BMW "Decorator" Valve Caps

E92Driver · 07-10-2007, 07:07 PM

Took my e92 to the dealer this afternoon for a 3000 mile oil change. When the car was ready the SA approached me and handed me the four valve caps (the ones with the roundel on them) that I bought a few weeks prior and said he replaced them with the OE valve caps.

When I asked why, he said that with the new TPMS valve stems they've had a major issue with the dissimilar metals of these caps and the stems fusing together. He said they needed to cut the stems off a new 750 just last week because of this.

I walked about 30 feet to the parts counter, handed them the caps, and got an immediate credit for my $15.95 plus tax.

The obvious question I asked but didn't get a good answer for is "Why do you even sell these caps or, at very least, why don't you advise folks of this issue at the time of purchase since run flats are quickly becoming the norm?"

MikeCCrutchfield · 07-10-2007, 07:19 PM

Not all cars have TPMS valve stems that have run flats....E90 325i uses wheel speed sensors I believe.

LEDZEP · 07-10-2007, 07:20 PM

Maybe because they were not aware of the issue. Wouldn't you consider what your SA did a proactive move and an effort to prevent a possible problem for you?

Damn, I thought I was negative. The new TPMS valves are new. Only a few months into production. The decorative stem covers have been around for years.

I appreciate you posting this information, as I have the Roundel caps and haven't put them on yet. But your point of view about it is a bit off.

fer360 · 07-10-2007, 07:26 PM

I have a BMW valve cap set, too.

The OEM caps are made of high quality, chrome plated brass.

So now I have to go buy cheap Hong Kong plastic ones on eBay?

ward · 07-10-2007, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fer360

I have a BMW valve cap set, too.

The OEM caps are made of high quality, chrome plated brass.

So now I have to go buy cheap Hong Kong plastic ones on eBay?

it's a valve stem cover, not some load bearing crazy part

the stock plastic ones are probably your best bet

Orient330iNYC · 07-10-2007, 11:31 PM

the problem is galvanic corrosion. the aluminum of the TPMS valve stem will react with the brass, which means the brass caps will end up fused to the stem.

hak87 · 07-10-2007, 11:37 PM

I bought them for nothing

damnit!

HyperM3 · 07-11-2007, 06:24 AM

Thanks for the heads up, guess Ill be removing mine then. However, I thought they were just plastic, didnt feel like metal to me.

croaker · 07-11-2007, 06:38 AM

Well at least no one can steal the fucking things if they are fused to the stems.

fer360 · 07-11-2007, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ward

it's a valve stem cover, not some load bearing crazy part

the stock plastic ones are probably your best bet

That was my poor attemp at humor. I was kidding about changing the caps.

A little anti-sieze should take care of the unlike metal problem. It works fine on oxygen sensors, sparkplugs and between wheel and the hub. Should do the trick.

JIMD1709 · 07-11-2007, 07:01 AM

There are new caps, made of plastic, but look the same as the chrome ones. Parts should have told you this. They are called "logo valve caps, abs".

On a side note, I have aluminum caps on mine. They are OE on Lexus, Infiniti, ect. Aluminum caps won't have any issues on aluminum stems.

Gort · 07-11-2007, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fer360

That was my poor attemp at humor. I was kidding about changing the caps.

A little anti-sieze should take care of the unlike metal problem. It works fine on oxygen sensors, sparkplugs and between wheel and the hub. Should do the trick.

I always put a small dab of Vaseline carefully outside on the threads of the valve before screwing on the metal caps - no problems ever. It acts as both an insulator and a lubricant.

msimon18 · 07-11-2007, 08:33 AM

If memory serves me correctly the stems on non-run flats also have a brass threaded end. So why do they not seize with the aluminum etc. caps ??

Is this whole thread a hoax ???

fer360 · 07-11-2007, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msimon18

If memory serves me correctly the stems on non-run flats also have a brass threaded end. So why do they not seize with the aluminum etc. caps ??

Is this whole thread a hoax ???

Thanks for jogging my memory about aluminum caps.

Way back, about 25+ years ago when alloy wheels were becomming popular, people were buying polished aluminum caps to match their rims and there were comments (complete with photos) in car magazines at the time warning about how aluminum caps would seize to the brass valve stems. The recomendation back then was to buy stainless steel caps, instead. I haven't heard anything about it for a long time, but I think I should also point out that most of the aftermarket caps, today, are still aluminum. A walk down the isles of your local Pepboys will reveal a wide array of both polished and brightly colored anodized aluminum caps.

I personally don't know anyone who has had the caps fuse to the stem and I live in the heavily salted snow belt.

533ogetnom · 07-11-2007, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gort

I always put a small dab of Vaseline carefully outside on the threads of the valve before screwing on the metal caps - no problems ever. It acts as both an insulator and a lubricant.

i put some vasaline on the tip before inserting it too

Alan(iX) · 07-11-2007, 11:55 AM

They laughed at me about this in Nov 2006...

see post #1 & 5:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ight=valve+cap

JIMD1709 · 07-11-2007, 12:25 PM

I remember that post. But, if you use aluminum caps on aluminum stems, no worries. that is the number one reason dive tanks have to be VIP'd every year. Aluminum tanks are notorious for having a dis-simmilar metal issue(valves are chrome plated brass). That is for you Divers out there, from an Ex-Navy diver.

