Tires Well I did it this time! FROZEN TIRES HELP!

[mcd176]

Hey Guys,

As you can see from the title I messed up royaly, Over the summer I filled my tires with water and did not think about draining them untill it was to late, 5 days of 10 degree weather and they are froze solid! I know I am a dumb A**

Luckily the tires did not burst!

Here is what I have done so far, I took the tires off and they are in my garage, i have a torpedo heater with a thermostat keeping the garage 60 degrees, One of the tires is thawing nicely so far and I have managed to break the bead in a section that is unfroze, I was thinking of dumping in sidewalk salt to aid in meltin and maybe get me thru till spring thaw, but I wanted to see if you guys think that will help befor I go thru it.

My only other option is to just leave them in the garage and keep dumping the diesel to the torpedo heater till they thaw out.

Let me know what you guys think!

 

[mcd176]

I also just found that Gemplers has 50 lb bags of calcium chloride flakes for $25.00 a bag, would that be better than rock salt?

 

[koopster]

no driveway salt! This will make a nasty mess for everything it touches.
Keep a tarped area or blaneted area around the tires to hold in the heat. don't let the torpedo heater stay too close...I have seen rubber mudflaps start to burn from them. Have the valve stem opened and on the bottom to allow melted ice to drain off.

It will take a bit but once the rubber and rim warms it will melt off. The tarped area will keep the burner from heating the whole area.

 

[bp fick]

Don't use salt!! That heater will do the job. You don't have to have the tires 90 degrees, just 55-60, if you can, and they will melt nicely. Mop up, squeegie as you go along. You don't/won't have to absolutely drain them free and clear of water either. Just get that water down to say, 20%-25% of the volume.

Go get a fill kit and buy a couple cases of RV anti-freeze. It's non toxic and will do the job. Best Wishes

 

[dex3361]

You will come to regret it if you use salt or calcium in your tubeless tires. I would keep the heat on and they will thaw out. Never have I had any good experiences with corrosive fluids in a tire rim.

 

[20 20]

Another vote AGAINST salt or calcium for that matter. It'll probably take some time to thaw them have patience, then fill with antifreeze

 

[dex3361]

What about lacing a heat tape around the tires and throwing a blanket over it.

 

[DANOCHEESE]

Give it time they will thaw. Forget the salt. THis is jsut like thawing out the thanksgiving turkey. Be patient.

 

[mcd176]

Thanks for the help everyone, I will take the advice and forget the calcium, I was just trying to think of a way to speed up the process and then flush them out in the spring and refill with antifreeze or windshield fluid, however I understand if I add calcium I will probably never get it all the way out anyhow.

I do have a spare heat tape, that is a great idea, I will round up some blankets and try that along with the torpedo heater, it has my garage around 65 degrees and ther is now some slushing and draining from the valve stems.

I will go pick up some more diesel for the heater and let em thaw I figure they will take 3 or 5 days to thaw??

And the worst part we are supposed to get up to 8" of snow starting 2morrow night

I am an idiot, as my wife just told me

 

[Diamondpilot]

Roll them in the house and put them in front of the fire place. Your wife will really get on you then.

Chris