SquidBusters Archive - Tool Review - Mushroom plug tire puncture tool from JcWhitney

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Tool Review - Mushroom plug tire puncture tool from JcWhitney
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Posted by: Falcn

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/...ZX/appId-385687

As some of you know I had picked up a screw in the front tire of the VFR. I thought it would be a dandy time to try this product that I have owned for quite some time and had not had the opportunity to use.

Let me just say it looks neat, but doesn't work for doo-doo. I tried everything I could think of to get the litte mushroom plugs to go through the insertion tubes. I lubed them up with vulcanizing agent so they would slide easier, tried them plain the first time, etc.

I followed the instructions to the letter (what horrible instructions they were) and the gun would just not force the plug through the guide to get the head out of the tube. The plug usually ended up bunched up in the barrel where the plunger was trying to push on it.

I went with the old standby - rope plugs. Tire is still holding air!

Luckily the screw went through the middle of the tire and not near the side of the tire. I don't plan on running on it long like this, but I just *HAD* to go for a ride since moving. All the stress was killing me.

Anyway - there it is. I had no luck with this JcWhitney sold mushroom plug insertion gun. Maybe there are more professional grade ones that will work better.

Posted by: Steve

Well, at least you got that tire holding air and you got to go for a ride... Good thing the VFR needs new tires anyway. That always makes little incodents like that easier to swallow...

Posted by: pseudonym

Thanks for the review!

Posted by: penst8grad

Is that air powered? We had a similar one when I worked at the dealership that shot plugs out that looked like that. It worked ok, but would often jam like you are describing. The best cure was to use the 7/16th tube and the 5/16th plugs, if I remember correctly.

Posted by: Falcn

Steve, I tried the thin plugs with the wider tube - still jammed every single time. The plunger would just not drive the plug straight.

Posted by: Icemanrulz

Man you guys have balz! No way I would ride on a tire with a plug.

Posted by: penst8grad

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcn

Steve, I tried the thin plugs with the wider tube - still jammed every single time. The plunger would just not drive the plug straight.

Doesn't sound like it's compressed air forcing it through. I can't imagine being able to get enough force on a plunger to do the job. It does look cool, and thanks for the review that could save someone some $$

Posted by: Falcn

Oops forgot to answer your question, no it is not pneumatic. It is a pistol grip that progressively moves the plunger forward. I couldn't get enough pressure on the plug to force it through, and 99% of the time, the body of the plug was so twisted it wouldn't have mattered if it was nuclear powered, the plug wouldn't have survived intact.

Posted by: Prayer Warrior

I've run on a plug/patch, not anything like that.

Posted by: Falcn

I stick with rope plugs to get me home now - then patch once I have time to take the tire off. I threw that stupid tool out.

Posted by: HarleyJohn

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcn

I stick with rope plugs to get me home now - then patch once I have time to take the tire off. I threw that stupid tool out.

I've used the rope plugs on new tires, and then run the tires down to the threads, never a problem. Plugs last longer than the tires.

Posted by: Falcn

Yeah I have run rope plugs for a good bit on some tires - my last set of BT's I got a screw in the tire like 500 miles into it's life. I rope plugged it and kept an eye on pressure - never a problem. It's all about the piece of mind you are comfortable with - what you think you need to do to be safe. I've never seen a rope plug come out...but that doesn't mean it cant happen.