We inspected our own tanks, and you would see it now and then, not a huge issue, as if the tanks are kept full, the air inside is very dry, no moisture. Of course you can't be slapping anti-seize in air tanks!

I personally check my inflation often enough to know with my aluminum caps on the TPMS stems, no issues. Like I stated before that is the way a lot of manufacturers do it. TPMS is on ALL cars now, some have plastic caps, some aluminum. I personally use the aluminum because I don't want to draw attention to my stems. I already have a huge roundel on my center cap.

Another side note. You are seeing so many valve cap thefts, not all 4, because kids are putting them on their bikes! That is why you'll see only two missing sometimes! My wifes got stolen off her Mini (British Flags) and I caught the punk a week later, riding his BMX bike with them on. Of course I took them back ASAP. Kid told me BMW, MB, and Porsche were the ones kids wanted, and he liked the british flags!!

TMNT · 07-11-2007, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Maybe because they were not aware of the issue. Wouldn't you consider what your SA did a proactive move and an effort to prevent a possible problem for you?

Damn, I thought I was negative. The new TPMS valves are new. Only a few months into production. The decorative stem covers have been around for years.

I appreciate you posting this information, as I have the Roundel caps and haven't put them on yet. But your point of view about it is a bit off.

+1
I would be extremely happy if my dealership was proactive and did something like that

phantom330 · 07-11-2007, 12:42 PM

That is strange that they would sell them if they were potentially damaging to the car. My question is, why were you getting a 3k mile oil change?

Orient330iNYC · 07-11-2007, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msimon18

If memory serves me correctly the stems on non-run flats also have a brass threaded end. So why do they not seize with the aluminum etc. caps ??

Is this whole thread a hoax ???

no...

I had a TPMS system installed on my R that had aluminum stems for my snow tires. i didn't like the aluminum caps that the system came with so i used some OE BMW caps from my 330i (i liked the OE brass BMW caps i bought a bag of 30 and used em on everything for about 5 years). i used a dab of moly grease on the threads.

come spring, i had to use a pair of pliers to remove the caps, totally destroying them.

hak87 · 07-11-2007, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 533ogetnom

i put some vasaline on the tip before inserting it too

Im taking the vaseline route and sticking with my BMW Roundel Valve Caps

LEDZEP · 07-11-2007, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phantom330

That is strange that they would sell them if they were potentially damaging to the car. My question is, why were you getting a 3k mile oil change?

Because.... there are lots of different BMWs with different wheels and tires and valve stems. The new aluminum TPMS stems are only a few months old, and these parts have been around for years.

This was basically explained above in this thread...

