Air Stop Tubes- backordered at AS for months?!?

[0TreeLemur]

I ordered a 6" Air Stop tube from AS a few months ago as a precaution because one of the mains is leaking a few psi per week.   It's been on back-order every since!   Anybody have a good suggestion for another source having them in stock, or is this a widespread problem?    I figured it was easier to ask this crowd than spend time bird-dogging.

Thx.

Fred

[EricJ]

I ordered one last November and it finally showed up about a month ago.    They may have depleted a production run filling backorders.

[Andy95W]

By any chance, is it leaking from the Schrader valve?  Easy to check, just take off the cap and put a little spit on the nipple.  If it’s leaking, use a Schrader valve tool and tweak it closed.

When I replaced my tires and tubes 2 years ago, I bought the Leakguard tubes from AeroClassic.  Made from the same material as the Michelin Airstop tubes. They are in stock at Aircraft Spruce.  Also available with a 70° stem for old Cleveland wheels like mine.  I only have to add air twice a year: once at annual, and once at the start of winter when the temperatures drop.

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/lgpages/aero_tube_600_20.php

[0TreeLemur]

On 8/31/2023 at 10:24 PM, Andy95W said:

By any chance, is it leaking from the Schrader valve?

Checked it yesterday.   A couple of months ago I replaced the cap with one of those yellow, gasketed valve stem caps.   When I unscrewed that cap yesterday, I think I heard a little "pop" sound.   Clue #1.    I put a little spit on there and it seemed to bubble once after maybe 30 seconds.   So it does seem that the valve might be leaking.   However, since the cap I put on it was pressurized, the cap is leaking at a rate slower than the valve at least.   Not enough info to confirm/reject tube leak.    I'll get a valve tool and tighten it up and go from there.

[Fly Boomer]

56 minutes ago, 0TreeLemur said:

Checked it yesterday.   A couple of months ago I replaced the cap with one of those yellow, gasketed valve stem caps.   When I unscrewed that cap yesterday, I think I heard a little "pop" sound.   Clue #1.    I put a little spit on there and it seemed to bubble once after maybe 30 seconds.   So it does seem that the valve might be leaking.   However, since the cap I put on it was pressurized, the cap is leaking at a rate slower than the valve at least.   Not enough info to confirm/reject tube leak.    I'll get a valve tool and tighten it up and go from there.

Or just replace it (the valve core).  It shouldn't have to be very tight if everything is clean.

[dzeleski]

On 9/3/2023 at 3:44 PM, Fly Boomer said:

Or just replace it (the valve core).  It shouldn't have to be very tight if everything is clean.

They are cheap too, I keep a few spare cores in everything that uses them.
 

Another trick is to fully depress the valve several times in a row and then refill the tire. Sometimes some dirt gets in there and stops it from sealing all the way.

[laytonl]

I ordered my in February from AS.  Still no show.  I’ve tried a few other vendors without success.  Lee

[Fly Boomer]

3 hours ago, laytonl said:

I ordered my in February from AS.  Still no show.  I’ve tried a few other vendors without success.  Lee

Tube?

[laytonl]

Yep, got tires

[hypertech]

AirStop was unobtainium when I did my tires.  I went with the GoodYear.  So far seems ok.  Test will be when the temps start fluctuating in the fall / winter.