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Re-using Radiator Fluid

S

Stones Throw Farmer

Member
Hi folks,

I haven't yet been able to track down any radiator fluid recyclers in our area and so I've begun to think about better reuse of the fluid ourselves.

Does anyone have any thoughts?

Certainly we could strive to keep the fluid clean and build some type of simple filter system to remove sediment, oil, etc.

Anyone know anything about the fluid itself degrading?

Thanks
Brian
 
I think the acid level (PH) is the worst problem with it over time.

I've probably got 50 gallons of old/used antifreeze here. I haven't found a way to get rid of it yet. Our county has a "toxic chemical" day once a year, but won't take old antifreeze.
 
Here I am on the other end of the spectrum. I need 110 gallons of used antifreeze. I intend to filter and install in the rear of my 14.9x28's. Maybe in the front if I can get my right side skinny to stop leaking down. I am located in Fairmont, WV and would travel to pick it up, but mid-state NY might be a stretch. I would still like to check out the trucks that jdemaris had spoke of. If only I had a paying reason to be up that way or heck, just break even...

Got a 2010 Tundra and a 2009 16 foot flatbed. Anyone need anything hauled to Syracuse?

Aaron
 
I've thought about using it in tires. But . . . probably our best natural resource in this part of New York is some of the cleanest ground water in the USA. I don't want to risk getting a leak and dumping toxic antifreeze into the ground - especially on my own land. From what I've read, clean ground water is getting scarcer and scarcer, all the time. Don't really want the toxins in the soil either, since we grow and eat food from it.

By the way, I recently had a rear tractor tire blow on me in Michigan. When I pulled it apart, it was a disgusting mess of stuff that sort of looked like (and smelled like) rotted syrup. I'm wondering if it was sugar beet juice - like is now sold as "Rim Guard." Granted, there was no rim rust.
 
Local John Deere dealer filters used radiator fluid and stores it in 500 gallon tanks. Free for the asking. Many probably put it in their liquid fertilizer systems for overwinter storage. I'm sure it's used for tire ballast as well.
 
If it stinks, get rid of it. If it smells good, let it sit for a few weeks for the solid particles to settle, thin filter. I use a funnel, an old T-shirt and a magnet for a filter. Then I use the used anti-freeze when ever I need to add anti-freeze.

It also makes a good poison for mice. I mix it with fish food and let dry. Cover with peanut butter. KEEP YOUR PETS AWAY FROM IT. Put it in a box with a hole in it for mice to get to in and pets to stay out.

George
 
I was going to put antifreeze in the tires on my old John Deere D until, by chance, I learned of the following situation.

In 1986 a fellow I know put new tires and tubes on his restored tractor and put antifreeze in the rear tires. At a tractor show in 1998 he noticed that one tire had developed a small leak. He took it to the tire shop in that town and they found the tube had gone all mushy. In fact it came apart as they were removing it. Suspecting the antifreeze might be at fault they checked the other tire and it too had a bad tube. I don"t remember if he had them put the antifreeze back in after replacing the tubes or if they put calcium clhoride in. He has since passed away and the tractor was sold so I can"t follow up on it.

It may be that the tubes were junk to start with, or there might be something in antifreeze that isn"t compatable with whatever tire tubes are made of. In any case, to be on the safe side, I didn"t put antifreeze in my tires and I don"t know of anyone else who has so I can"t check to see if Matt"s situation was an isolated case.
 
It sounds like his was contaminated with motor oil by the symptoms. The local tire dealer installs antifreeze exclusively, but he has a filtration setup for removing oil and particles.

Aaron
 
freeze it and sell it as green koolpops for the abundant green wienies. that away you save mother nature and all the little creatures from ingesting it.

wow.. talk about killing two birds with one stone... oops... remember all those little starving natives down there in new guienie.. Lord, forgive me.
 
I think the modern natives in Paupau, New Guinea are laying around with their prize-pigs, surfing the Internet most of the day.
 
I only ever change mine when I burst a hose or change a water pump. Cant say its being 'reused' just used. I add a pint or so of anti-cavatation additive every year. Other than that, it stays in the radiator.

As to the other posts about rear tires, I've got a couple with antifreeze in them instead of calcium. I dont particularly like it. Its lighter per gallon than CaCl and if I blow a tire bushhogging in a pasture field Id a lot rather cows getting into CaCl than antifreeze. Yes, it will rot out a rim eventually but Im seeing about a 35 year lifespan before replacement. That I can live with.
 
Rust inhibitor is supposed to deteriorate. You can buy that as an additive. Might cost almost as much as new antifreeze, though. I usually change mine if it's ugly or bust a hose.
 
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