Tyre Valve/dust Caps - Warning!

. hammer · 16th March 2010, 23:20

If anyone is tempted to fit Rover/MG valve caps (like several on offer on eBay) may I offer a word of warning. I put a set on my car last autumn and had no problem until my MOT last week. One tyre needed replacing and when I collected the car I was presented with the old valve, cap still fitted. Apparently, they couldn't remove it! When I got home a fair amount of effort finally shifted the cap. The problem....???? Ally caps + winter weather = white rust!!!! I checked the others and two of the remaining three were also pigs to shift. (In case you're wondering, they were all removed effortlessly about three weeks previous). So, if you're buying..... check the material they're made from.

Jezzer 1 · 17th March 2010, 07:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by . hammer

If anyone is tempted to fit Rover/MG valve caps (like several on offer on eBay) may I offer a word of warning. I put a set on my car last autumn and had no problem until my MOT last week. One tyre needed replacing and when I collected the car I was presented with the old valve, cap still fitted. Apparently, they couldn't remove it! When I got home a fair amount of effort finally shifted the cap. The problem....???? Ally caps + winter weather = white rust!!!! I checked the others and two of the remaining three were also pigs to shift. (In case you're wondering, they were all removed effortlessly about three weeks previous). So, if you're buying..... check the material they're made from.

Yes - I've got a similar problem with some metal valve caps from Halfords - can't get them off.

I have found that a generous smear of vaseline on the the valve threads prevents them sticking, but unfortunately I missed doing it on the wheels where the caps are stuck.

Looks like generous amounts of WD40 and some warmth to try and remove them. How did you get yours off?

rrobson · 17th March 2010, 08:20

its not white rust, its all down to the two materials. because they are different ie aluminium and steel, when water and air contact the materials, they react together and basically fuse. the 'white rust' you describe is what was bonding them together. a good smear ar vaseline, or anything similar just to protect the two materials will save loads of time and money, not sure if copperslip / aluslip can be used but i cant see why not

this happened to a bloke at work on a bmw 330i, and they had been on a fair while. in the end, he had to get new valves fitted!

stevo snr · 17th March 2010, 08:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrobson

its not white rust, its all down to the two materials. because they are different ie aluminium and steel, when water and air contact the materials, they react together and basically fuse. the 'white rust' you describe is what was bonding them together. a good smear ar vaseline, or anything similar just to protect the two materials will save loads of time and money, not sure if copperslip / aluslip can be used but i cant see why not

this happened to a bloke at work on a bmw 330i, and they had been on a fair while. in the end, he had to get new valves fitted!

Yes galvanic corrosion, however I had some VW ones on my campr van and the kids where I live had no trouble getting them off

eurorover · 17th March 2010, 10:14

Thats why you must be sad like me and only put them on for shows with your show alloys

T-Cut · 17th March 2010, 11:15

They are a waste of money IMO. Look good for a short while but don't work.

TC

stocktake · 17th March 2010, 15:28

Use chromed brass, you won't have the problem

pmessling · 17th March 2010, 15:49

i had some MG ones, never had any problems removing them, however they suffered from corrosion and the outside looked horrible, i now have some nice stainless steel ones from a motor bike shop cost £8 for 8 of them, although my valves are aluminum because of the pressure warning system i have installed.

hotthread · 17th March 2010, 16:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmessling

i had some MG ones, never had any problems removing them, however they suffered from corrosion and the outside looked horrible, i now have some nice stainless steel ones from a motor bike shop cost £8 for 8 of them, although my valves are aluminum because of the pressure warning system i have installed.

Are Vista valves compatable with a 2002 R75? What version are you running?

EXMSRalph · 17th March 2010, 16:17

Had a similar problem with my SV-R.

It took the tyre place quite some time to find a suitable replacement valve.

The SV-R had been fitted with 2 different, but similar, types of valve caps. 2 were cheepo ones and 2 were proper chromed brass ones. The SV-R is now fitted with BMHI MG valve caps.

16th March 2010, 23:20	#1
. hammer Steve Rover 75 CDT Auto Conn Tourer Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Danbury, Essex Posts: 247 Thanks: 6 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Tyre Valve/dust Caps - Warning! If anyone is tempted to fit Rover/MG valve caps (like several on offer on eBay) may I offer a word of warning. I put a set on my car last autumn and had no problem until my MOT last week. One tyre needed replacing and when I collected the car I was presented with the old valve, cap still fitted. Apparently, they couldn't remove it! When I got home a fair amount of effort finally shifted the cap. The problem....???? Ally caps + winter weather = white rust!!!! I checked the others and two of the remaining three were also pigs to shift. (In case you're wondering, they were all removed effortlessly about three weeks previous). So, if you're buying..... check the material they're made from. __________________ Steve.

17th March 2010, 15:28	#7
stocktake Vis Whiz Rover 75 2.5 auto Saloon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LEEDS Posts: 20,594 Thanks: 2,057 Thanked 3,056 Times in 1,621 Posts	Use chromed brass, you won't have the problem __________________ Dave... Lost a few stones and a Gall Bladder and part of a bile duct and all of my dignity in the suppository incident

17th March 2010, 15:49	#8
pmessling Posted a thing or two TVR Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: West london Posts: 1,084 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	i had some MG ones, never had any problems removing them, however they suffered from corrosion and the outside looked horrible, i now have some nice stainless steel ones from a motor bike shop cost £8 for 8 of them, although my valves are aluminum because of the pressure warning system i have installed. __________________ Peter Essling Project carbon fibre well under way http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m.../Logo_260s.gif http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...ner468x60b.gif

17th March 2010, 08:20	#3
rrobson I really should get out more....... 75 tourer cdti, MG ZS 180, nissan terrano & 1.8t rover 25 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pontefract Posts: 2,647 Thanks: 17 Thanked 295 Times in 218 Posts	its not white rust, its all down to the two materials. because they are different ie aluminium and steel, when water and air contact the materials, they react together and basically fuse. the 'white rust' you describe is what was bonding them together. a good smear ar vaseline, or anything similar just to protect the two materials will save loads of time and money, not sure if copperslip / aluslip can be used but i cant see why not this happened to a bloke at work on a bmw 330i, and they had been on a fair while. in the end, he had to get new valves fitted!

17th March 2010, 10:14	#5
eurorover Posted a thing or two MG ZT Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Swansea Posts: 1,231 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 5 Posts	Thats why you must be sad like me and only put them on for shows with your show alloys

17th March 2010, 11:15	#6
T-Cut This is my second home Rover75 and Mreg Corsa. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sumweer onat mote o'dust (Sagin) Posts: 21,753 Thanks: 341 Thanked 3,660 Times in 2,924 Posts	They are a waste of money IMO. Look good for a short while but don't work. TC

17th March 2010, 16:17	#10
EXMSRalph Gets stuck in ZS180, MGF, Rover 400, MG Montego Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sittingbourne Posts: 534 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Had a similar problem with my SV-R. It took the tyre place quite some time to find a suitable replacement valve. The SV-R had been fitted with 2 different, but similar, types of valve caps. 2 were cheepo ones and 2 were proper chromed brass ones. The SV-R is now fitted with BMHI MG valve caps.