Yikes....$$$$$$$$

[Grumbles]

I went into one of those chain type auto accessories/parts etc shops the other day. I needed a couple of new tyre valve caps...you know...just the plain old plastic jobbies. Found a packet of 4 and was stopped in my tracks. $14.95 for the pack of four. They stayed there!!

[p38arover]

Last year I needed a rated shackle (or 2). Bunnings was literally half the price of SuperCrap.

[Bigbjorn]

I went into one of those chain type auto accessories/parts etc shops the other day. I needed a couple of new tyre valve caps...you know...just the plain old plastic jobbies. Found a packet of 4 and was stopped in my tracks. $14.95 for the pack of four. They stayed there!!

You pay for them? I thought you just picked up a few on your way through the supermarket car park. Many 4WD's have the spare tyre mounted at a convenient height.[bigwhistle]

[Don 130]

Go to a tyre shop. They'll give you a handfull.
Don.

[trout1105]

I don't use them as I am forever airing up and down they are a PITA to replace all the time.

[V8Ian]

They're also the primary seal. The valve is the secondary seal.

[scarry]

Metal ones are the best,they have a rubber seal and don't leak if the valve is leaking slightly.

I generally find them on the ground around the air pump at garages,don't think i have ever bought one.

[trout1105]

They're also the primary seal. The valve is the secondary seal.

The primary is the Valve, The cap is there simply to keep the dirt, dust, mud out of the valve stem.
Try pumping your tyre up without a valve in it and just rely on the cap to hold the air in there and you will soon realise that the valve IS the main seal[biggrin]

Even my Missus knows that and she is definitely Not a motoring expert.

[V8Ian]

Like you even your missus is wrong, unless you're smarter than the engineers from the Tyre & Rim Association.
Most people, myself included, wrongly treat the valve as the primary seal. The cap is also important for keeping the valve contaminant and damage free. Only a fool would not use valve caps.

[trout1105]

IF the rim and tyre association belive that those silly little plasic caps will hold the air in a 4WD tyre at 40psi (envision a truck tyre at 100psi+) or more without the valve doing its job then they are sadly deluded.
YES i Agree that the caps do a great job of keeping the crap out of the valve stem BUT a tyre WILL stay inflated without them, Not so much without a valve fitted and relying on that ridicules bit of plastic to hold the air in there though.
The VALVE IS the mechanism that seals the valve stem, The cap is simply a dust cover to keep the crap out of the valve stem and is NOT the Major component keeping the pressure in the tyre.
As I air up and down on a regular basis ( at least twice a week) I am always aware of the tyre pressures on my 4wd's and I always ensure that the valve stem is clean Before I air up again.
When is the last time you or many others here actually physically checked the tyre pressures on your cars/4WD's.
The valve cap is a dust, dirt, mud "Cap" and nothing more.

[scarry]

The valve cap is a dust, dirt, mud "Cap" and nothing more.

Maybe for the plastic ones,but a metal one,with a rubber seal,which is fitted at tyreshops that use quality gear,will definitely hold the air in the tyre if the tyre valve is leaking.In fact,the metal one should be the only type that is used on any tyre.And it will hold 100PSI easily.

[Meccles]

Ahh semantics! My bet is Tyre and rim association do list cap as primary seal. Which as per them may be "correct" But I've never unscrewed a cap and had pressure behind it so that valve behind it has done a first class job. But this thread has deviated. It was about cost/value at large auto part stores. I recently needed some automotive electrical connectors nothing complex. Local large auto store price - 3 times what I could buy same style connector from Jaycar.

[V8Ian]

IF the rim and tyre association belive that those silly little plasic caps will hold the air in a 4WD tyre at 40psi (envision a truck tyre at 100psi+) or more without the valve doing its job then they are sadly deluded.
YES i Agree that the caps do a great job of keeping the crap out of the valve stem BUT a tyre WILL stay inflated without them, Not so much without a valve fitted and relying on that ridicules bit of plastic to hold the air in there though.
The VALVE IS the mechanism that seals the valve stem, The cap is simply a dust cover to keep the crap out of the valve stem and is NOT the Major component keeping the pressure in the tyre.
As I air up and down on a regular basis ( at least twice a week) I am always aware of the tyre pressures on my 4wd's and I always ensure that the valve stem is clean Before I air up again.
When is the last time you or many others here actually physically checked the tyre pressures on your cars/4WD's.
The valve cap is a dust, dirt, mud "Cap" and nothing more.
Whatever.

[gromit]

Buy a packet of 100 on Ebay for a few dollars, delivered to your door.

