This can only be my own decision but maybe someone can give me their opinion!

I have got Pirelli Scorpions
I noticed a rear tyre had what I thought was a piece of gravel stuck in the tread
Tried to poke it out then discovered the gravel was the head of a nail
Got it out eventually and it looks like one of those old hand made nails with a diamond shaped head; the diamond shaped head was what I saw in the tread. The nail portion had gone into the tyre by about quarter of an inch and the head then bent over.

After removing it I waited for a few hours and there was no loss in pressure.
1st decision was to change it with the brand new spare
2nd decision was to put the offending tyre and wheel in the boot and use it as a 'fairly dependable' spare
3rd decison was to ask you all if I should just bury my head and take a chance if I ever need to actually use it
Just because the tyre has not deflated does it mean its integrity is still ok after having the offending nail 'thingy' in it? Now - Black 2012 FR2 SD4 XS really miss the RRS
Gone - Black 2008 3.6 TDV8 RRS orgasmic
Gone - Black 2006 2.7 HSE RRS problems
Gone - Green 2008 SWB Defender fully loaded; brill
Gone - Green 2005 Disco diesel; brill
Gone - Black 2003 Disco diesel; brill

Same happened to me a couple of months ago and took it to my local trusted tyre fitter for advice. He pulled it out, and said that as the tyre was fairly new, and the point hadn't penetrated into the inside of the tyre, to keep an eye on it for a couple of weeks, and it would probably be ok. Until I saw this post, had forgotten about it. Have done a couple of thousand miles since then at motorway speeds. Stll ok.

Why don't you go and have a mushroom patch fitted at the point of penetration? Will be as good as new then.  Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

There is a liquid available that you pour into a deflated tyre and then reinflate. It sloshes around inside for ever or until there is a penetrating puncture and it then seals the hole. It is widely used by motor bicyclists who do not have spare wheels. One canister to do two bike wheels would be enough for one Freelander wheel. Some people say that the liquid makes it difficult to repair a puncture in the traditional way, but if it works then one would never need to.

Peace of mind for a few ponds. Everyone can spread it - Anyone can catch it. Stay home - the life you save can be your own!

Agree with the mushroom patch repair, why would you want to risk it not knowing if/when it would fail

My opinion is if you are the only person that travels in your car then do whatever, however if there are others then take the responsible route.

But why would it 'fail'?

A nail or whatever has found its way into the rubber but not deep enough to cause a puncture. He's pulled it out, and the air has stayed where it belongs. Why is it destined to fail?

Boycey wrote:

But why would it 'fail'?

A nail or whatever has found its way into the rubber but not deep enough to cause a puncture. He's pulled it out, and the air has stayed where it belongs. Why is it destined to fail?

I agree, don't see what all the fuss is about, it's either punctured ( in which case the air escapes ) or it's not ( in which case the air does not escape ).

Iain

The nail or whatever has entered between the tread where the rubber is at its thinnest and less than the quarter of an inch of penetration, so it's likely it entered the radial belting leaving the carcass as the only means of keeping the air in. It's a weak spot to me and I would get it plugged.

Opinion asked for and opinion given.

It could be it was nearly, but not quite through to the inside. In which case, flexing during normal
use could make the hole enlarge and cause a deflation.

Thanks for all your replies

I thought repairs were done from the inside. But the nail didn't penetrate completely through it

Never heard of a mushroom patch, I assume that is fitted from the outside

Devondave's point is the one that has been niggling me, so I will take it in and probably get talked into buying a replacement Now - Black 2012 FR2 SD4 XS really miss the RRS
Gone - Black 2008 3.6 TDV8 RRS orgasmic
Gone - Black 2006 2.7 HSE RRS problems
Gone - Green 2008 SWB Defender fully loaded; brill
Gone - Green 2005 Disco diesel; brill
Gone - Black 2003 Disco diesel; brill

Boycey wrote:

But why would it 'fail'?

A nail or whatever has found its way into the rubber but not deep enough to cause a puncture. He's pulled it out, and the air has stayed where it belongs. Why is it destined to fail?

Thanks for the link Steve, all clear now

So it's my decision - my tyre isn't punctured, so I will have to puncture it properly to do the correct repair
Think I'll have a drink and get the bus Now - Black 2012 FR2 SD4 XS really miss the RRS
Gone - Black 2008 3.6 TDV8 RRS orgasmic
Gone - Black 2006 2.7 HSE RRS problems
Gone - Green 2008 SWB Defender fully loaded; brill
Gone - Green 2005 Disco diesel; brill
Gone - Black 2003 Disco diesel; brill

camper2 wrote:

Thanks for the link Steve, all clear now

So it's my decision - my tyre isn't punctured, so I will have to puncture it properly to do the correct repair
Think I'll have a drink and get the bus