[Mark]

Mark on April 4, 2024 at 9:47 am #22456

Steve,
I used a small hair dryer that didn’t produce a lot of heat. I initially dried it for about a day and then swelling was quite reduced. During a test flight there was a rhythmic thumping from remaining swelling. I used the hair dryer for a couple more days the tire was back to normal.
Mark

[STEVE]

STEVE on February 5, 2024 at 9:05 am #22377

Hi Andrew and others on this thread;

I asked about using a hair dryer to dry out the avgas because avgas vapors are very easy to ignite. I am not sold on that solution although it sounded like it worked.

I believe if there’s any doubt in the condition of a tire, it’s wise from both an emotional standpoint (no worries) and a financial standpoint (blown tire on landing is no joke–could result in airframe damage) 

I changed a tire once because the strut seal blew out and the tire sat in a puddle of hydraulic fluid for a couple of days. Cheap insurance, cheaper for me than for most because I am an A & P. However, changing a tire in on the list of preventive maintenance tasks a pilot can undertake. But before trying to do it yourself, ask your mechanic to show you how to do it–there are items like torque values and balance spots that must be adhered to.

S

[Andrew Campbell]

Andrew Campbell on February 3, 2024 at 9:49 am #22374

I had this several years ago. A leak from the drain dumped a gallon or 2 onto the tyre and the blister was quite large. I exercised the drain and managed to stop the leak but I’d lost confidence in the tyre. A few days later I flew the aircraft to my engineers and they replaced the tyre. I still thing it was the right decision given the amount of fuel involved.

[STEVE]

STEVE on December 27, 2023 at 8:47 am #22327

Hi Mark,
Thanks for posting your experience with avgas on your airplane tires.

Question, when you say you arranged a hair dryer as a heat source–how long did you heat the tire?

Thanks,
Steve

[Mark]

Mark on December 26, 2023 at 2:38 pm #22325

I had this problem a couple years ago. I detected the leak quickly and changed the valve. The tire was slightly swollen and caused a bump when taxiing. I arranged a hair dryer as a heat source on th affected area. There was a quick decease in the swelling but it ultimately required a few days for complete resolution.

[Joshua Morowitz]

Joshua Morowitz on April 15, 2020 at 8:49 am #19846

I went back two days later to take a photo, but happily there is nothing abnormal visible any longer. I can no longer see anything in the area where the tread looked a little swollen. I plan to keep a close eye on it but will start using it. Thanks.

[STEVE]

STEVE on April 12, 2020 at 1:42 pm #19844

Hi Joshua;
I spoke with the owner of Desser Tire about this issue. Here’s what he said:
“s far as the reader with Avgas dripping on the tires, I would look and feel the tires where they the Avgas was dripping on them.

This is most likely a 50/50 toss up situation that he is in, as far as leaving it on or replacing it.

If the tire has swelled or, has gone soft( softer than the parts of the tire that was not dripped in), then it was most likely saturated and the internal casing structure has become detached from the casing body, causing the swelling. If it is soft, then the tread body has absorbed enough of the Avgas to change the cured rubber properties to be more elastic, hence the tread rubber has “broken” down from its cured state, and will not return to its original rubber state and hardness that it had when coming out of the factory.

If neither of these exist, I would personally fly with it , but be very observant with that tire on every preflight for a while, and look for the above features to appear.”

Check your tire with these thoughts in mind.
If you decide you need a new tire; I recommend that you get it through either Desser or Aircraft Spruce and Specialty.
Please let me know what you find. If there’s damage and it’s visible, please send me a photo.

Thanks,
Steve

[Joshua Morowitz]

Joshua Morowitz on April 11, 2020 at 10:49 pm #19842

I discovered a small leak from my quick drain onto the tire. The tire tread is a little distorted where the avgas dripped onto it (probably for a few days). Is there any concern for catastrophic failure of the tire due to this? Will the tire wear unevenly due to this? I would think this is a fairly common problem, but have never read anything about it? Anyone have any experience with this issue?