Rubber valve stems and plastic caps on them. No metal for me.
Metal valve stem caps - yay or nay?
- Thread starter 97tbird
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Thanks for ALL comments:
for now I ordered the same type metal cap that the other 3 wheels have:
seems it's a BMW OEM cap: BMW part 36-12-1-120-779
for now I ordered the same type metal cap that the other 3 wheels have:
seems it's a BMW OEM cap: BMW part 36-12-1-120-779
The ones I use cover much more of the brass valve stem threading.
Originally Posted By: 97tbird
Thanks for ALL comments:
for now I ordered the same type metal cap that the other 3 wheels have:
seems it's a BMW OEM cap: BMW part 36-12-1-120-779
Hmm... OK, so I only have this type on my spare wheel. The ones on the car are actually non OEM. I guess tire shop put on new valve stems and caps when installing new tires a few years back...
Thanks for ALL comments:
for now I ordered the same type metal cap that the other 3 wheels have:
seems it's a BMW OEM cap: BMW part 36-12-1-120-779
Hmm... OK, so I only have this type on my spare wheel. The ones on the car are actually non OEM. I guess tire shop put on new valve stems and caps when installing new tires a few years back...
Heh... it was actually Suburban Tire that did the install.
I guess they must be generic. They are chrome over brass. Never had one corrode or stick. I like the look of them on my Mazda wheels. I had a spare set so I put them on there. Now that I think about it, though, the TPMS valve stem threads are not brass. I should probably just put the gray plastic ones back on.
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Got my tire valve caps today...they do seem to have some sort of a seal inside...
Pretty glad I found the same type I currently have..
Not easy to photograph with an iphone:
Pretty glad I found the same type I currently have..
Not easy to photograph with an iphone:
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Originally Posted By: 97tbird
I do want the metal ones, too...but only if it's not risky.
I guess if you remove them often enough to check TP, perhaps one can avoid the problem of them seizing/bonding with valve stem?
Pete: do you remove them often?
If you're checking your air pressure like you should, you won't have a problem.
I do want the metal ones, too...but only if it's not risky.
I guess if you remove them often enough to check TP, perhaps one can avoid the problem of them seizing/bonding with valve stem?
Pete: do you remove them often?
If you're checking your air pressure like you should, you won't have a problem.
JHZR2
Staff member
I picked my BMW up at the performance center and it had plastic caps on the air fillers.
My MBs all have metal ones like you show.
Cant say I can tell any benefit.
My MBs all have metal ones like you show.
Cant say I can tell any benefit.
My PT Cruiser came with a set of Valve stem caps with the PT Cruiser logo on them.
They seemed rather large and heavy to me. No matter....someone liberated them. I imagine there are a pair of kids' bikes near my wife's old job with PT Cruiser caps.
I thought those plastic pressure monitoring caps seemed like a pretty good idea.
They leaked. I was losing about 5 psi a week. They would tell me I was losing 5psi, but it was their fault. I got a set of cheap chrome caps from Discount that solved the 5psi-week loss
Plastic ones do seem like they would be lighter and more corrosion resistant. I don't know that weight is an issue if the tire is balanced with the caps on.
They seemed rather large and heavy to me. No matter....someone liberated them. I imagine there are a pair of kids' bikes near my wife's old job with PT Cruiser caps.
I thought those plastic pressure monitoring caps seemed like a pretty good idea.
They leaked. I was losing about 5 psi a week. They would tell me I was losing 5psi, but it was their fault. I got a set of cheap chrome caps from Discount that solved the 5psi-week loss
Plastic ones do seem like they would be lighter and more corrosion resistant. I don't know that weight is an issue if the tire is balanced with the caps on.
The BEST Caps I have found and currently use are the...
alligator valve stem caps
Available here: http://www.myerstiresupply.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=263&
Cheers, Jim
alligator valve stem caps
Available here: http://www.myerstiresupply.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=263&
Cheers, Jim
I use metal valve stems and metal caps. The DOT does not like plastic caps on semis. Metal required.
Spazdog - Your valve caps should not be holding air. They are simply there to protect the valve from water, etc. If you have a leak in the valve core you should replace the core, not depend on the valve cap to seal in pressurized air. Accept for a few specialized caps, they aren't really designed for holding air.
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Originally Posted By: jjjxlr8
Spazdog - Your valve caps should not be holding air.
I think he was talking about those gimmicky ones that have pressure gauges built into them.
Spazdog - Your valve caps should not be holding air.
I think he was talking about those gimmicky ones that have pressure gauges built into them.
Originally Posted By: AstroTurf
The BEST Caps I have found and currently use are the...
alligator valve stem caps
Available here: http://www.myerstiresupply.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=263&
Cheers, Jim
Those would be great, except that I would still be compelled to put a light plastic cap on them to help seal out all of the tons of salt dumped on our roads in the winter.
The BEST Caps I have found and currently use are the...
alligator valve stem caps
Available here: http://www.myerstiresupply.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=263&
Cheers, Jim
Those would be great, except that I would still be compelled to put a light plastic cap on them to help seal out all of the tons of salt dumped on our roads in the winter.
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: jjjxlr8
Spazdog - Your valve caps should not be holding air.
I think he was talking about those gimmicky ones that have pressure gauges built into them.
Yep...they were the gimmicky ones that show green or red depending on your tire pressure.
I could have left them off entirely and it would have solved the leak.
Originally Posted By: jjjxlr8
Spazdog - Your valve caps should not be holding air.
I think he was talking about those gimmicky ones that have pressure gauges built into them.
Yep...they were the gimmicky ones that show green or red depending on your tire pressure.
I could have left them off entirely and it would have solved the leak.
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