the male toilets on Hamstead Heath late on a Thursday evening, is this the only option I have? I did ask the guy at Kwik Fit why can't you do it, he said, its only the dealership

I just know its going to cost me £100 or so if I goto VW.....

hewhoisnotintheknow

more than 100 if you goto vw for a new one

If the car is still in warranty go in and get it sorted, if not get a second opinion and then source one from ebay or something

steveo3002

wheel is the silver metal bit

tyre is the black bit around the outside

if its true what kwick fit said( they have a reputation for being close to useless) then you need the wheel sandpapering /wirebrushing to smooth down the surface where the tyre seals

my tyre fitter did this for me for free and applied some sealer to be sure it sealed well

you could also have the whole wheel refurbished if its a really nice car that you plan to keep

tinkerbell84

foxystoat69 wrote: »

he says that its the wheel (not the tyre...sorry, I'm a bit thick, i thought a tyre and wheel were the same?)

Seriously?? _pale_

Should you be on the road?



The tyre is the black rubber thing that goes around the silver metal thing (wheel).

You change your tyres when they wear down, but not usually the wheel.

It's a bit like the difference between feet and shoes

foxystoat69

tinkerbell84 wrote: »

Seriously?? _pale_

Should you be on the road?



The tyre is the black rubber thing that goes around the silver metal thing (wheel).

You change your tyres when they wear down, but not usually the wheel.

It's a bit like the difference between feet and shoes

Thanks for the sarcasm!! :rolleyes: In laymans terms though, a wheel sounds just like a tyre! Like I said, I'm no expert!

I will seek a second opinion tomorrow as suggested earlier, keep em coming!

mikey72

Alloy wheels can be porous, an alloy wheel shop can usually sort this out.
I had a wheel and tyre that lost air, in the end I found the valve was leaking slightly. Not obvious when Kwik Fit drop it in their tank of water to check for leaks though.

goldspanners

its possible the wheel rim has corroded and just requires cleaning up with sandpaper and silver paint.
but its not unknown for the wheel to become porous,i know some hondas have had this issue.
if the car is still under warranty then go to the dealer, if no then find a local tyre place and ask them if they could do anything.
alternatively find a company that refurbishes alloy wheels, it could cost around £30 - £40 per wheel.

SailorSam

I think you should look in the Yellow Pages for somewhere that specialises in alloy wheels, they may be able to repair it. It could have a pin hole in it and they may be able to weld it.
I would have said the wheel may have rusted and a hole appeared, but we appear to have too many know alls' and they may come back and tell me that alloy does'nt rust.

tinkerbell84

foxystoat69 wrote: »

Thanks for the sarcasm!! :rolleyes: In laymans terms though, a wheel sounds just like a tyre! Like I said, I'm no expert!

I will seek a second opinion tomorrow as suggested earlier, keep em coming!

Wheel = metal (alloy is the clue there )

Tyre = rubber.

Which bit sounds similar??

foxystoat69

tinkerbell84 wrote: »

Wheel = metal (alloy is the clue there )

Tyre = rubber.

Which bit sounds similar??

For some reason, I have the song "the wheels on the bus go rround and round" in my head now!

foxystoat69

hewhoisnotintheknow wrote: »

more than 100 if you goto vw for a new one

If the car is still in warranty go in and get it sorted, if not get a second opinion and then source one from ebay or something

Took the second opinion route, went to another national brand of tyre repairists, altogether more favourable outcome, replacement tyre, looked at the wheel and found a small dent that they sorted, job done for £45, not sure if this was over the odds, but altogether much cheaper than VW would have charged, thanks for the advice!