Leaks

NOTE: Wheel services that use welding, heating or peening are not approved. An inner tube is not an acceptable service for leaky wheels or tires.

If air pressure in a tire mounted on an aluminum wheel is low, the following procedure should be performed prior to considering wheel replacement.
1. Remove tire and wheel assembly and inspect wheel for structural damage. If none exists, go to Step 2. If the wheel is damaged, replace.
2. With tire mounted on wheel, locate air leak using a water bath or equivalent method, and mark location. Check complete wheel for possible additional leaks. When leaks are marked, dismount tire. Mark the valve location on the tire for proper indexing.
3. On the tire side of the wheel, thoroughly clean the leaking area with Professional Choke and Linkage Cleaner E8AZ-19A501-AA or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESR-M 14P 10-A, or use sandpaper of approximately 80-grit to remove all contamination. Using the sandpaper, score the surface of the wheel to improve adhesion of the sealer. Adequate area around the leak should be prepared to make sure leak is covered. If the valve stem is close to the area, remove it.
4. Use a clean cloth to remove all cleaner or sanding dust.
5. NOTE: Do not use a torch containing oxyacetylene.

Heat the prepared area with Rotunda Heat Gun 107-R0300 or equivalent or propane torch until Aluminum Wheel Repair Compound E7AZ-19554-A or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESA-M4G280-A flows. Apply the hot melt material over the prepared area using a liberal flow and wiping action to ensure coverage of the leaking area. The service is most effective when heat is applied to the brake side of the wheel and sealer is melted by heat in the metal rim.








6. Apply only enough heat to melt the sealer, then remove heat source. After servicing the leak, allow the wheel to cool until it can be handled safely.
7. CAUTION: Use caution when mounting the tire so as not to damage the sealer.

Assemble tire and wheel. Inflate tire to the recommended pressure as indicated on the tire pressure decal.
8. Repeat Step 2 to verify service.
9. When the service is complete, inflate properly, balance the assembly and install on vehicle.