Added on January 29, 2019 Aaron Widmar tire caps , tire plugs , Tires , valve stem , valve stem cap , valve stem caps
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Most of us don’t give those plastic caps on our car’s tires a second glance after filling them with air, but even the smallest parts of a car serve a purpose — and can be gaudily tricked out. If you’d like to know more about valve stem caps, these are the most commonly asked questions.
Your Guide to Proper Tire Care: Information on tread depth, alignment, and more
That plastic screw-on cap on the tip of that knob protruding from the tire is a valve stem cap. It keeps dirt, moisture, and small debris from entering into the tire. It protects the Schrader valve, which is what keeps the air or nitrogen in your tires.
Because valve stem caps aren’t designed to keep air in the tire, losing one won’t result in that tire deflating. However, it may cause internal damage to the tire if the exposed Schrader valve gets damaged. Luckily, it is not an expensive part to replace, as most stem caps are one-size-fits-all, and you can pick a pack up online for a couple bucks.
The standard valve stem cap is a boring plastic cone, but you’d be amazed at the numerous varieties of decorative caps you can purchase. With selections ranging from dice to bullets to crowns to rhinestone-encrusted studs, there’s a cap for your style. Just be aware that the nicer the are, the more of a target they’ll be for thieves.
Sometimes, your valve stem caps may fuse to the stem, especially if they’re made of a low-quality metal that rusted.
If lubricants don’t loosen it, you can cut the top and sides of the cap with a hacksaw and carefully avoid cutting into the valve itself. This should loosen it enough for you to pry it off.
When the Temperature Changes… How do you know which tire to install?
Sources: BlueStar, It Still Runs
Aaron Widmar
Aaron is unashamed to be a native Clevelander and the proud driver of a Hyundai Veloster Turbo (which recently replaced his 1995 Saturn SC-2). He gleefully utilizes his background in theater, literature, and communication to dramatically recite his own articles to nearby youth. Mr. Widmar happily resides in Dayton, Ohio with his magnificent wife, Vicki, but is often on the road with her exploring new destinations. Aaron has high aspirations for his writing career but often gets distracted pondering the profound nature of the human condition and forgets what he was writing… See more articles by Aaron.
People have long been debating whether tire dust caps are necessary or not, and for good reason!
Everyone wants to be safe when riding their bike or driving their car, but do bike tires actually need dust caps or are they simply a waste of money and another redundant lump of plastic?
This detailed guide to valve caps refers to valve caps of all types; car, bicycle, and motorbike.
I’ll cover the pros and cons of dust caps, what they’re used for and whether or not you need them on your tires.
Let’s cut to the chase.
Add a header to begin generating the table of contents
Valve caps, often called dust caps or tire pressure caps, are the tiny plastic caps that screw onto tire valves.
In addition to bikes, tire valve caps are found on the valves of motorbikes, cars and just about every other automobile.
Responsible for keeping the general area of the bike valve clean, tire valve caps protect the valve from dust, dirt, and debris, preventing build-ups that can cause the valve to deteriorate.
As one of the smallest components of a bike, bike valve caps are easily overlooked and forgotten. Despite this, they play an essential role in maintaining a well-functioning bicycle.
A common misconception is that the valve cap is the barrier keeping the air inside a bike tire.
However, the actual seal is the valve itself.
This issue is misleading to many because some valve caps are sold as “tire pressure caps”, which suggests they help maintain tire pressure, but it’s not that simple.
While tires won’t instantly deflate from being used without dust caps, they benefit from using them, especially in the long run.
Essentially, without a cap, the valve is much more vulnerable to damaging dirt and buildup that will cause the valve to wear out faster.
Whilst tires won't instantly deflate without a valve cap, the valve can deteriorate over time if left exposed to the elementsOver time, dirt and grim can make their way into the valve, causing excessive wear and corrosion, leading to leaks and loss of tire pressure.
If a leak is present within the valve, sometimes the entirety of the bike tube must be replaced. Alternatively, some vehicles have valve stems that can be replaced independently from the tire or inner tube.
