PDA

View Full Version : Space saver or repair foam can?



TheSebringOne
26-09-2008, 10:57 PM
Was thinking of ditching the space saver & getting a repair foam can, but a mate who works on product development for Land Rover/Jaguar says the product used to remove the foam from your tyre, can damage the inside of your alloys? Has anyone heard of this?

What is the weight of the spare and is it better to keep it in the front to keep optimum weight on the front? :)

rsevo6
27-09-2008, 05:17 AM
Was thinking of ditching the space saver & getting a repair foam can, but a mate who works on product development for Land Rover/Jaguar says the product used to remove the foam from your tyre, can damage the inside of your alloys? Has anyone heard of this?

What is the weight of the spare and is it better to keep it in the front to keep optimum weight on the front? :)

I think it is a little different:
The repair foam coming out of the spraycan type is when settled almost impossible (only mechanical removal possible, as in grinding off) to remove from the tyre.
Almost all tyreshops tell me you have to get a new tyre after using that stuff, unless you have it removed ASAP. This must be done within a few hours after application, before it has fully hardened.

There is however another type of anti leak stuff that is supposed to be fully safe, it is called "green slime".

Comes in a plastic bottle, different sizes for different application (moped/motorcycle/car/big car).
You empty it in the flat tyre, pressurize the tire with a aircompressor and drive off.
It is supposed to be harmless to rim and tyre and can be easily removed when professionally repairing the tyre.
Can be bought as just the "slime" bottle which is fine for the NSX as we already have the compressor in the NSX, or as kit complete with small compressor.
I have put the bottle/kit in all my cars just in case...

Silver Surfer
27-09-2008, 06:01 AM
Once you have injected the can, centrifugal force will make it line the tyre. The puncture in the tyre is then sealed. Do you still need to change the tyre?? i would of thought you will need to change the tyre when the tread is low in the usual manor..no?

SS

Senninha
27-09-2008, 07:17 AM
James,

Unless you are starting a weight loss program for your NSX, I would say to leave the tyre in situ. The NSX weight distribution was calculated to include placement of said item in the nose and aid steering feel.

If you want to start losing weight, I have been told the rear is the place to start.

What are you trying to achieve by removing the tyre? If it is a small performance gain then for most of us it will be the driver that needs the attention, not the NSX.


There is however another type of anti leak stuff that is supposed to be fully safe, it is called "green slime".

I have used this on m/bikes but not cars ... it is added when fitting new tyres and remains 'active' throughout the life of the tyre, typically 4k miles on the rear of most sports or sport-tourers.


i would of thought you will need to change the tyre when the tread is low in the usual manor..no?

I have used the foam in the NSX and all is well. The rears are up for a change soon so the tyres will be replaced ... I see no point in removing a sealed tyre to rub off the foam when it is sealing the puncture??

Regards, Paul

AR
27-09-2008, 07:47 AM
http://www.screwfix.com/sfd/i/cat/05/p4755705_l.jpg

+
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/news/images/newvan.jpg

+
http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/3062779/2/istockphoto_3062779_new_20_pound_notes.jpg

Plus a little faith and good luck and you should be OK!

eclipse1501
27-09-2008, 09:27 AM
I was a tyre retailer myself and any foam is only intended for slow punctures where your lucky enough to catch the problem very early. Its then still only a strict "get you home" excercise as once the tyre has been compromised its speed rating/safety is null and void without a specialist repair....and even then I think a V rated tyre can only be fixed once...and if its borderline anyway who wants to take an NSX out in the winter on imperfect rubber? The puncture is usually completely flat by the time you see it and sometimes already damaged around the bead/wall of the tyre after being driven on while flat (anti "run flat" tyres - no comment :rolleyes: ). My advice keep all your "get you home" options open and that means the space saver plus foam safey in the car where they should be.

jaytip
27-09-2008, 01:43 PM
I think on a lot of the older cars,then the foam repair is the only viable option.How many of you who have a car that is 10 years and older,has looked at the spacesaver :eek: On my 92 and 96 it was split on the edges due to age and deteriation.I certainly wouldn't have trusred it on the car.
Oh and just for a laugh,price a new one up with Honda

JQD84983
27-09-2008, 03:05 PM
As my brother found out with his 350Z foam in a can cannot fill a blowout!
;)

TheSebringOne
28-09-2008, 10:06 AM
Thanks guys, My main concern is whether it was calculated to the overall weight and affects the balance of the car front to rear or vice a versa. Knowing Honda R & D/design and with the then F1 tech/features, its must be needed to add some ballast to the front, so on that basis, going to leave it in now! :) The weight reduction from the rear or more like the middle, is the extra stone gained since I tied the knot! Let the weight reduction commence!! :D

TheSebringOne
28-09-2008, 10:13 AM
Thanks Jaytip, better check the condition of the spare as its never been used! :)

simonprelude
28-09-2008, 03:37 PM
As tyres have a shelf life of 5 years then I'm guessing most space savers will have perished by now.

The holts tyreweld is safe to use in both respects of the alloy will not be damaged and it just washes out of the tyre so a repair can be made.

DON'T USE TYRE FOAM !!

