Think washer fluid in rear tires won't corrode?

[CalG]

The methanol itself is not corrosive, it is when it is exposed to the atmosphere then it can absorb water and that is when you get the corrosion. It must become saturated to the point of getting phase separation. Here is a wheel from my Ford tractor that had calcium chloride in it with a tube. You can see it is more rusted around the stem, either from a leaky core or someone checking it with the stem in the wrong position probably more than once.
I have cast weights and the washer fluid in new tires and tubes. The cast weights alone are not enough if you are pulling a hydraulic box blade. I got the rim new for a good price and saved the hub as you can see.

You are out of touch with reality.

Washer fluid is a MIX of alky, WATER and a bit of soap.
It doesn't need to go anywhere or do anything to be corrosive.

It's a self contained disaster

 

[sixdogs]

If yours have tubes the WW fluid is inside the tube and didn't contact the rims. There must have been some water or some form of moisture between the tube and rim to cause the rust. Its possible a tube could have leaked allowing fluid and air to contact the rim allowing rust to form. Rust need moisture and air (an oxidizer) to form. I have WW fluid in my rears. The rims are completely submerged in fluid, only air is at the top above the rim so no air to form rust.

Same thing I wondered.

Correct, in a perfect world. Under that situation, calcium chloride wouldn't cause any corrosion either because it couldn't escape. Trouble is, it does and anything liquid in a tube will escape to some degree. Remember, you have mostly liquid in the tire and very little air keeping the good stuff in and bad stuff out. A small loss of air, when there isn't much to begin with is a big deal when the tires are loaded with the equivalent of acid.

I expected my wheels to look perfect as well, based on what I saw, was told and thought I understood. Oops.

 

[aircommuter]

The main thing is to coat the bare wheel first with a coating that is goint to protect it from any seapage that may occur with the use of a tube and the liquid you need for weight and freeze protection in your area. The washer fluid must not be too corrosive as I do not see cars with cowels and hoods rusted out from using it. However I have repaired many rocker panels on cars from road salt.
As for reality the mix of water, methanol, and soap is homegenous as it is sold, the water saturation is below the level of phase separation.

 

[CADplans]

I loaded pure methanol in my B2710 about 4 years, ran over a large nail last week, broke down the tire and the rim looked as good as when I loaded it. Mine are tubeless. The Rim and inside of the tire had a white chalky residue I cleaned up. Loaded the tire back with the methanol.

This makes me REAL happy,,, I JUST added water and methanol to my new tires/rims,,,,

Both the supplier if the tire/wheel, and the fluid installer (different companies) told me the tubeless stem is extended inside the wheel,,,
so that the assembly will fill with fluid deep enough to insure the steel stays submerged as the wheel rotates.

If the "top" of the wheel is exposed to the air in the tire, rust will occur.
At least,,, that is what I am hoping!!

 

[Gary Fowler]

I am glad I can get by with just plain water. IF it freezes in winter, I just wait for it to thaw out which is usually only a few days that get and stay cold enough to freeze plain water. I fill them myself and just listen for the water to go over the stem (you can tell by the sound) so I know it is over the rim. I loose a little of the water replacing the valve core, but it is always above the rim. I look for the rims to outlast me.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have no idea why your rims rusted so badly in just 2 years especially with tubes. I don't think the WWF was the problem since none of it should have gotten inside the rim unless you had lots of flats and if you did, you should have seen the rusty rims when fixing the tube.

 

[Turbys_1700]

My dealer loaded the rears on my new Workmaster with methanol and water. Seems to be the fluid of choice for a lot a dealers. I guess that the cost is lower than calcium chloride or beet juice. For years farmers around here used anti-freeze and water. The temps don't get that low and the mixture was really weak. Just enough to lower the freezing point down to around 10 degrees or so. Enough time and all rims will corrode with water and any additive typically around the stems. Not really a fool proof method for a 100% rust free additive that I am aware of.