To patch or to plug...

[MattAlpha]

I appreciate all of you inputs.
Since Randy posted some pics, I feel that I should as well.

Its a Dunlop SP Sport 9000.

Sorry about the following pics, but I couldn't take one without the flash making the screw shiny.

[89911]

If your going to get a puncture, that is the best place for them for repair. Fix em up and drive them. If they wear like mine, you'll only be driving for a year or two.

[randywebb]

"how many actually drive a sustained 120mph for an hour or so?"

- But this is only part of the issue. The acceleration on the tire is one effect; but the other is heat. The tire heats up as speed rises and as G-forces rise, etc. But there is a difference in running a tire on cool concrete near the coast in the NW (could be 50 oF or 60, etc.) and on hot asphalt in the Calif. desert - where the surface temperature can be 180 oF - even in Louisiana, as a kid I used to bburn my feet on the asphalt and we sometimes could really curdle if not fully cook eggs on it. It will be hotter in the deserts.

So, in general, I would be conservative. As to this particular car in Marina, Calif. I dunno. Sounds like it is near the coast.

I sure wouldn't want a patch to fail during a burst run to 95 mph...

[Emission]

Randy is right. Speed rating is based more on the ability of the tire to take heat than it is on the ability of the tire to sustain centrifugal forces (they have to do both, obviously).

[aigel]

I am always amazed how readily people shell out serious dough for a 911 and then get frugal when critical components fail and need adequate replacement.

I would just put a new tire on it and move on with life. Even if there is only a slight chance that my patched tire is not as good as a new tire, why would I take it? Because of $200?

Minimizing risk is very important to stay ahead of Murphy and his family.

Good Luck, George

[boxster03]

Porsche says to never repair only replace.

[Nine9six]

Originally posted by slodave
Patch it - only way to go. I've had a number of Z rated tires patched. Plugs are only good if you are stuck in the middle of nowhere. I carry them when I go on long trips.

What Dave said....

[rnln]

Some tire places do both, patch and plug.

[lateapex911]

WehnI was younger i worked in a gas station, and I pugged and patched my share of tires.

If a Caprice came in with a screw in the right spot in a tire, it was repaired.

If a Porsche 930 came in with such a screw, I wouldn't touch it.

Why? My boss would kill me! We'd send him to the tire place or the dealer for a proper replacement. My boss was no dummy.

[CarreraDan]

I would patch it if you are comfortable with it. I got new rear tires a few months ago and two weeks later picked up a large drywall screw--damn builders. Of course I passed on the tire service plan that would have replaced the tire, since I hadn't gotten anything in my tires in years. I took the tire to the best tire place around here and they removed the tire, patched, and balanced it for $18. They told me it would have no effect on the speed rating of the tire. I cannot even tell where they patched it now that the tire has some wear on it. Also FWIW, I would be more worried about something else that is 18 yrs old on my car failing at high speed more than my new patched tire. Plus, I don't drive it much over 75 anyway--too much law enforcement around here.

I plan on doing a DE this fall and I haven't decided on what to do with the tire--most likely need new rears by then anyway.

[MattAlpha]

Thanks guys for all of the advice and information.
I'm planning on removing the tire myself tonight and having it patched tomorrow.

Yes, I'm being cheap for right now, but I'm not racing my 911. This may seem odd, but its my daily driver. If the patch fails, I'll stop and pull the car over to the shoulder and have it towed and replace the tire then. If that happens, I'll take the pictures and post them here for all to see.

[slodave]

I don't think that there is a problem patching a tire for daily driver duty. I would not patch a tire if I tracked the car at all. An occasional drive thru the twisties, eh, I'd keep the patched tire. I know I did that with my canyon setup Scirocco. Never a problem.

[rnln]

lateapex911,
I guess I am a dummy then. I have no idea why you and your boss would patch any other car but not a Porsche? Let's say they both hit a nail/screw at the same spot.

[lateapex911]

1= Speed ratings
2= Much higher liklihood that the tire would actually see "perfromance driving"
3= It's not wise to bet an entire business on a repair that -
- makes less than miniscule profit, and
- creates no positive vibes towards your business.

[Blanco]

I know of a friend who plugged a z-tire and was going highspeed on GA-400 in his Lexus and heard something hit the wheel well. Come to find out the centrifugal force spun out the plug leading to a slow leak. I had to go get him near Holcomb Bridge.

Not cool.

I personally might plug/patch in an emergency to get home, then get it fixed properly by replacing.