100pc Plastic Gray TPMS Tire-Tyre Valve Stem Caps-Cover Kit Car Truck Motorcycle | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/100pc-Plastic-Gray-TPMS-Tire-Tyre-Valve-Stem-Caps-Cover-Kit-Car-Truck-Motorcycle/123929254034?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item1cdac25892:g:21YAAOSw10VcUsHN&enc=AQAEAAACQBPxNw%2BVj6nta7CKEs3N0qUZKgoo2asqdXwr IowJ21gl8%2FLQFfBmEuZZG5ren%2BTX7KSJ2Yf%2F3tfx20Sk RKSyQ0t4wYy%2B5YBBtIFN8Q7AIkbER9iik6N5FTaGHNL8aBSe QlCR3MnBZGVEGd8mlDbJFxOakM44ZPyBDE2%2FsEzCNAXVHuW% 2BNpglVIqNjdRo0BHDIh%2BCw%2BkMYuvnoq%2BqqSzHH5io%2 BAFjohI1qZKPa0NZtCNGQ5DsjPXU3WHZ27ZBHQvuiaNl2UIwtW tY%2BW%2Bf6uxQ0oqkauq5l6WpqvJOSJSd34g26Lr%2Bp4STNz mETQEPHSjHYiar%2FxDUYNXmC1JjZTQVYn7VQqjJ2gQ7VQ6Z%2 FzJ1fCo5A2GqyDe38454gmVxSn%2BzO00950OcClu0NOLsOTV2 xHeyiiVMuEAwQPf2y584WqMbo62wGDQaiV3N%2BNLXXW3tr8D8 RcWeqSv9xR1Rz0EgvvPj10ArS3Otrrxi404Gf7AykqWDYmTZO2 YIKQXPXdSnb%2Fnk%2F3Tmvt2ZSxndi8ySHJU6onJoPr%2B6xC TJGQezkh4W7GQaM1hszFbrCRflRUGiyEtFSy2uwg41H6%2BTQJ x100aJhsJXdikx1H4qRR%2BpEvF7EJcuIqjmTtxGowmwhzM1ck G8ddLnh9ch9I6azyTDrf4HPXOI4w8g6n2diM43Tyz3q4%2FZl5 f8CfNtvvV8LNBZWTqtj9lj8RdjaJn53x%2FZVYvCyP0O3b1TrK cOc%2BVKzUr%2FafYUamXYyeZ7W2c6gR1oHQ%3D%3D&checksum=12392925403460498f2f2c3a4016af72c4b88a5a0 296)

I was worried about the quality but have tightened them up to the point of almost splitting without issue.

There are also lots of aluminium ones, groovy colours etc. etc. all at low prices although with the current situation in China delivery may be extended.


Colin

[jonesfam]

You can even get them with the Land Rover logo on them.
Fully ready to be knocked off when you are not looking.
Jonesfam

[Tins]

I don't use them as I am forever airing up and down they are a PITA to replace all the time.

Plus, you put 'em down and they disappear.

[Tins]

Whatever.

You'd be happy to take out your multi trailered Western Star without valves, Ian? I wouldn't, but I'd have taken out my 34 wheel double without caps without a thought if no caps were present to fit. And scarry, no way would I have taken out this truck with metal caps with seals, even if they were made of unobtanium. The thing could gross at over 60 Tonne ffs.
Pretty sure the RMS, or VicRoads, or any Government road authority would have something to say about the scenarios above.

The idea that the cap is the primary seal is absurd, unless Ian's Tyre and Rim mob mean primary in its literal sense, as in the first one you encounter. Valves are designed to tighten their seal as pressure increases, caps most certainly are not.

Would you put your wife and kids in a car if you knew it only had caps on the tyres, and not valves? Really? Ask your tyre service to do this, and see what answer you get.

[bob10]

Maybe for the plastic ones,but a metal one,with a rubber seal,which is fitted at tyreshops that use quality gear,will definitely hold the air in the tyre if the tyre valve is leaking.In fact,the metal one should be the only type that is used on any tyre.And it will hold 100PSI easily.

I didn't know you could get metal ones. Semantics, I guess. Looking at a valve, the first point of entry is the cap [ primary] the second the valve. [ secondary] My thinking is you can have the valve and no cap, but not vice versa. It's too early to think, my brain hurts.

