Always prepared!?

[jchris]

Just a data point for the group.

I've read posts wondering if our 40+ year old space savers would work. Today I got the chance to try it! The steering became really heavy
as I pulled into the cars and coffee this morning. I wondered if I had a flat. I did. The front right had gone completely flat in moments. I went to mess with it and the valve stem popped out in my hand. Failure. I just had new tired installed and this is my reward. Pretty irritating Anyhow, I thought I would try the spare that has been patiently waiting for this opportunity for 43 years. Amazingly, the untested pump operated and inflated the spare, albeit very slowly. I pulled out the virgin jack that was installed by a West German whom is no doubt deep into retirement, held my breath, and cranked away. It all went down without a hitch! My drive was 5-7 miles of 25-30 MPH and the only squawk I have is that the schrader valve leaked a tiny bit. It has been replaced.

Anyway the long and short is I needed it, it was there, and it worked.

I would not have been excited to drive it far, but I didn't need to.

[REVerend]

Sorry to hear about your flat… did you have something in the tire or was it just the valve stem improperly installed?

In any case it’s very interesting to hear about the space saver spare in action. I have been tempted to just take mine out due to its age despite it looking good, but guess I will leave it in. I also keep a plug kit, a few cans of fix a flat and a newer pump just in case.

[EC900]

Thanks jchris for sharing your experience with actually using a 40+ original Space Saver spare as many wondered here on the Forum if they would be of any value.
Best I ever done was inflate (29psi) and deflate mine as a practice run but without ever putting it under the full pressure of the car and drive with it installed. I should have at least filled a tub with water and checked for small leaks, maybe next time.
Couple of Q’s:
It’ would be good to know which compressor you used and if it was connected to the cigarette lighter or clamped to the to battery with car running(?) to avoid drain or fuse overload, also if the compressor exhibited any overheated since it’s so slow to inflate.
Many of these little air inflators have a tendency to overheat and require some stopping to allow cooling down then start up again.
Thanks again !

[jchris]

Sorry for the late reply! It was the valve stem that failed. It was out at an angle when I parked with the flat and it pulled out by hand with no effort. It was torn on the mushroomed out portion on what would be the inside of the rim and appears to be old. I am disappointed to say that I forgot to ask if the shop replaced the valve stems. I Ass-umed they replaced them. Self burn.


The pump is the white Canadian built unit that came with the car when I got it. In fairness, I’ve always thought it was the Porsche supplied pump but I guess I down know.
It opens like a suitcase and has the wires and hose inside.

It has a cigarette lighter plug that fit loosely, but worked. In fact I didn’t notice that until back home and making sure it still worked.

The pump got quite hot, it says on it not to run it more than 15 minutes at a time. It may have been that long. It actually stopped running right when it got to pressure which I wondered if that was as designed or a coincidence. It may have become too hot.
But it works now.

[Johnr352]

Dumb question but my space saver looks brand new, never filled. I'm wondering if it can be filled and then emptied to the same size. Meaning, after use, does it deflate sufficiently to easily fit back in its home in my frunk?

I want to test it but thought I'd ask first.

[Duc Hunter]

Yeah my 1989's space saver has saved me twice! Very impressive, and it has no dry rot on it etc.
After the fist time I now make sure I have a working compressor (not the factory one), plug kit, jack etc in the car at all times.

[jchris]

To answer your question John, I haven’t taken it off the car yet. Once I get the replacement tire on there I’ll let you know how the “deflate” goes!

[EC900]

– “I'm wondering if it can be filled and then emptied to the same size. Meaning, after use, does it deflate sufficiently to easily fit back in its home in my frunk? “

Yes, that’s what I did. Filled it to the recommended 29psi and deflated it. The spare self folds back into the collapsed state to fit in the tank indent. I don’t think it needed much effort to squeeze out the last of the air, maybe a little pushing down the tire to force any leftover air, but just the holding open the valve takes the most time and effort.

What I should have done:
Inflate spare to 35-35psi, get a suitable large-sized storage type tub that can fit the spare tire standing upright, fill with water to reach just above the wheel to the valve stem (about 10” deep or so) then rotate the tire around and check for any air bubbles that would indicate any leaks.
No big tub? You can lay an inflated tire flat and apply soapy water around all the surfaces and watch for bubbles.

PSA - Never a good idea to rely on any tire that’s over 10 yrs old especially for distance, cornering and high speeds. Holding air is not a standard to judge safety.

[Cevan]

Originally Posted by Johnr352

Dumb question but my space saver looks brand new, never filled. I'm wondering if it can be filled and then emptied to the same size. Meaning, after use, does it deflate sufficiently to easily fit back in its home in my frunk?

I want to test it but thought I'd ask first.

I decided to see if mine would hold air. Inflated it and let it sit overnight. It held air. Deflated it and it returned back to its original size.

[jchris]

Ditto for me. I removed the valve core and it shrank before my eyes! I wondered for a moment it I was going to need to help it back into its deflated shape but no, it took care of itself. It’s now back in its home, hopefully forever.


I am now making sure I have what I need for other roadside repairs such as fan belt replacement and the like.

[Koizumi]

I took mine out for a few years. This thread is making me anxious! I think I’ll put it back in. I do enjoy the extra space sans tire but…

[Winter]

This thread is motivating me to check my compressor and space saver. Might as well go through the motions of making sure it all works and knowing that it will compliment the fix-a-flat, tire plugs and AAA+ card that I already carry.

[carreradpt]

Chris thanks for posting this. Very helpful and a reminder to those of us who drive our cars quite a bit, be prepared. Thanks

[jchris]

My Pleasure!