07-10-2007, 07:07 PM	#1
E92Driver New Member 6 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 2006 z4 3.0i & 2007 335i coupe Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Boston area iTrader: (0)	BMW "Decorator" Valve Caps - Very Bad! Took my e92 to the dealer this afternoon for a 3000 mile oil change. When the car was ready the SA approached me and handed me the four valve caps (the ones with the roundel on them) that I bought a few weeks prior and said he replaced them with the OE valve caps. When I asked why, he said that with the new TPMS valve stems they've had a major issue with the dissimilar metals of these caps and the stems fusing together. He said they needed to cut the stems off a new 750 just last week because of this. I walked about 30 feet to the parts counter, handed them the caps, and got an immediate credit for my $15.95 plus tax. The obvious question I asked but didn't get a good answer for is "Why do you even sell these caps or, at very least, why don't you advise folks of this issue at the time of purchase since run flats are quickly becoming the norm?"
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07-10-2007, 07:19 PM	#2
MikeCCrutchfield Lieutenant 20 Rep 587 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Vert Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chestertown, MD iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 135i Convertible [0.00] 2007 VW Rabbit [0.00] 2006 VW Jetta TDI [0.00]	Not all cars have TPMS valve stems that have run flats....E90 325i uses wheel speed sensors I believe.
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07-10-2007, 07:20 PM	#3
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 418 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	Maybe because they were not aware of the issue. Wouldn't you consider what your SA did a proactive move and an effort to prevent a possible problem for you? Damn, I thought I was negative. The new TPMS valves are new. Only a few months into production. The decorative stem covers have been around for years. I appreciate you posting this information, as I have the Roundel caps and haven't put them on yet. But your point of view about it is a bit off. __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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07-10-2007, 07:26 PM	#4
fer360 Private First Class 2 Rep 143 Posts Drives: 2007 e90 BMW 335i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New England iTrader: (0)	I have a BMW valve cap set, too. The OEM caps are made of high quality, chrome plated brass. So now I have to go buy cheap Hong Kong plastic ones on eBay?
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07-10-2007, 11:31 PM	#6
Orient330iNYC Brigadier General 1469 Rep 3,553 Posts Drives: 2023 X7 40i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wall St iTrader: (2)	the problem is galvanic corrosion. the aluminum of the TPMS valve stem will react with the brass, which means the brass caps will end up fused to the stem. __________________ Present: 2023 G07 40i ZDH/ZDU/ZMP/ZMQ/2NH/ZPK/ZPP/ZRC/300/3AC Past: 2013 335i 6MT ZMM/ZDH/ZTP/3AG/494/508 Past: 2016 F34 335i xDrive ZCW/ZDA/ZDH/ZTP/ZMP/2V5/5DL Past: 2019 G01 M40i ZDA/2VF/ZPP/ZPX/688/3AC
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07-10-2007, 11:37 PM	#7
hak87 Private First Class 3 Rep 150 Posts Drives: Sober Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: BiG D, TX iTrader: (0)	I bought them for nothing damnit!
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07-11-2007, 06:24 AM	#8
HyperM3 Too many Alex's, from now on, call me Beaufort 342 Rep 6,188 Posts Drives: See Sig Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lawrenceville, NJ iTrader: (8)	Thanks for the heads up, guess Ill be removing mine then. However, I thought they were just plastic, didnt feel like metal to me. __________________ 13 HD FatBob 17 A4 Glacier/Black 1st Edition/Pre+/Sport/EurocodeTMD/Racechip 16 S6 (gone),14 S6 (gone),14 S6 (gone),13 S6 (gone),10 S4 (gone) 07 335i(gone)
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07-11-2007, 06:38 AM	#9
croaker First Lieutenant 54 Rep 340 Posts Drives: E90 330i Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Well at least no one can steal the fucking things if they are fused to the stems. __________________ E90 330i Monaco Blue, Black Leather, Aluminum Trim, Six Speed, Aluminum Pedals, M-Shifter, Sport Package, Premium Package, Winter Package, Comfort Access, Navigation Holding a space for Racing Green Lotus Elise
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07-11-2007, 07:01 AM	#11
JIMD1709 Captain 31 Rep 746 Posts Drives: 2007 328 Coupe Alpine White Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Saint Petersburg, Florida iTrader: (8)	There are new caps, made of plastic, but look the same as the chrome ones. Parts should have told you this. They are called "logo valve caps, abs". On a side note, I have aluminum caps on mine. They are OE on Lexus, Infiniti, ect. Aluminum caps won't have any issues on aluminum stems.
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07-11-2007, 08:33 AM	#13
msimon18 Retired 19 Rep 868 Posts Drives: Z4 s30i Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: The Villages, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 1965 Isetta 300 [0.00] 2004 1/5 Scale M3 GTR [10.00]	If memory serves me correctly the stems on non-run flats also have a brass threaded end. So why do they not seize with the aluminum etc. caps ?? Is this whole thread a hoax ??? __________________ M3 GTR - 1/5 scale - 4.2 HP w/ Collari hydraulic brakes - would you believe ~80 MPH on straightaway !!
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07-11-2007, 11:55 AM	#16
Alan(iX) Private First Class 4 Rep 159 Posts Drives: 2013 F10 535 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (2)	They laughed at me about this in Nov 2006... see post #1 & 5: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ight=valve+cap __________________ Alan(iX) 1988 BMW E30 325iX Ordered 6/29/2006, Built 9/6/2006, Delivered 9/29/2006: 2007 BMW E92 335i Coupe, 6MT, space grey, black leather, dark burl, CWP, ZPP, ZSP, Comfort Access, Nav, Power Rear Sun Shade, Park Distance Control, Sirius
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07-11-2007, 12:25 PM	#17
JIMD1709 Captain 31 Rep 746 Posts Drives: 2007 328 Coupe Alpine White Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Saint Petersburg, Florida iTrader: (8)	I remember that post. But, if you use aluminum caps on aluminum stems, no worries. that is the number one reason dive tanks have to be VIP'd every year. Aluminum tanks are notorious for having a dis-simmilar metal issue(valves are chrome plated brass). That is for you Divers out there, from an Ex-Navy diver. We inspected our own tanks, and you would see it now and then, not a huge issue, as if the tanks are kept full, the air inside is very dry, no moisture. Of course you can't be slapping anti-seize in air tanks! I personally check my inflation often enough to know with my aluminum caps on the TPMS stems, no issues. Like I stated before that is the way a lot of manufacturers do it. TPMS is on ALL cars now, some have plastic caps, some aluminum. I personally use the aluminum because I don't want to draw attention to my stems. I already have a huge roundel on my center cap. Another side note. You are seeing so many valve cap thefts, not all 4, because kids are putting them on their bikes! That is why you'll see only two missing sometimes! My wifes got stolen off her Mini (British Flags) and I caught the punk a week later, riding his BMX bike with them on. Of course I took them back ASAP. Kid told me BMW, MB, and Porsche were the ones kids wanted, and he liked the british flags!!
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07-11-2007, 12:42 PM	#19
phantom330 Captain 18 Rep 892 Posts Drives: e93 335i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: OH iTrader: (0)	That is strange that they would sell them if they were potentially damaging to the car. My question is, why were you getting a 3k mile oil change?
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