[scarry]

You'd be happy to take out your multi trailered Western Star without valves, Ian? I wouldn't, but I'd have taken out my 34 wheel double without caps without a thought if no caps were present to fit. And scarry, no way would I have taken out this truck with metal caps with seals, even if they were made of unobtanium. The thing could gross at over 60 Tonne ffs.
Pretty sure the RMS, or VicRoads, or any Government road authority would have something to say about the scenarios above.

The idea that the cap is the primary seal is absurd, unless Ian's Tyre and Rim mob mean primary in its literal sense, as in the first one you encounter. Valves are designed to tighten their seal as pressure increases, caps most certainly are not.

Would you put your wife and kids in a car if you knew it only had caps on the tyres, and not valves? Really? Ask your tyre service to do this, and see what answer you get.

You obviously didnt read my post,or other posts correctly,only a fool would use a valve cap and no tyre valve core in the tyre.
That situation hasn't been mentioned any where on here.

i will say it again,the metal cap will hold pressure IF THE TYRE VALVE LEAKS.That is why it has a rubber seal in it.
The plastic caps are not much more than a dust cap,i doubt they would hold much pressure at all.

Exactly the same as the brass caps on schrader valves on refrigeration systems,refrigerant bottles,etc.They will hold up to around 400PSI if the valve leaks,have a rubber seal,same as metal tyre valve caps.

Yes i know,its as clear as mud[bighmmm]

[3toes]

When was last having the tyres on my car replaced the bloke doing the work was grumbling about metal tyre valve caps. Reckoned that some of them were heavy enough to throw out the tyre balance. Seems they are trendy at the moment and was glad mine had standard plastic type

[trout1105]

You obviously didnt read my post,or other posts correctly,only a fool would use a valve cap and no tyre valve core in the tyre.
That situation hasn't been mentioned any where on here.

i will say it again,the metal cap will hold pressure IF THE TYRE VALVE LEAKS.That is why it has a rubber seal in it.
The plastic caps are not much more than a dust cap,i doubt they would hold much pressure at all.

Exactly the same as the brass caps on schrader valves on refrigeration systems,refrigerant bottles,etc.They will hold up to around 400PSI if the valve leaks,have a rubber seal,same as metal tyre valve caps.

Yes i know,its as clear as mud[bighmmm]

If your tyre valve is leaking wouldn't it be more prudent/safer/cheaper to simply replace the faulty valve in the first place instead of just relying on the cap?
$14.99 will get you 100's of new valves and regardless of how good the valve cap is the valve itself will do a far superior job of sealing the valve stem.
Personally I always have plenty of spare valves in my tool kit and no special tools needed to check a valves integrity, A simple bit of spit applied over the end of the valve stem will tell you if it is working or not[biggrin][thumbsupbig]

[scarry]

If your tyre valve is leaking wouldn't it be more prudent/safer/cheaper to simply replace the faulty valve in the first place instead of just relying on the cap?
$14.99 will get you 100's of new valves and regardless of how good the valve cap is the valve itself will do a far superior job of sealing the valve stem.
Personally I always have plenty of spare valves in my tool kit and no special tools needed to check a valves integrity, A simple bit of spit applied over the end of the valve stem will tell you if it is working or not[biggrin][thumbsupbig]

Correct,but the valve maybe leaking and the vehicle owner does not know know its leaking.

Not all people are on to things like you or many on here.

i always check if the valve is leaking after airing up or down,but i wonder how many actually do?
I do the same on the bike tyres,trailer tyres,actually all tyres.

So a metal cap with a good seal is a safety device for some.

[RANDLOVER]

You pay for them? I thought you just picked up a few on your way through the supermarket car park. Many 4WD's have the spare tyre mounted at a convenient height.[bigwhistle]
For those who don't want to stoop to stealing? [biggrin]

[Tins]

You obviously didnt read my post,or other posts correctly,only a fool would use a valve cap and no tyre valve core in the tyre.
That situation hasn't been mentioned any where on here.


Yes i know,its as clear as mud[bighmmm]

Not really true, Paul. I most certainly DID read your posts. Ian clearly stated that the cap was the "primary seal". You popped in with your metal cap thing. I did not assume you were advocating using a cap only, but Ian's assertion could lead one to the conclusion that he was. Now, I know that Ian is a pro truck driver, and I know he wouldn't do what I said in my post. I don't think that you would either. But I felt it needed to be stated clearly in case the kiddies were reading the thread and getting it wrong. As you said, "only a fool". Well, there are lots of fools. I am guilty, as are most of us, of foolishness. However, 'the gun is always loaded' is a truism, and it can be applied to so many situations, suitably modified. Saying that the cap is the primary seal of a tyre valve fits that category, IMO.