Tires Liquid in the Tires?

[W00dman]

I just noticed the rear tires on my Bolens lawn tractor were low, I bought this use by the way. I took the caps off and found a liquid pouring out that can't be water as it is -20 C here. Any ideas what it is, why it is there and can I drain it so I can fill the tire?

 

[glc24]

When you say caps you mean the plastic caps that cover the valve core?
If that's the case,the valve cores are more than likely shot, probably from corrosion,caused by the calcium chloride that is in your tires for weight/traction. You may be able to remove the core with an extractor,if not,new tubes or new rubber valves are in order.
If you aren't familiar,working with tires,it might be better to remove the wheels and take them to a tire shop,or someone who can assist you.

Greg

 

[ddigger]

Its there for better traction, its probably a water anti freeze mix. fix the leak and leave it. Go ahead and use air to increase the psi. Never fill a tire more than 75% with liquid, air for the remainder to bring to disired psi.

 

[W00dman]

Yes caps being the metal or plastic caps. I can not fill these the way they are so I will replace the valves the fill with air. Thanks for clarifying what the liquid is. How does the liquid get there, should I replace what has run out?

 

[k0ua]

Rotate the tires to the 12 o'clock position, with the weight of the tractor off of the tire,and check your pressure then, If liquid still runs out, there was too much in the tire to begin with. You need no more than 75 percent fill, and with the valve stems at 12 O' Clock, that is what you will have. Now as to what the fluid is, you will have to figure that out yourself, If it is clear and salty, most likely calcium cloride, (a tiny taste then spit, wont kill you) if it is pink, could be RV anti-freeze, if greenish/yellowish, could be regular ethylene glycol. If more or less clear could be methenol water mix or slightly bluish could be windshield washer fluid, which its prime ingredient is methanol and water too. If brownish and thicker, and stinks, could be RimGuard (beet juice derivative). Now Calcium Cloride, is corrosive, and will eat out the valve stems after a while, and should only be used with tubes as if put in tubeless tires it will eat the rims eventually. Some say it takes quite a while, some others have had poorer results. the others are not particulary corrosive. They all help traction quite a bit, some are not too good for animals if spilled. A lot of us run loaded tires, I use RV antifreeze in mine because it is non toxic and non corrosive. It is usually put in the tire with a small pump, and a fill valve. I got the fill valve at Tractor Supply store, I understand the can be bought at most auto parts stores also. for the Pump I got a garden hose drill pump at Home Depot for $6. Some have used gravity feed with the fill valve. You need to fill valve to "burp" the tire ever little bit to let out the increasing air pressure (liquid goes in and pressure naturally increases). As for replacing the liquid you will have to decide, if you want the same level of traction or not. If it was me, I would remove Calcium Cloride, and demount the tire, and check it out for rust, and replace the Calcium Cloride with something else, like Windshield Washer fluid (methanol mix) or the more expensive RV anti-freeze. Good luck
James K0UA