This morning after a stressful hospital outpatient visit, I discovered I had a totally flat tire. The couple in the space next to me were also about to drive out when they noticed too and offered assistance. He got an air compressor out of his boot and pumped in enough air to allow me to drive to a local tire shop, just a few minutes away. (Now, I normally have one in my own boot but after a clear out last week, forgot to put the darn thing back in!)

The impressive bit was the repair itself. Now I haven't had a puncture for years, and in the olden days, the wheel was removed, dunked in a huge vat of water, to seek out the air bubbles showing where the leak was. Then the tire removed from wheel, a suitable patch inserted in the inside of the tire, special adhesive used, then all put back together again with a new 'balance' carried out.

No need for a search as a 2" screw/bolt could clearly be seen embedded in the tire! However,, whilst wheel still on car, he jacked it up, got access to it, pulled it out, then with a special tool inserted a long plug of rubber in the hole, twisted it for tightness, then trimmed it off. Whole thing took less than 5 minutes. Now, has this type of repair been going on for years and I just didn't know, or has some genius been on Dragons Den and transformed puncture repair? 🤣

I carry one of these in my car and have used it successfully in the past although the Adhesive does dry out after a long time once opened but it is the same as Bicycle Tyre repair Adhesive.

Most of them have bright Orange inserts, the enclosed one has Black ones, which I prefer. 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225311705133?epid=603006552&itmmeta=01J0KB4X59HXF2XFV6SKZBA15C&hash=item34759fc82d:g:frsAAOSwAYRkAc~N&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4JLe%2FEvWI%2FNF3XgfXe7c3opcE%2BzVE47HLmuPrpg6YjPHLaaOvYruZ11jY2vKHl%2Bs03Oc0kQG97s%2FC%2FmHLTvEVTXxK0pf%2FbfVrq1DimdCUO5T3LuDKjj6PLn7ZYdAID8qLMzWisEcG%2BX11nIOrAU%2FzD5PW55vafGOiaPmTM4lTRViHgL%2F51NQpmDkenSn8h1lLzUCGD3621sSFRrzAqLxCPuXwSJuHhYogSTCupO0F2mJTAV0cpi2g%2FybW8CT6OyApdaSlM%2FcWJO2BHkMCuffdVgY0B5vdzon5oO66MCQmL5l|tkp%3ABk9SR-DSk-uEZA

My Father had something like that at least 65 years ago.  In a cylindrical tin with the magic letters "Dunlop" embossed on the lid  It had a reamer, mushroom shaped rubber insert/plug, glue and an insertion tool.

Find the puncture, clean it out with the reamer, insert the "mushroom" into the insertion tool, lubricate with rubber solution, push the "mushroom" into the puncture, then pull out the tool, which pulls the "mushroom head" up tight.  Trim off the excess, pump it up with your Dunlop Minor (which I still use), and Bob's Your Uncle !

Worked alright on Dad's crossplies, which were all the rage back then !

16 hours ago, StephenFord said:

However,, whilst wheel still on car, he jacked it up, got access to it, pulled it out, then with a special tool inserted a long plug of rubber in the hole, twisted it for tightness, then trimmed it off. Whole thing took less than 5 minutes. Now, has this type of repair been going on for years and I just didn't know,

These thing cost pence, yet they still charge you a tenner for a puncture repair. Win win.

You can get the kits from Ebay, I never go anywhere without one

4 minutes ago, Paulkp said:

My Father had something like that at least 65 years ago.  In a cylindrical tin with the magic letters "Dunlop" embossed on the lid  It had a reamer, mushroom shaped rubber insert/plug, glue and an insertion tool.

Find the puncture, clean it out with the reamer, insert the "mushroom" into the insertion tool, lubricate with rubber solution, push the "mushroom" into the puncture, then pull out the tool, which pulls the "mushroom head" up tight.  Trim off the excess, pump it up with your Dunlop Minor (which I still use), and Bob's Your Uncle !

Worked alright on Dad's crossplies, which were all the rage back then !

Yes, my father had the exact same thing. 

For anyone using these for the first time it is easier to take the Tyre off because it takes a bit of strength to insert the Insert. You can ream it out with the tool to make things easier but it may not hold pressure as well as a tighter hole.

I am with Stephen here. Always went to the tyre repair shop with a puncture expecting them to have to take the tyre off the rim. One day I actually watched the fitter repair it with a plug from the outside.

Easy I could do that.

The next slow leak was from an embedded screw. I was not set up to do it myself and I knew it was in the safe repairabe area. See here for when and when you cannot do a repair.

 

Took it to the nearest tyre shop, the fitter viewed it from a distance and refused to touch it saying it was outside the safe area offering to fit a new tyre. Turned my back to him and walked away. Purchased a kit like Tizer recommended (it came in 24 hours off ebay) and did the job myself. It does take a fair bit of effort to ream out the hole and push the plug through but it is worth persevering.

ScaniaPBman.

There supposed to an emergency on the side of the road repair , AA and RAC keep them and say temporary repair and to get proper puncture repair patch on asap. 

As an alleged temp repair, they do seem to stayed sealed ok for long term repair though. 

I personally think it's a good idea to keep a kit in the car. . 

21 hours ago, StephenFord said:

This morning after a stressful hospital outpatient visit, I discovered I had a totally flat tire. The couple in the space next to me were also about to drive out when they noticed too and offered assistance. He got an air compressor out of his boot and pumped in enough air to allow me to drive to a local tire shop, just a few minutes away. (Now, I normally have one in my own boot but after a clear out last week, forgot to put the darn thing back in!)

The impressive bit was the repair itself. Now I haven't had a puncture for years, and in the olden days, the wheel was removed, dunked in a huge vat of water, to seek out the air bubbles showing where the leak was. Then the tire removed from wheel, a suitable patch inserted in the inside of the tire, special adhesive used, then all put back together again with a new 'balance' carried out.

No need for a search as a 2" screw/bolt could clearly be seen embedded in the tire! However,, whilst wheel still on car, he jacked it up, got access to it, pulled it out, then with a special tool inserted a long plug of rubber in the hole, twisted it for tightness, then trimmed it off. Whole thing took less than 5 minutes. Now, has this type of repair been going on for years and I just didn't know, or has some genius been on Dragons Den and transformed puncture repair? 🤣

It depends where on the tyre the hole is for that type of repair, wether wall or near it.