Fluid for weight

johnk · Jan 4, 2005

I read a few posts where people said it's not good to use windshield wash or anti freeze etc in your tires for added ballast because of the corrosion. I don't understand the problem when you are running tubes.

greg_g · Jan 4, 2005

You got it backwards John. Sodium chloride is the one that causes all the rust. Antifreeze and windshield fluid are among those fluides recommended alternatives to sodium chloride. When air-filled tubes perforate, you get a flat. When sodium chloride-filled tubes perforate, you get rust. Even when the tubes haven't perforated yet, the valve core/stem/hole fall victim to rust.

//greg//

johnk · Jan 5, 2005

Thanks for the info. Windshield wash is good to about -20 so I think that would be preferable over anti freeze. Is this a good assumption??

greg_g · Jan 5, 2005

( Thanks for the info. Windshield wash is good to about -20 so I think that would be preferable over anti freeze. Is this a good assumption?? )
Well, you're going for weight here. The specific gravity of water is one (1.0). Anything with a SG lower than that is lighter than water, conversely anything with a SG higher than 1.0 is heavier. Go for heavy.

I'm not sure that windshield wash fluid is much more than water, dye, and isopropyl. Isoproply being alcohol, is prone to evaporating. Pretty soon you're left with water and dye. Water freezes. Frozen ballast is hard on tires and rims.

Given no other choices, I'd go with antifreeze. Besides that, you might get it for nothing. I got used antifreeze from the local Jiffy Lube. They were glad to get rid of it.

If you don't mind spending a few bucks more, there are also commercial preparations - made specifically for tire ballasting

//greg//

Soundguy · Jan 6, 2005

I think CACL or calcium chlorid is more often used in tires .. though I supose you could use NACL.. Still way corrosive though.. course freeze resistant too.

Many use the winshield washer stuff, not because it is heavier than water.. but because it and water mixed are heavier than air.. and fairly freeze tolerant... Might find it in methanols as well.

Antifreeze.. especially the eco safe stuff is a great choice.

Beet juice ( rimguard ) is another choice. Probably the heaviest.. and also most expensive too.

Soundguy

dancce · Jan 6, 2005

We Have used the windshield washer fluid for ballast in our customers tractors for about three years now---I have it in my tractors as well. We get it in 55 gallon drums in concentrated form. It has the same low temp characteristics as antifreeze--so we add water to come up with the desired mix.
We used to use antifreeze---which works well also---however, it is still environmentally unfriendly--tire shops do not like to deal with it. Whereas windshield washer fluid can be poured out on the ground, with little danger to the environment. Niether are as heavy as calcium chloride, but the difference is neglible, considering the benefits.

dancce

greg_g · Jan 6, 2005

( I think CACL or calcium chlorid is more often used in tires .. though I supose you could use NACL.. Still way corrosive though.. course freeze resistant too.)
Agreed. I guess I could/should have mentioned both for clarity sake

//greg//

ToolManRick · Jan 6, 2005

Hey guys, I have never liquid filled a tire and have a couple of questions. What's the common method for getting the liquid into the tire, and would a fill of liquid above axle level defeat the center of gravity principle? I'm am seriously considering the extra ballast.

greg_g · Jan 6, 2005

The typical fill level is about 70%. That's normally achieved by positioning the valve stem at the 12 o'clock location. There's still actually a lot of tire above that. Then a purpose-built two way valve is installed to temporarily replace the regular valve stem. It lets the existing air out as it is displaced by the incoming fluid. You can buy these valves for a do-it-yourself job. But quite frankly, I'd rather pay my Goodyear store to do it for me.

Anyway, once fluid comes out of the installation valve - instead of air - you've theoretically achieved the 70% fill. Remove the two-way, replace the valve stem, move on to the next tire.

//greg//

Soundguy · Jan 7, 2005

Yep.. like greg-g says.. Napa and tsc carry the little bugger.. it has a hose connector on the end for a garden hose. What many people do is put their washer fluid or a-freeze or whatever in a smaler container and use a hose/funnel to get it into the adapter.. then water the rest up.

Keep in mind water is about 8# per gallon without stuff in soloution... filled tires get real heavy real fast!

Soundguy