XSeries-forum

M50d had its fortnightly valet today and tops ups.
I wanted to top up the tyres however I can't remove the valve caps that I replaced last year for the black plastic ones (they are metal caps). They seem to be welded on
Anyone else had this problem and any ideas how to loosen up?

A drop of WD40 or light machine oil will do it, and leave for an hour or so.  Metal caps look great but the metal to metal contact causes them to grow into each other because of the brass alloy usually used.

Turn the wheels so the valves are on the top of the wheel, the release oil will drip into the caps instead of on the wheels that way.

When I had metal caps, I turned them every week to ensure they would not weld on.

Or use and earbud to apply just a smidge 

Not much help just now, but Copper grease should stop them from ceasing in the future.

Cheers Guys!

Sadly all too common that aluminium literally welds itself into steel.

We use both metals together frequently and have to be very careful.

It’s quite possible you may not move them but a good soak as mentioned may well help, good luck!

Not budging!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! >:(

Hope this does not mean new TPS's?

[quote="X5M50d"]
Not budging!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! >:(

Hope this does not mean new TPS's?
[/quote]

Quite possibly.

If they've welded themselves together you're in the brown smelly stuff 

Do none of you check the tyre pressures every now and again?
Although there is TPMS on the car it doesn't really recognise slight pressure drops.
I check and adjust the pressures every other week so the caps don't get a chance to seize on.

[quote="Nictrix"]
I check and adjust the pressures every other week so the caps don't get a chance to seize on.
[/quote]

Really?????!!!!!!!!!!!! :blink:

[quote="RichM50d"]
[quote="Nictrix"]
I check and adjust the pressures every other week so the caps don't get a chance to seize on.
[/quote]

Really?????!!!!!!!!!!!! :blink:
[/quote]

I did the same when I had metal caps, and also put a smidge of silicon grease on the threads.

You could try very gently warming them too - not enough to burn you though.

[quote="RichM50d"]
[quote="Nictrix"]
I check and adjust the pressures every other week so the caps don't get a chance to seize on.
[/quote]

Really?????!!!!!!!!!!!! :blink:
[/quote]
Yep. At the end of the day the set of tyres is close to a grand and I would like them to last as long as possible.
I also think that cars (and bikes) feel better and handle better with the correct pressures in the tyres all the time.

I’m worried about mine now. I might have to check the copper grease is working. Either that or check my tyres every second week! 

I check my bike tyre pressures before every ride out (or every session on track..), but rarely bother with the car. Sheer laziness I guess.
But I wouldnt reccommend copper based greases in this instance, vaseline or silicon grease maybe.

Or a plastic valve cap  ) ) ) )