JQD84983
28-09-2008, 07:22 PM
Thanks guys, My main concern is whether it was calculated to the overall weight and affects the balance of the car front to rear or vice a versa. Knowing Honda R & D/design and with the then F1 tech/features, its must be needed to add some ballast to the front, so on that basis, going to leave it in now! :) The weight reduction from the rear or more like the middle, is the extra stone gained since I tied the knot! Let the weight reduction commence!! :D

You know I hadn't thought of that but with the Japanese attention to detail I bet they took something into account!

Good luck with the weight reduction and let us know how it goes!

NSX 2000
28-09-2008, 07:53 PM
As tyres have a shelf life of 5 years then I'm guessing most space savers will have perished by now.


The one fitted to W2 is over 8 and half years old and would appear to be working fine

http://nsxcb.co.uk/testvb/showthread.php?t=5279

James, I would recommend you keep it on, you never know you might be taking the NSX on that long run on a Sunday when..........

you wished you kept the spare.

Paul.

Senninha
28-09-2008, 08:06 PM
James, I would recommend you keep it on, you never know you might be taking the NSX on that long run .............

What have you been drinking Paul, we all know that this is highly unlikely, even by James' own admission! :)

TheQuietOne
29-09-2008, 06:09 AM
James, I would recommend you keep it on, you never know you might be taking the NSX on that long run on a Sunday when..........

I think a long run for James is down the drive and back into the garage...:D

markc
29-09-2008, 09:18 AM
You know I hadn't thought of that but with the Japanese attention to detail I bet they took something into account!

Good luck with the weight reduction and let us know how it goes!

I guess this is taking the orginal question off topic but as the point has been raised here...

Removing the spare wheel/tyre has to be one of the easiest weight saving measures available, approx 30lbs. Yes it will affect the weight ditribution slightly but fitting an aftermarket exhaust and removing the CD changer (4lbs, if you have one) along with some or all of the tool kit (15lbs) will largely restore the balance. Locate your can of foam/goo where the spare spare wheel lived if you want to further assist original weight distribution :)

Certainly all this stuff should come out for a track day and doing so will make certainly not make the car slower.

Cheers

Mark

mutley
29-09-2008, 05:08 PM
[b]As tyres have a shelf life of 5 years then I'm guessing most space savers will have perished by now.[/b

Funnily enough, on one borilg slow day I thought I would inflate my spare to see what it was like, in it's in pretty bad shape, there is no way I would drive on it.

How much are they to replace? anyone bought one recently?

Jim

simonprelude
29-09-2008, 06:04 PM
Funnily enough, on one boring slow day I thought I would inflate my spare to see what it was like, in it's in pretty bad shape, there is no way I would drive on it.

How much are they to replace? anyone bought one recently?

Jim

From memory around £500 eek.

mutley
29-09-2008, 08:20 PM
From memory around £500 eek.

500, well they can ram that!!!!

Jim

TheSebringOne
29-09-2008, 09:34 PM
Thanks all, going to keep space saver & get a repair can too!

Guys, I will let you on a secret! sush! :shh: I will whisper! I sometimes find the urge to get in her, ie open door, sit in her, fire her up & come on down 8200! :yes: Oh before I get in her, got to disconnect the trickle charger & push her onto the drive as modern garages are tight! Never got round to knocking two into one! :rolleyes:

I walk to the local shops, I push her from garage to drive & vice a versa and I have a great favourite countryside back road thats amazing that I do it at least once a month, in addition to other destinations! My moto is less is more! :)

simonprelude
29-09-2008, 09:44 PM
Thanks all, going to keep space saver & get a repair can too!

Guys, I will let you on a secret! sush! :shh: I will whisper! I sometimes find the urge to get in her, ie open door, sit in her, fire her up & come on down 8200! :yes: Oh before I get in her, got to disconnect the trickle charger & push her onto the drive as modern garages are tight! Never got round to knocking two into one! :rolleyes:

I walk to the local shops, I push her from garage to drive & vice a versa and I have a great favourite countryside back road thats amazing that I do it at least once a month, in addition to other destinations! My moto is less is more!

................and the award for random posts goes to ;)

Senninha
30-09-2008, 05:44 AM
........... I sometimes find the urge to get in her, ie open door, sit in her, fire her up & come on down 8200! :yes: .............. I have a great favourite countryside back road thats amazing that I do it at least once a month, in addition to other destinations! ............My moto is less is more! :)

I'm no engineer but based on your info, I calculate that your monthly driving is in the region of 84 miles. Far more knowledgeable people than I suggest that left to sit, the fluids in the car will break down and be less efficient. There will also be a build up of condensation that will require a good run to fully burn this off.

Each to their own James, but in this case I think that your motto translates into less use is more damage unless you are doing more miles than you suggest, and/or changing fluids far more regularly than an annual service.

We all know and benefit from the reliability of Honda engineering compared to say F car reliabilty, but most of their issues are born out of lack of use. I hope you're not damaging the long term reliabilty through lack of use.

Now there's a strong rumour we could be in for a bit of late summer through October. Make the most of it James, take your new bride out for a few romantic dinners a long way from home. That way you all benefit as you get a good drive, your wife gets a romantic evening (or lunchtime) meal, and the NSX gets dried out, does what it does best and also gets some fresh fuel as the stuff in the tank has probably gone off waiting to be used.

You know it makes sense, you bought it to enjoy it, so get the keys, get the dinner booked and enjoy those smiles :)

regards, Paul