Tire with a plug safe for lapping ?

[David 84 911]

I have a track day with the Porsche Club and have a rear tire with a ply from a small puncture I had. Would you go lapping like that or buy new tires. I prefer to wear these first. Thanks

[wildcat077]

David,

Personally i wouldn't even trust a plug on my trailer ...
At the least,go to a good tire shop and have them install a vulcanized patch on the inside
of the tire.
You will have to pay for rebalancing but that's a small price to pay as compared to scrapping a wheel because your tire ran flat !

Since you're from Montreal,call Manuel at Pneus Touchette,they're always at all our Rennsport track events ,they can probably repair it at the track for you !
Not sure if they're at Calabogie,but they're always there at Mont Tremblant ...

Cheers !
Phil

[175K911]

Plug or patch-plug?
And where on the tire?

If it's just a plug, no way I'd run it on the track. A patch-plug is applied from inside the tire- it's a patch with an attached plug that is pulled out through the hole. But I believe most of the tire manufacturers state that patching a tire effectively negates the tire's speed rating.

Personally, I don't take a repaired tire on the track. Failure of a $200 tire can have far more expensive consequences.

[Jesse16]

I would use em. I've never had a problem with tire repairs myself. Others will argue to consider safety above all else so it'll be your call. (I think some just like an excuse to spend more money on equipment which I just can't do) My opinion, tire punctures can happen "any" time so your "new" tire may puncture on the first lap or on the drive to the track. Does that make it un-useable also ? Gotta go with what makes you comfortable. I'm more willing to trust the rest of the tire to hold just fine.

[David 84 911]

Great guidance. Thanks !

[175K911]

From the TireRack website:

Tire Tech Information - Flat Tire Repairs

[porschenut]

If these are R compound track tires, I'd say no. But if they are normal street tires I think you'd be fine, but monitor it closely throughout the day. The tire might go flat, but you won't have a blowout because of a plug. For a DE or lapping day on a stock or mostly stock car with street tires, you'll hardly put more stress on them than you would driving aggressively on the street.

[juanbenae]

it's one of those "if you have to ask" you prolly already know the answer...

[JeremyD]

I've had a flat tire on the track - luckily I heard and felt it at the same time - got a spin in - but that's it. I would not run a tire that's been repaired.

I have a rule that I follow to a T.

If it involves Tires/Wheels/Brakes/Suspension - there are no compromises.

[paulgtr]

email the club responsible for the event and ask them.

[vracer]

Originally Posted by 175K911

From the TireRack website:

Tire Tech Information - Flat Tire Repairs

Great info; thanx for posting it.

[VroomGrrl]

Read your club's rules for the event, the tech stuff in particular. Most high performance events prohibit running patched or plugged tires.

[Schmierung]

Only to share... i have been doing my own string tire repairs with 100% sucess for 30 years. This includes my highly modified 928 running countless laps at Pocono at 147 MPH and my quite improved 911s doing more than 2 seasons with several plugged 245/45-16 Bridgestones (building house..see?).
This is only my experience....consider other feedback and ...assess,
Best of Luck.

[Jesse16]

Actually thats how I repair all the tires on my vehicles, living in the burbs I'm always hitting a small nail, screw, or staple. Always a satisfying 15 minute activity and 100% works, has never failed me. Probably 25 repairs total. Haven't actually had a flat on the 911 yet but I'd repair if the tread is still decent.

[CCM911]

Prior to my first DE, I ran over a key(yes, a key!) that went through my tire. I removed the tire and had it patched at the local gas station. I don't even think it was a patch, more like an old school plug. And then I ran that plugged tire for the next year with no incidents.

What level are you driving? For green, you should be fine. As you approach black or red run group status, I would be more concerned. (BTW - These are the levels our PCA region uses).

[dgmark]

A Plug will work fine till it fails, No Tire manufacture recommends plugging a tire. A proper repair is a patch plug with an inspection of the inside of the tire.

[dad911]

Ever see a car hit the wall because of a tire failure? I have, and it ain't pretty.

If you're in an instructed group, why don't you ask your instructor if he will be comfortable riding with a plugged tire?

[AirKuhl]

From Michelin, although a pretty long time ago and I have no idea if their policies have changed since:

---------------------------
Subj: Reply From Consumer Relations
Date: 11/22/2002 11:47:55 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: Webtire@us.michelin.com
To: XXXXXX

For tires with a speed rating of 130 MPH and higher (H,V,Z) only one (1) ¼"
(6MM) diameter puncture may be repaired and allow the tire to retain its
original speed rating.

It is essential that a trained tire dealer or repair person deflate and remove
any tire from the wheel when it has been damaged or loosing air. A thorough
inspection for any internal damage must be made. Never perform an outside-in
tire repair (on the wheel). For proper repair procedures, refer to RMA's
Puncture Repair Procedures for Automobile and Light Trucks.

If you have additional questions, please respond to this email
or you may call us at 1-800-847-3435 (toll-free) between
8:30AM and 6:00PM Eastern Time Monday through Friday to allow
one of our Consumer Relations Representatives to assist you.

Michelin North America
Consumer Relations Department

(Please Do Not Delete the line below.)
Email ID: 862819
----------------------------


FWIW, I have done several track days with a properly plug/patched and rebalanced rear Michelin PS2 on a 993 C4S with no issues. YMMV.

[Nine9six]

Originally Posted by AirKuhl

From Michelin, although a pretty long time ago and I have no idea if their policies have changed since:

---------------------------
Subj: Reply From Consumer Relations
Date: 11/22/2002 11:47:55 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: Webtire@us.michelin.com
To: XXXXXX

For tires with a speed rating of 130 MPH and higher (H,V,Z) only one (1) ¼"
(6MM) diameter puncture may be repaired and allow the tire to retain its
original speed rating.

It is essential that a trained tire dealer or repair person deflate and remove
any tire from the wheel when it has been damaged or loosing air. A thorough
inspection for any internal damage must be made. Never perform an outside-in
tire repair (on the wheel). For proper repair procedures, refer to RMA's
Puncture Repair Procedures for Automobile and Light Trucks.

If you have additional questions, please respond to this email
or you may call us at 1-800-847-3435 (toll-free) between
8:30AM and 6:00PM Eastern Time Monday through Friday to allow
one of our Consumer Relations Representatives to assist you.

Michelin North America
Consumer Relations Department

(Please Do Not Delete the line below.)
Email ID: 862819
----------------------------


FWIW, I have done several track days with a properly plug/patched and rebalanced rear Michelin PS2 on a 993 C4S with no issues. YMMV.

Completely off topic...Pretty impressive stable you have there, Petey! I am refering to Gertrude, Black Betty, & Voodoo Child.

[peppy]

I would think there is more to a patched tire than just air loss. There could be structural damage to the cords and plys of the tire.

I would save the tire for street use, but never on the track.