Leaking Fenders

[SAWDOC]

I've notice the valve on one or two of my fenders lose air slowly (by dipping them in a bucket). Any suggestions as to how to repair this or is it a matter of replacement?

Thanks

 

[jerryat]

[ QUOTE ]
I've notice the valve on one or two of my fenders lose air slowly (by dipping them in a bucket). Any suggestions as to how to repair this or is it a matter of replacement?

Thanks

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh, I hope you get some sensible replies to your question. I've posted here before about this problem and, whilst smothering the stupid little plastic srew-in plugs with mastic helps, nothing seems to work long term.

What I want is a good quality fender with proper, metal valves and seals that can be serviced if required.

Is there any company that makes something like this?!!

 

[earlybird]

I recently had a fender that would regularly lose most pressure through the valve over a few days. In fact the leak was audible. I was thinking along the lines of a plug but, whilst fiddling, I pushed , IIRC, a small screwdriver quite firmly down the valve hole. This seems to have had the unexpected effect of seating whatever's down there, and the fender has now remained fully inflated for the last several months, (without the screwdriver). Probably luck, but perhaps worth a try.

 

[DAKA]

I burst a fender and repaired it with a hot glue gun.

There can not be any pressure in the fender while repairing the hole.
force hot nozzle in and squirt the glue in, hold fender upside down so the glue covers the hole.

The leaking plug can be sorted on an ice cold day.

remove plug and use silicone, lightly add air and replace plug.

Once the temperature increases the fender will be firm.

I repaired one 5 years ago like this, it is a little soft when the temperature falls to 0' but the rest of the time it is perfect and not needed any air since.

I found that if I tried to repair while under pressure the glue/silicone just got an air hole through it.

Not a lot of use for an immediate repair...sorry, you need to wait for January or empty your freezer /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Moonshiners]

With the right plastic and a hot poker you can "emergency repair" most plastics by massaging molten plastic around the hole to fill the old, just be carfull it's not too hot as it will shrink. Lego can also be used as colour coded filler (think TIG welding) can also be sanded and smoothed afterwards... Although not worth trying with anything to expensive, worth a hack on an old fender if it saves skipping it.

Sorry not a solution to a specific valve problem, but helps for general leaks.

 

[Spyro]

Try a couple of drops of oil into the valve, Don't know how it works but it did for me.