Lost my valve stem caps

peterdf · 10-25-2016, 12:04 PM

So I was in a rush filling up air in my tires before Hurricane Matthew hit Florida a couple weeks back, and in the madness that is a gas station before a hurricane, I left the valve stem caps on the hood and drove off. I want to get a replacement set, but I don't wanna spend all that much. Would the dealership have replacement caps available to just give out, or do I have to order something from amazon/getbmwparts, etc?

overcoil · 10-25-2016, 01:17 PM

Dealer or tire store like JustTires. Firestone etcetera - just go in and ask, even a bike shop.
That would be for plastic or maybe green plastic ones.

But I like the metal ones that are thick and have rubber o-rings.

Viffermike · 10-25-2016, 02:26 PM

I'm a major proponent of brass ones with an O-ring seal. Valves can leak (and have, in my case); the O-ring keeps that under control ... and brass is softer than steel so you're much more likely to strip the cap than the valve if you screw it on wrong.

Look for ones with a relatively short threaded barrel, too. Ones that are too long will not screw down far enough for the O-ring to engage the top of the valve stem.

lieb923 · 10-25-2016, 09:03 PM

google milton s451 valve caps. It lets you fill it without removing the cap. It's short 3/4" and plastic so it doesn't affect the balance. Been using them for years. They are very cheap get 2 sets.

BEM-S4 · 10-26-2016, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viffermike

I'm a major proponent of brass ones with an O-ring seal. Valves can leak (and have, in my case); the O-ring keeps that under control ... and brass is softer than steel so you're much more likely to strip the cap than the valve if you screw it on wrong.

Look for ones with a relatively short threaded barrel, too. Ones that are too long will not screw down far enough for the O-ring to engage the top of the valve stem.

Could you post a link to a good set pls? I'm sure I'd get the wrong thing.

mdputnam · 10-26-2016, 11:05 AM

Are you always loosing your valve caps in a hurricane? Do you forget to put the valve caps back on during pit stops? Are you just down right forgetful? Well, never buy another valve cap again.

No Loss Valve Caps... Why didn't we think of that!

Viffermike · 10-26-2016, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Could you post a link to a good set pls? I'm sure I'd get the wrong thing.

I won't link to anything on the bay ... but that's your best bet. (That's where I've bought mine for years.) Jsut be sure you buy from a storefront that has a good rating and is not based in mainland Asia.

Use the pricey BMW replacements here as a guide re: dimensions and barrel length.

Because I'm (somewhat) anal, I have black ones on my stems since my wheels are powder-coated black. But I buy them in sets of 8 or 12 instead of 4 because, like you, I forget 'em sometimes!

Maynard · 10-27-2016, 12:07 AM

The cheapo black plastic ones are the minimalist racer way to go - that .05 grams of metal and o-ring would cost you at least .001 per lap. But seriously, put something on now - even if you order fancy ones, the big thing is keeping the valve clean so you don't blow crap into the tire next time you inflate.

10-25-2016, 12:04 PM	#1
peterdf Enlisted Member 31 Rep 37 Posts Drives: 2016 M235i Coupe Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Miami, FL, USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW M235i [10.00]	Lost my valve stem caps So I was in a rush filling up air in my tires before Hurricane Matthew hit Florida a couple weeks back, and in the madness that is a gas station before a hurricane, I left the valve stem caps on the hood and drove off. I want to get a replacement set, but I don't wanna spend all that much. Would the dealership have replacement caps available to just give out, or do I have to order something from amazon/getbmwparts, etc? __________________ BMW CCA Member# {512318}
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10-25-2016, 01:17 PM	#2
overcoil Major General 3079 Rep 5,578 Posts Drives: M235i 6spd Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	Dealer or tire store like JustTires. Firestone etcetera - just go in and ask, even a bike shop. That would be for plastic or maybe green plastic ones. But I like the metal ones that are thick and have rubber o-rings.
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10-25-2016, 02:26 PM	#3
Viffermike Colonel 1753 Rep 2,942 Posts Drives: '18 black-n-blue 718 Cayman Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Big D iTrader: (0)	I'm a major proponent of brass ones with an O-ring seal. Valves can leak (and have, in my case); the O-ring keeps that under control ... and brass is softer than steel so you're much more likely to strip the cap than the valve if you screw it on wrong. Look for ones with a relatively short threaded barrel, too. Ones that are too long will not screw down far enough for the O-ring to engage the top of the valve stem. __________________ --Life is a journey made more exciting with a fast car.-- --Helmets are for closers.-- <<Current: "Blackened" '18 NBM Porsche 718 Cayman ... Gone (but not forgotten): "Blackened" MG '15 228i M Sport w/aFe filter/scoop, Hertz drivers, P3Cars multigauge, other goodies>>
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10-25-2016, 09:03 PM	#4
lieb923 lieb923 12 Rep 49 Posts Drives: '15 M235Xi Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: United States iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW M235Xi [0.00]	Valve Caps google milton s451 valve caps. It lets you fill it without removing the cap. It's short 3/4" and plastic so it doesn't affect the balance. Been using them for years. They are very cheap get 2 sets.
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10-26-2016, 11:05 AM	#6
mdputnam Lieutenant 289 Rep 556 Posts Drives: 135i & M235i Convertibles Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Are you always loosing your valve caps in a hurricane? Do you forget to put the valve caps back on during pit stops? Are you just down right forgetful? Well, never buy another valve cap again. No Loss Valve Caps... Why didn't we think of that!
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10-27-2016, 12:07 AM	#8
Maynard Colonel 3856 Rep 2,876 Posts Drives: 228iX & M2C Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Upstate NY iTrader: (1)	The cheapo black plastic ones are the minimalist racer way to go - that .05 grams of metal and o-ring would cost you at least .001 per lap. But seriously, put something on now - even if you order fancy ones, the big thing is keeping the valve clean so you don't blow crap into the tire next time you inflate.
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