Have the alloy wheels on our 2003 Ford Focus become porous, leading to loss of tyre pressure?

One tyre of my wife's 2003 Ford Focus gradually deflates from 30PSI to around 10PSI in the space of about a week. I have renewed the tyre and the valve twice but the problem persists. The tyre dealer can't find any fault with the alloy wheel but presumably there must be and it will have to be renewed? This would mean replacing all four wheels to obtain a match. Would I be safe buying secondhand?

Asked on 16 November 2013 by JM, via email

Answered by Honest John

Alloy wheels can become porous after a few years and 10 years is more than a few years. You could get a used set of steel wheels from a parts specialist or breaker, usually with used tyres still on: www.honestjohn.co.uk/useful-websites/parts-accesso.../. Or get a set of four 16-inch TUV-approved Alutec alloys with a 5-year guarantee for £335 from www.tyremen.co.uk. You have to inform your insurer of the ‘modification’.

Tags: alloy wheels tyre pressures wheel sizes

Similar questions

What's causing my 2001 Toyota Yaris to lose tyre pressure?

My 2001 Toyota Yaris is loosing tyre pressure on all four wheels even after treatment by Inchcape for corrosion. I have to top up every few days.

Why are the tyres slowly deflating on my Renault Laguna Privilege?

Now that my wife has retired, as I have, we can't justify two cars, so my "too big" 2001/51 Renault Laguna Privilege 1.8, with 80,000 on the clock, will have to go. I say this with some reluctance, because...

My Ford Galaxy's wheels have become porous and leak air - will a refurb solve this?

I have a 2003 Ford Galaxy fitted with original alloy wheels. These have become scraped and have slight signs of corrosion on them. This is my first vehicle with alloys and none of the tyres hold their...