BF Goodrich KDW issue with seal

Well, I bought these just under 2.5 years ago for my Camaro. Had them mounted, drove maybe 300 miles on them and then parked it for about 1.5 years while I was overseas. After getting back I checked the car out top to bottom and found no issues. Then this past spring I notice that the front passenger tire was flat. So I pumped it back up, and after noticing no holes or nails, I left it alone. After this happens again I took it to a tire shop to have it repaired. They noticed a "small" spot where it wasn't sealed properly and promptly "fixed" it. I've now been to 3 separate shops but to no avail and I'm getting tired of putting air in it every week (loses 30lbs pressure just sitting in the garage each week). Anyone have any ideas on what I should do? Hate to have to buy a new tire when this one only has <500 miles on it

What do you mean by a small spot that wasn't sealed properly? You mean there is a spot on the bead that is leaking? If the bead is leaking, you would have to install a tube.

Exactly, the bead is leaking. Is it a difficult process to add a tube, or can any tire shop do it for <$100? Thanks for the help.

All they need to do is let the air out of the tire, break the bead on one side, pull the rubber valve out of the wheel, and slide the inner tube inside and pull the tube valve through the hole in the wheel.

I run tubes in my slicks, but they are $25-40 each, because of the mandatory threaded metal valve stem. I suspect a passenger tire inner tube would cost a lot less than that.

You may notice a difference in the handling, since the tube will stiffen the sidewall slightly, and add weight. Might even be a good idea to put tubes in both left and right tires to give them a more "even" feel.

Well, no luck finding anyone in the area who can/will install inner tubes. This past shop I took it to yesterday said that the tires were perfect, and that the problem was with the actual rim. Said over time they chip/deteriorate/whatever which can cause them to not hold a seal with the tire. Does that sound right to everyone? The rims are the 17inch chrome 10-spoke SS rims that a purchased back in 2001.
Again, this car was stored for awhile and then all of a sudden started getting flat tires.

I don't understand why they won't install a tube. I think they just want you to purchase a tire from them. If they say they won't do it then they think you will just buy one.

I thought so too. But I tried several locations, even a "performance" shop (deals mostly with Mustangs) and no one would do it.

One of mine (same tires) does the exact same thing since I bought it. Leaks about 3-5psi a day. And every shop says its fine and seals it. Going to attempt to get it sealed once again in the winter after I get snow tires.

Nothing wrong with the rims cause the day before I got the new tires the old ones were fine, the next day with new tires I get home and hear a hiss, I went back and made them seal it again.

Anyone else want to chime in? I'd hate to buy new rims to find out the tires are the culprit. Anyone else develop slow leaks that were attributed to the rim "going bad"? Again, these are almost new tires (mileage wise) that I've had zero problems with in two years.

Also, the same thing is happening to the passenger rear tire as well. Not as bad, it loses 10psi a week. Getting a little annoying.

Thanks

Wasn't there a major problem with the 2001 chrome SS wheels? I think I've seen posts here from others with flaking problems, or something. Is it possible the flaking is allowing the air to slip under the chrome below the tire bead? Is there even any chrome where the tire bead sits on the wheel?

you could try and put some bead seal on it. Most shops, around here at least, just put the tire on with no problems, so some bead seal might do the trick.

Just wanted to finalize this thread:

After a lot of trying to get the tires to stay sealed I decided to go another route. I got a great deal on some chrome TT2's and swapped them out. The KDW's went right on and I haven't had any issues with them losing air. I inspected the old 10-spokes and I didn't see any locations where the chrome was flaking; however, there were some pitting along the edges that may have caused the problem (although I'm not sure how they got there). Thanks for eveyone's help and I hope it doesn't happen to anyone else.

Just for the sake of anyone searching this thread, I have the KDW's in 275/40 17 and had the EXACT same problem with them. Perfectly good-looking tire would be fine one day, then the next morning I would come out to the car and it would be flat. Would have to jack the car up to get the tire to hold air without leaking it out, then it would be fine again for awhile, and repeat. I too swapped out the old wheels and kept the tires, but will post again if it happens.