Need some help guys

ACHINBAC · Jan 7, 2009

Bad day goes from bad to worse . .
Started taxes today and for a break went to the garage to take the tractor down to scrape the end of the drive . . . all 4 tires were flat.

As per my last post I recently filled all 4 with wind wipe fluid and it appears the alcohol seems to be dissolving the valve stems and possibly the valve seat seals. Can now spin the valve stems with two fingers as though they were greased and they hold no air even at 40 psi - immediate leak down.

Is it possible the tires are also dissolving as we speak???

Are solvent resistant valve stems available, and can they be installed without dismounting the tires???

actionaj · Jan 7, 2009

Alcohol shouldn't dissolve cured rubber it will keep rubber from sticking but not dissolve it. It must be some other chemical in the fluid I would check to see what else is in it.

Hooked_on_HP · Jan 7, 2009

You can install metal valve stems.You dont have to dissmount the tire but you do have to break the bead on one side to get the metal stem through the hole. I wounder what your valve stems are made of. Washer fluid shouldn't hurt rubber. The line going to your squirters and your wiper blades on your car are made of rubber.
Bill

john_bud · Jan 7, 2009

Did you forget to tighten them down?

Seriously, I've done stupid stuff like that before.

wushaw · Jan 10, 2009

Not a moments problem in 3yrs with WW fluid in my rears.

There has to be something else going on or it ain't WW fluid.

LBrown59 · Jan 10, 2009

wushaw said:
Not a moments problem in 3yrs with WW fluid in my rears.

There has to be something else going on or it ain't WW fluid.

100s of guys are running W W F on here.
Never heard of the problem before.

CCWKen · Jan 10, 2009

actionaj said:
Alcohol shouldn't dissolve cured rubber it will keep rubber from sticking but not dissolve it. It must be some other chemical in the fluid I would check to see what else is in it.

It sure will! Why do you think so many old cars are having problems running the new gas? You may be thinking of isopropyl (rubbing alcohol) but that's not what they use in WW fluid. I think it's methanol. And that for sure will soften rubber. As does ethanol used in gas.

SnowRidge · Jan 10, 2009

There are many different kinds of "rubber." Without knowing what kind is being talked about, it is impossible to say exactly what will happen if it is exposed to windshield washer fluid, not to mention not knowing exactly what is in the washer fluid.

irvingj · Jan 11, 2009

While many people apparently use WW fluid as ballast with no problems, I too wondered about alcohol/rubber compatibility-- in model airplane engines, silicone tubing is used for methanol-based glow fuels, but if a conversion to diesel is made, all fuel lines have to be replaced with neoprene or rubber. If you leave the rubber in and switch back to glow fuel, fuel lines will begin to decompose. In other words, rubber for petroleum, silicone for methanol.... ??

ACHINBAC · Jan 11, 2009

It was methanol based fluid. The stock valve stems were the plug in type - they were noticeably "softened up" by the methanol. It's also possible there was a rogue solvent in the mix though the label states only methanol. I had to drain and pull all 4 tires, brought them to a friend who had a tire changer and cracked the bead on one side. I replaced the stems with brass bolt in ones with epdm gaskets. From the get go the original valve stems seemed a little cheesy. Just pushing them to the side a bit would let air escape prior to the ballast. Hate undoing old work, more so when it's due to a cheap piece of rubber. Tires are fine now. Did notice as someone else posted that it takes the bounce out of the tractor when hitting ruts and bumps while plowing the other day.