Any way to test for calcium chloride in tires for ballast?

[OHVarmntr]

I've had my JD4600 for less than a week now. It came with weights on each wheel and I just assumed it didn't have any liquid ballast so I didn't check the rims for corrosion. I was looking the tractor over tonight in the garage and one of the rims has some corrosion around the valve stem. I pulled the cap, pressed the valve core and low and behold liquid came pouring out. I went to the other wheel, and same thing. Both valve stems are at the 9 o'clock position.

Aside from tasting it (assuming it will taste like salty chlorine water?), are there any other ways to test the liquid to see if it indeed is calcium chloride?

Oh, here's a pic of the corrosion...

 

[hhsco]

Generally it is rather milky...it looks like salt water (duh I guess).

Hydrometer could determine the strength of the solution.

Otherwise hey, what else could it be other than maybe watered down windshield washer fluid (beet juice would be obvious beet colored).

 

[RG1]

Put a puddle of it on the floor and get a dog you don't like to come and lap it up. If he lives, it ain't CC. (Just kidding everyone.)

Beet juice (Rim Guard) is very dark brown in color and has a smell that you won't forget once you smell it. It isn't all that bad mind you, but you don't forget it.

 

[DB Pilot]

My rims looked similar but a lot worse than yours. I promise you if you let this go for the summer you will regret it. :2cents: Have the tire removed and get rid of any tube in it. Clean the rim prime and repaint. Then have the tire remounted. I salvaged one rim and had to replace the other. I am happy with the Rim Guard but next time will probably use -20F windshield washer fluid. Half the fun of buying a used tractor is getting everything up and running nice.

I went a couple of years thinking I could just clean up the outside rusty area and all would be well. It wasn't and cost me.

 

[MHarryE]

Corrosion does look like the result of a CaCl leak. CaCl is classified as an irritant, not a poison unless ingested in large quantities (actually you are more inclined to puke it up). But I would be concerned about other contaminants it might contained. After all it has been sitting in a deteriorating rubber container for who knows how long.

 

[k0ua]

Unfortunately you already know what is in that tire.

 

[RG1]

Unfortunately you already know what is in that tire.

Where's the like button?:thumbsup:

 

[Looking4new]

Spend the money Luke! You wont be sorry. Dismount the tires, scrap the tubes, clean everything up, repaint and install new tubes and add Rim-Guard/Beet Juice. Save the Calcium Chloride for the winter and put it on your snow/ice, or if your driveway is dusty this summer after grading smooth put the calc. on it, preferably right after a light to medium rain.

 

[ovrszd]

CC is also slimy on your hands, nasty stuff that you will wash off. No other reason for a rim to rust like that.

 

[Looking4new]

Prolonged exposure to CC and it will dry your hide out and you will be able to peel the top layer of skin off in sheets. How do I know? For 15 years I sprayed CC on dirt roads in early summer.