Warning!! Metal Dust Caps

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AJZ4London

Member
DO NOT BUY METAL DUST CAPS!

Driving along the M40 today (top down of course) the low pressure light comes on.

Stopped at the nearest services but I could not get the cap off...So I bought some pliers...nope, the whole thing just turns.

With no choice, I drive the final twenty miles or so to Kwik Fit near home. They have to cut the valves of every valve and replace them! Thankfully the guys just wanted the cash and all I had was £13.50 on me.

So, the message is...put up with the plastic...otherwise you may end up like this:

z4stilts.jpg
 
I always use metal valve caps, and never have such problem. How often do you check the tyre pressure? Your cap could be over-tighted.
 
I had this problem today when blowing my tyres up, the pliers worked for me though and it was only one that was stuck
 
It could be caused by the age of the cap. The metal caps should be replaced every year.
 
Are we talking about the stock metal caps, or aftermarket jobbies?

Never had any probs with the stock metal caps on my previous bmw - well not until some kids stole them!
 
I guess a reaction of disimilar metals in the Winter/salt/wet we've had could cause that very quickly.

Good warning though as that could have been a disaster. Basic plastic for me :thumbsup:
 
There is a simple preventative action for this. Before you put the caps on smear a little Vaseline around the thread of the valves. Works a treat :thumbsup: .
 
Mmmmm....just pop some grease on before tightening up. If you have problems removing there may be an opportunity to heat with a hairdryer, conduction expansion, take off?
 
Its sad i know but i always remove mine when i wash the car, that way the valve threads get a wash and i make a point of giving them a little dry before applying a quick squirt WD40 to each cap. Why may you ask go to all that bother? coz exactly the same thing happened to me as AJ74, on a Golf i used to own. all 4 valve caps siezed. had to cut em off, Once bitten etc.... :oops:
 
I'm happy sticking with plastic, less for the local idiots around here to be attracted to :roll:
 
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