Tyre Valve cap Stuck - Sheard Valve Getting It Off !

[WindyChuffer]

- Tried to get my original metal valve cap off and couldn't so used the pliers in the 1200 toolkit.
- With feck all force the valve sheared! FFS.
- As the valve and pressure sensor sender is one single unit, I assumed this would be covered nicely by the warranty so had the bike recovered to Park Lane.
- BMW - HQ said no, despite the Park Lane folks trying hard.
- In the end, BMW Park Lane Service paid for the replacement valve/sensor/sender thingy.

- I noticed that the valve caps had been changed to plastic ones, and looking at other bikes around me at Park Lane they all had plastic caps too.
- So it seems the BMW went through a phase of fitting metal valve caps and they have reverted to plastic ones; I guess they were corroding themselves to the tyre valve hence my issue.

Clearly BMW had a problem that they were trying to keep quite, but instead of doing the right thing and warrantying the valve sensor thingy they behaved like a bunch of cuts. Do they think customers are stupid and they won't notice these things? Wankers.

Park Lane Service on the other hand have gone the extra mile in footing the bill for the new sensor thingy, after seemingly being stitched up by BMW HQ. Also got a good price on tyres whilst I was in there....

[Yes I know Park Lane is owned by BMW, but different profit / cost centres etc.]

 

[Beemerman59]

I have metal valve caps on my TP monitors and have'nt had any issues. There's no sign of any corrosion either and they have been fitted for over 3 years now. There should be a rubber seal where they seat against the valve - well mine have them. Not sure if those make any difference.

 

[claw]

Was it a second hand bike, i've only known them use plastic, could it be another owner changed them over?

 

[WindyChuffer]

New; March '11 vintage. Metal caps from new, complete with o-ring seal. All good valve caps should have an o-ring as the valve forms part of the seal to keep the air in.

 

[EggChaser]

I bought metal valve caps for my mountain bike a few years ago, the specialist on the shop I bought them from told me to periodically loosen them and re-tighten them especially if riding in water, mud or rain as then you are less likely to have corrosion be a problem.

Useful advice that I have followed with all my vehicles if I saw they had metal valve caps.

 

[Neil A]

valve caps

Why not put some copper grease on the threads before fitting them? I presume that would stop any corrosion? In any case, you have to take them off pretty regularly to check the tyre pressures.

I have always switched to metal ones as soon as I got any vehicle (bike, car, bicycle) and never had any corrosion issues. Must have fitted 70 or 80 over the years, even on off-road bikes. I always assumed they would be better at stopping any slight leak from the valves. Probably wasting my money!

 

[WindyChuffer]

Why not put some copper grease on the threads before fitting them? I presume that would stop any corrosion? In any case, you have to take them off pretty regularly to check the tyre pressures.

I have always switched to metal ones as soon as I got any vehicle (bike, car, bicycle) and never had any corrosion issues. Must have fitted 70 or 80 over the years, even on off-road bikes. I always assumed they would be better at stopping any slight leak from the valves. Probably wasting my money!

I didn't fit them BMW did, and I never had any need to take them off.

Why would you check your tyre pressures manually if you have tyre pressure sensors and on board computer? Doh.

 

[Neil A]

Good point

Good point - should have read the original post more carefully. Never had anything as sophisticated as that!

 

[Beemerman59]

I didn't fit them BMW did, and I never had any need to take them off.

Why would you check your tyre pressures manually if you have tyre pressure sensors and on board computer? Doh.

Depends if you trust their accuracy or not. I have TP sensors but still check the pressures with a gauge. I also vary pressures according to the load I'm carrying which has to be done when you're stationary with cold temperatures and therefore cannot use the TPS. I only rely on the TPS to tell me when I have a slow puncture anyway.

 

[SMB]

I put a dash of ACF into the valve cap. No problems at all now, prior to that they became a little stiff to undo.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Clearly BMW had a problem that they were trying to keep quite, but instead of doing the right thing and warrantying the valve sensor thingy they behaved like a bunch of cuts. Do they think customers are stupid and they won't notice these things? Wankers.

They probably think you are stupid and are still laughing. I suspect you have gone straight into the top 10 of ridiculous warranty claims from 1200 owners

This is a joke right. Are you seriously saying that BMW have changed to plastic caps because of this? I think you'll probably find it's cost mate as metal caps have been used for eons

Jesus H Christ, if you can't be feckin bothered to check your tyres manually occasionally, you deserve everything you get.

 

[Blackal]

Why not put some copper grease on the threads before fitting them? I presume that would stop any corrosion?

I wouldn't recommend using any lubricant with particles in it. Sooner or later, they will find their way into the valve.

A light smear of oil, or vaseline is as far as I would go.

Al

 

[Wapping]

They probably think you are stupid and are still laughing. I suspect you have gone straight into the top 10 of ridiculous warranty claims from 1200 owners

I am visiting Park Lane at Battersea in a week or so's time, so will share in the joke with them. It is excellent timing as they have only just stopped laughing about the mad Chinese bloke, who arrived ranting and raving that he had been ripped-off buying a helmet.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I am visiting Park Lane at Battersea in a week or so's time, so will share in the joke with them. It is excellent timing as they have only just stopped laughing about the mad Chinese bloke, who arrived ranting and raving that he had been ripped-off buying a helmet.

Lol....

Most dealers have some fab stories

 

[WindyChuffer]

Jesus H Christ, if you can't be feckin bothered to check your tyres manually occasionally, you deserve everything you get.

OK clever clogs, why would you check them manually when you have tyre pressure sensors? I actually know from measuring the pressures that the reading on the dashboard is accurate enough and further, stable and consistent. It is only of concern when the reading starts dropping. Therefore there is absolutely no need for a manual check whatsoever.

Just what is reasonable about a metal valve cap corroding to the valve?

This is a joke right. Are you seriously saying that BMW have changed to plastic caps because of this? I think you'll probably find it's cost mate as metal caps have been used for eons

No I am not saying that. Read my post properly FFS. You may well be correct on the cost theory.

I would add that all this happened at work, when I attempted to repair a puncture myself. I carry a compressor plus stop-n-go tyre plugs and know how to use it; unlike the majority of 1200 owners who don't even bother or can't. But was fooked when the valve sheared....

I am visiting Park Lane at Battersea in a week or so's time, so will share in the joke with them. It is excellent timing as they have only just stopped laughing about the mad Chinese bloke, who arrived ranting and raving that he had been ripped-off buying a helmet.

Laugh away mate with your small minded perspective on life. I couldn't give a flying f*ck. Maybe you should go to the gents with whoever you are laughing with and compare your penis sizes and laugh at that too. I'm £120 better off (or whatever the cost is for a valve/sensor/sender thing supplied & fitted) as I didn't have to pay for the repair of an item that failed unreasonably.

 

[Wapping]

Laugh away mate

'Mate'?

I'm not a taxi driver, you know.

 

[WindyChuffer]

'Mate'?

I'm not a taxi driver, you know.

Why would I care what your occupation is or isn't ?