metal tyre valve caps -- beware

[Euromobil]

thought I would treat the car to a set of shiny ali valve caps to tart it up a bit. Looked really nice, ' til I went to check tyre pressures after the bad weather.

Plus gas---WD40---heat----mole grips--- nothing would shift them, the salt had corroded the caps to the valve stems. In the end I filed a groove through so I could soak with penetrating oil overnight, so back to plastic for me.

 

[old-mo]

Next time try smearing a bit of vaseline on the thread before screwing them on.. :thumb:

Happened a couple of times on my M/bikes,, and no I did not practice what I preach.. oh:

Do now though.. :thumb:

 

[pappajohn]

never really gave that a thought....

a light smear of grease on the valve threads would stop it happening.

the ally wheels on my pickup 'stuck' to the hubs in the same way.
a 2lb lump hammer and block of wood eventually released them.
now they have brake grease smeared on the 'mating' surfaces.

 

[Euromobil]

Next time try smearing a bit of vaseline on the thread before screwing :


Great idea , but what about the valve caps:

 

[derekfaeberwick]

The local scrots don't have a problem removing them.

Truck and trailer, all over the country, there they were, gone!:Angry:


The bar stewards like them on their bikes! that's what they need!:Cool:

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[VMax666]

Aluminium + Salt = Corrosion
Same reason Aluminium fittings on brake lines for road bikes are a no-no.
The engines on Brit bikes used to suffer, steel frame/ alloy engine and salt are not compatible unless you fit a sacrificial anode. I am sure someone will know the electrochemical formulae.....
VMax

 

[warwick]

Only steel caps should be used on steel valves, they are more expensive but are compatable.

 

[pappajohn]

Only steel caps should be used on steel valves, they are more expensive but are compatable.

can you ellaborate please...
plastic caps, being inert, are standard fit the world over by every car manufacturer today. with perhaps the odd exception on luxury motors.

 

[NEV3]

I too had this problem on the wifes Smart car (our toad) last winter (2008/2009).
Tried to check tyre pressures and ended up having to replace all four valves due to corrosion induced by road salt. Garage mechanic then advised me "never ever fit alloy caps to standard metal (brass, steel etc) valves.(electrolosis he said). The valve caps were the right colour you see! The scrotes only tried to nick em in the summer months!

NEV3