this is really starting to get annoying. about a month ago my dad was driving in his 2000 platinum GS300. he said he heard a really loud BANG, going about 40 mph. he got out, checked all tires, as he was sure he had a blowout....but nothing. he says it sounded almost like those empty 1 gallon sparkletts bottles being popped or stepped on, but he is quite sure he didnt step on anything. now, the right rear (#4) tire has trouble maintaining air pressure, but visibly, there is no puncture/nail/etc. at fist he drove cautiously, but now he's like forget it, and went back to driving normally. i guess i could have the tire checked at next oil change, dismounted and separated from the wheel. it is the stock platinum series wheel with the DUNLOPs. anyone have any ideas?

 

Take it to a tire place and have them check it (I've usually had them do it for free). They can pull the entire wheel/tire, visually inspect it or submerge it to locate leaks.

Those weird punctures seem to happen where you don't see 'em.

Good luck!

 

If he has no punctures in his tire, check the valve stem, it could simply be loose.

 

Maybe a long shot, but it could be some oxidation on the wheel.

 

Could be a bent rim as well. Have a tire place check the wheel out and you'll get the proper diagnosis. All we can do on here is speculate for you

 

Bottom line is, somebody (and it can be you) needs to take the wheel and tire off and swab the beads, the valve stem and the tread with a mixture of soapy water. The bubbles will tell you where the leak is but you will be going to a tire place to get it fixed, regardless, so why not save yourself the trouble and let them do it all?

 

thanks for the help guys. for the time being, i dont have the time or energy to dismount the tire and find a bucket big enough to fit the tire in to submerge it...so i gunked a can of fix a flat spray in there....i know i dont have a puncture FOR SURE but i did it anyway. i guess i will have my dad take it to the shop on HIS own time and with HIS money $$$$

 

If you are near Torrance, go to American Tire on Hawthorne. They fix tire leaks for free (if that's what the problem is).