stopping a leak in a basketball

[mm]

I have a Wilson basketball that leaks strangely.

From the input valve, about 2 little bubbles a second.

Any suggestions on how to make it stop leaking?

What's strange is that when it was pretty firm, from a 6-inch hand pump, it didn't leak at all it seemed, for weeks. But when I got a better pump, an 18-inch pump that has a thing you can stand on while you pump, I got it up to full firmness, and only a day later, it was softer than when it stayed pretty firm for weeks.

I tried putting as much spit as I could on the needle, but I think most of it got wiped off when I put the needle in.

[W. Wells]

[Lawrence]

You could use the plugs that are use for auto tires you buy from any auto part store. Just air the ball up to the max the insert the plug. Then you cut it flush. Otherwise buy a new one.

[Hayes]

Yes, stop putting air in it.

[mm]

I don't think that will work in the input valve of the ball.

Don't you think anything much thicker than a basketball needle would rip the black valve?

Maybe the same rubber cement on a nail about the size of the needle would work better than spit, although it might not get inside either.

[mm]

I have another basketball.

What is the name of this group, xxx.repair, right? :)

[Steve B]

Put a bit of Slime in it. A product for ATV tires. Don't put a lot. The ball will roll a little wobbly until the Slime gets distributed evenly around the inner surface. Once it gets to where the leak is, it will dry and harden, and you won't have to put air in it again or as often.

If that doesn't work, buy another basketball.

Steve

[Bob]

Put a whole bottle of Slime in there - it'll make the game much more interesting!

[Just Joshin]

I wonder if "Fix-A-Flat" would work.

J/K

tom @

[D in VA]

replying to Just Joshin, D in VA wrote: yes; use the inflation needle and keep the ball so the injected foam gets all over the inside of the ball at the inflation hole. Pump some oar in the ball so it will bounce and bounce it so the foam covers the inside of the valve. Clean the inflation needle by blowing it empty. Wait a day and inflate to normal pressure.

[Shadow]

Well, I suppose it's valid for historical reasons, though the OP has probably saved up enough over the last 12 years to buy a new one. ;) []'s

[p chan]

replying to Shadow, p chan wrote: I just stuck a piece of cooked rice in mine stopped the leak then re inflated put another piece in and burnt the rubber with a lighter for extra measure bout to head to the court to test it out