Slow leak right main

[0TreeLemur]

The right main tube on our J loses a couple of psi of air pressure per week.   Doesn't seem to be anything in the tire.  Can I just keep topping it off until the next annual or is this more urgent than I think it is? 

[1980Mooney]

13 minutes ago, 0TreeLemur said:

The right main tube on our J loses a couple of psi of air pressure per week.   Can I just keep topping it off until the next annual or is this more urgent than I think it is? 

I don’t see why not. That is no big deal  The Michelin Aviation Tire Manual notes that most airframes recommend a limit of 3% per day. That is about 20% per week  If your main is normally 24psi that is a 5 psi loss per week  

https://www.faasafety.gov/files/gslac/courses/content/269/1100/Michelin ALC-269 CSM 2021.pdf

Edited July 3, 2023 by 1980Mooney

[0TreeLemur]

10 minutes ago, M20Doc said:

Did you try spit on the valve core to see if it’s leaking?  If it isn’t the source, I’d replace the inner tube, a flat at the wrong time can ruin your lower gear doors.

Of the three tires, the right main did not have one of those yellow painted brass/gasketed valve stem caps.  I bought one and put it on the valve stem and made no difference.  It's probably not the valve stem.

[LANCECASPER]

A flat is an inconvenience at home, it can be a huge hassle on a trip.

Time for a Michelin AirStop tube. Ever since I've used Airstops I still check the air regularly but hardly ever have to add.

[Z W]

A tire potentially going flat on or before landing would be a serious safety concern to me.  Could easily lead to a loss of control, a disabled plane on a runway, bent metal, or worse.  I think for what a tube costs, any tube with any suspect issues would get swapped before my next flight.