Hi all,

After being on the road for 25 years, I finally experienced my first EVER puncture haha! 
I used the tyre inflator and gel, got the car home and to the garage a few days after. 
 

However, my tyre inflator seems to have developed an issue. The gauge, when pumping up the tyre went up to around 50psi. But, that’s where it’s stayed. It’s disconnected, but the gauge has stayed at 50psi. I’ve run the unit again as I wondered if the hose was blocked with the gel or something, but no. It’s clearly never been used before with the gel, and I’ve never used it with the gel: I’ve used it a few times when pumping up mine and the children’s bike tyres and it’s always been fine. 

Has the unit had it? It still blows air out, but it’s no good if the gauge is stuck! No manual for it in the owners book, just wondered if there’s any post-use maintenance I should do to it?

Any help appreciated! 

1 hour ago, Danorak said:

The gauge, when pumping up the tyre went up to around 50psi.

I would hope the gauge is broke and it didn't actually pump the tyre up to 50psi

Have you tried unscrewing the gauge (if possible) from the pump?

Ha, yes-I was shocked. But, I’ve never used one of these before, so followed the instructions on the unit itself to the letter, and that was the pressure it directed me to pump it up to. However, it never hit that, it got to a point where it just wouldn’t inflate any further, and it was still noticeably softer than all the other tyres. 
 

I’ve not tried to unscrew the gauge, but (if memory serves me), it is screwed in place with tiny screws on top and underneath. There are a few valves around the unit that look like they have caps as they are ribbed, much like the tyre valves, but they are so tight I get the feeling they’re not supposed to be removed. 
I’ve had a Google, but can’t seem to find any info/experiences similar to this. 

2 hours ago, Danorak said:

Hi all,

After being on the road for 25 years, I finally experienced my first EVER puncture haha! 
I used the tyre inflator and gel, got the car home and to the garage a few days after. 
 

However, my tyre inflator seems to have developed an issue. The gauge, when pumping up the tyre went up to around 50psi. But, that’s where it’s stayed. It’s disconnected, but the gauge has stayed at 50psi. I’ve run the unit again as I wondered if the hose was blocked with the gel or something, but no. It’s clearly never been used before with the gel, and I’ve never used it with the gel: I’ve used it a few times when pumping up mine and the children’s bike tyres and it’s always been fine. 

Has the unit had it? It still blows air out, but it’s no good if the gauge is stuck! No manual for it in the owners book, just wondered if there’s any post-use maintenance I should do to it?

Any help appreciated! 

I'm assuming you are talking about a Ford supplied inflator/gel? Never used one myself, but if the gauge is stuck, I'd give it a gooid whack on the understanding it's broken anyway, so what harm can it do!

https://www.ford.co.uk/help/your-vehicle/how-to-videos/use-your-ford-tyre-inflation-kit

 

Yes, it’s Ford on both counts. 
I did give it a well executed whack in the hope it was just stuck, but no joy. Maybe I’ll give it another whack this weekend. 

Get a Mazda pump if you can - mine is 17 years old and still works OK! Or better still, if you have a apare wheel well of the right diameter get a full-sized spare into it, rasing the boot floor about 3" to accomodate it!

Hi, Its not often i have replied to topics. I lack the expertise these days.  In this instance though your question problem seems a simple one to resolve.

     If the pump is blowing air and its at pressure then its doing 50% of the job. If you get yourself a pressure gauge you can complete the other 50% simply.

Amazon have an AA kit ...AA Tyre Safety Kit for Cars AA1146 - 2 Gauges for Tread Depth and Tyre Pressure Plus 4 Dust Caps. for less than £4.00 which will allow you to finish the job off. In my experience pumps with gauges frequently get knocked about and the gauge then become unreliable so a decent hand held which is kept separately and used with respect is a tool for life. Chuck the pump about if you want but look after the gauge. A good instrument will cost you a bit more than £4 but not as much as a new pump . Good Luck