Metal valve stem caps

Maxwagen · 11-22-2019, 07:52 AM

So I recently noticed I was missing a valve stem cap, and I decided to order some of the metal ones with the BMW logo on them. However after they arrived, my buddy who is a Porsche service advisor told me that the metal ones often get seized onto the stem threads, and said not to use them. Has anyone had this experience with these? Does putting anti seize on them work? Or should I just not bother for such a trivial accessory and get regular ones?

oranga · 11-22-2019, 09:42 AM

I actually have had this happen to me, albeit on a different car. I think the issue was that the caps were aluminum, which can suffer from galling when in contact with certain steels. I took pliers and heat to them and couldnt get them off. I ended up taking it in to the dealer, and I'm not sure what they used, but they were able to get them off.

Hopefully since the ones you ordered are official BMW products, they are made from a compatible metal. Good luck!

Billfitz · 11-22-2019, 10:04 AM

Just about any metal other than stainless steel will oxidize, and I doubt the BMW caps are SS. Anti-seize would do the trick, but chances are fancy caps with the BMW logo would be stolen long before they corroded in place.

John in VA · 11-22-2019, 06:23 PM

An earlier version of the metal BMW caps came with a warning that they could become stuck. Anti-seize will help prevent this.

ooshnoo · 11-22-2019, 06:26 PM

I've had them for 3 years...got them on amazon for like $10. Never had an issue with them seizing. They always come off easily.

1QuikWS6 · 11-24-2019, 02:22 PM

I've used the aluminum Volks Ray's caps, with oring in either gunmetal, silver, or black to match the wheels since 2009 on all my BMW - both summer and winter with never a problem

Not using antiseize either...

Randy Johnson · 11-29-2019, 02:02 PM

I got these off amazon about a year ago. Have not had any problems with them.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Billfitz · 11-29-2019, 03:49 PM

They're plastic, so I wouldn't expect them to corrode.

eddymerckx3 · 11-30-2019, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

They're plastic, so I wouldn't expect them to corrode.

^ THIS ^ ...the BMW caps sold on the BMW accessories website are just "chrome plastic"

11-22-2019, 07:52 AM	#1
Maxwagen Private First Class 25 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 2017 330i Wagon Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Trumbull, CT iTrader: (0)	Metal valve stem caps So I recently noticed I was missing a valve stem cap, and I decided to order some of the metal ones with the BMW logo on them. However after they arrived, my buddy who is a Porsche service advisor told me that the metal ones often get seized onto the stem threads, and said not to use them. Has anyone had this experience with these? Does putting anti seize on them work? Or should I just not bother for such a trivial accessory and get regular ones? __________________ 2017 330i Wagon \| Glacier Silver/Black/Anthracite, M-sport, Nav, Tech, Premium, DA, DA+, Cold, LED's, Carplay
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11-22-2019, 09:42 AM	#2
oranga Second Lieutenant 87 Rep 221 Posts Drives: 335 6mt Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Houston iTrader: (4)	I actually have had this happen to me, albeit on a different car. I think the issue was that the caps were aluminum, which can suffer from galling when in contact with certain steels. I took pliers and heat to them and couldnt get them off. I ended up taking it in to the dealer, and I'm not sure what they used, but they were able to get them off. Hopefully since the ones you ordered are official BMW products, they are made from a compatible metal. Good luck!
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11-22-2019, 10:04 AM	#3
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8243 Rep 16,079 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Just about any metal other than stainless steel will oxidize, and I doubt the BMW caps are SS. Anti-seize would do the trick, but chances are fancy caps with the BMW logo would be stolen long before they corroded in place.
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11-22-2019, 06:23 PM	#4
John in VA Colonel 985 Rep 2,196 Posts Drives: 2015 228i M Sport Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Leesburg, VA iTrader: (6)	An earlier version of the metal BMW caps came with a warning that they could become stuck. Anti-seize will help prevent this. __________________ ____________________________________________ 2015 BMW 228i in EstorilBlau II Metallic / Terra Dakota Leather - 6-speed manual, M Sport Package, Cold Weather Package, Lighting Package, Premium Package, Harman Kardon premium sound, Anti-theft alarm system, Blue Metallic Matt Accent Moldings, Aluminum Hexagon Interior Strips, Anthracite Headlining
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11-22-2019, 06:26 PM	#5
ooshnoo Lieutenant Colonel 878 Rep 1,686 Posts Drives: 2014 428i and 2018 X5 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Buford, GA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW X5 [0.00] 2014 BMW 428i [10.00]	I've had them for 3 years...got them on amazon for like $10. Never had an issue with them seizing. They always come off easily. __________________ ___________________ 2014 F32 428i M-Sport 2018 F15 M-Sport
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11-24-2019, 02:22 PM	#6
1QuikWS6 No 55mph 1621 Rep 8,476 Posts Drives: F32 435ix MSport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Blitzburgh, PA iTrader: (113) Garage List 2022 BMW M440ix Vert [0.00] 2015 BMW 435ix MSport [0.00] 2000 Pontiac Trans Am [0.00]	I've used the aluminum Volks Ray's caps, with oring in either gunmetal, silver, or black to match the wheels since 2009 on all my BMW - both summer and winter with never a problem Not using antiseize either... __________________ F32 435ix//MGM//M Sport-Prem-Tech-Driver Assist-Lighting-Cold Weather-Dyn Handling Pkgs//M4 Black Lthr Int w/M4 Alum Blade Trim//HK w/Bavsound Stg3//763M//M4 Euro LCI Tails//M4 Mirrors w/CF Covers//AWCarbon CF F/R Spoilers-Side Splitters-Diffuser 6WB/ID6 HU+HUD/IND M4 Alcantara Armrest//PURE S2 Turbo//AA FMIC+DP//ER CP+TIC//3.5bar TMAP/TS DV//AWE Tuning Exh w/Blk Tips//Turner MS CF Intake//BM3 Cary Jordan Tune//MPerf Diff//PrecRW Ignition Kit
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11-29-2019, 02:02 PM	#7
Randy Johnson M340i 393 Rep 968 Posts Drives: BMW M340i Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: South FLA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2021 BMW M340i [10.00]	I got these off amazon about a year ago. Have not had any problems with them. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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11-29-2019, 03:49 PM	#8
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8243 Rep 16,079 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	They're plastic, so I wouldn't expect them to corrode.
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