They used to do this years ago, and I don't recall any problems. It
certainly saves the cost of an expensive tire if it is a minor leak.
Jerry
----- Original Message -----
From: "Anthony L. Mourkas" <frankenstein@TELPLUS.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, October 22, 2000 10:56 AM
Subject: Tire Repair - Tubes?

> The other day I noticed that my 84 Westy left front tire (Michelin MXT
> 205/70 14) looked a little low.  Broke out my pressure gauge, yikes,
> 15lbs.  Pumped it up to 42lbs. and let it sit overnight and it was down
> to 32lbs. in the morning.  Took it over to my tire dealer and they pumped
> it back up, couldn't find a leak, let it sit overnight, and it held
> pressure!
>
> Checked it again in their dunk tank and eventually found an extremely
> small pinhole releasing a small bubble every 10 seconds or so.  However
> damage was done on the upper sidewall where they were reluctant to patch
> with a plug.  They put a tube into the tire and it has held pressure so
> far.
>
> The idea of a tube inside of a tire not designed for one has me a bit
> puzzled.  So before I reinstall this tire, which is one of a matched,
> regularly rotated set of five, I thought I would ask if this solution is
> a common one and your thoughts on the safety and reliability of putting a
> tube in there.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Tony
>
> Anthony L. Mourkas
> Hampden, Maine, USA
> 1984 Vanagon Westfalia
> 1991 Jetta Eco Diesel
> 1991 Volvo 240 sedan
>