It’s important to know that a damaged or leaky valve will continue to leak air even if a new tire valve cap is fitted.
This is because caps aren’t airtight, and air will find its way out over time.
This reinforces the idea that bike tires and all tires, in general, can deflate if used without valve caps.
Now that you understand the importance of dust caps, you may have already been searching for a pair online.
But before you buy any, you’ll need to know which valve caps you require.
Cars and other automobiles tend to use Schrader valves to inflate their tires, whereas modern bicycles can use a Presta or Schrader valve.
So, you now need to figure out which valve you have to buy the correct cap.
Below I’ve put together a simple guide to help you quickly figure out which valve stem covers you’ll need. But it will be more beneficial if you read my guide on bike valve types, which will teach you all you need to know.
Whilst colorful, cheap metal dust caps may look cool on your car or bike, they really aren’t worth your money.
Most of the very cheap metal dust caps are made using low-end metals which corrode quickly and can fuse onto the valve’s threading, resulting in costly repairs.
If you’re determined to buy a set of metal dust caps, make sure they’re of good quality. Some metal dust caps are available that have a plastic interior that will prevent internal corrosion.
Personally, I’m happy to use plastic caps, they don’t corrode easily, are much cheaper and are less likely to be kicked by petty thieves!
The links below will allow you to view a range of valve caps on Amazon.
Schrader valves are wider and typically shorter than Presta valves.
Schrader valves are the valves you’d find on a car wheel, so they’re more common than Presta valves.
You can use the image above to help identify a Schrader valve or this in-depth guide will answer all of your valve-related questions
If you’ve established you need a Schrader valve cap you can view some affordable options here [Amazon].
Presta valves are long and thin compared to Schrader valves.
Presta valves are opened with a small nut on the top of the valve, allowing the valve to open when loosened and the tire inflated.
Presta valves caps are pointer than Schrader valve caps which have a more cylindrical shape.
If you have any question regarding valve types, this in-depth guide will answer all of your valve-related questions.
If you need a Presta valve cap, you can view a wide variety of options and prices here [Amazon].
Valve dust caps can be found in various stores online and on the high street.
As covered above, dust caps range from inexpensive, simple plastic designs to higher-end metal or detailed moulded plastic models.
Tire pressure caps can be found at nearly every bike shop, sporting goods store, or automotive store and are easily found online.
When in doubt, a bike shop is one of the best places to look if you’ve discovered you have a missing tire cap.
Online retailers offer an extensive range of valve covers, including designs you won’t find on the high street.
The most affordable tire valve caps I could find with fast delivery can be viewed here [Amazon].
If you’re struggling to choose the right caps for your valve types read my in-depth guide on the different bike valve types!
Bicycle valve caps are incredibly inexpensive and may be the most affordable bike part you can purchase.
A set of “high quality” dust caps will typically cost under ten dollars (five pounds), but these aren’t necessary, and a two-dollar (one pound) set will provide the same function.
Cheaper valve stem caps are usually made from black plastic to blend in with the tire, but they also come in many colours.
From LED lights to character-themed 3D models, novelty valve caps are cost-effective to add decoration and personal style to any bike or automobile.
There are even tire pressure caps that warn you if your tire pressure is low! Handy, but non-essential.
As mentioned above, however, spending more on your dust caps won’t change the service they provide unless specifically mentioned on the product.
Additionally, tire valve caps don’t secure in place and are often stolen by opportunist thieves, so if you buy expensive, flashy caps, expect them to be knicked at some point!
After learning more about bike valve caps, you still may be wondering; are tire valve caps really essential?
Overall, despite their proven benefits and protective abilities, having a bike valve cap at all times is not an absolute necessity.
Since a bike tire will not deflate without the cap, chances are that riding without one will not cause immediate problems for you.
However, it is also important to note that the price of replacing a new inner tube after damages from dirt buildup is much higher (sometimes more than 10 times higher) in cost than a simple replacement valve cap.
Because of this, it is definitely recommended that you keep an extra valve cap handy in case you lose one!
I especially recommend valve stem covers to anyone who travels off-road. Whether you’re driving a 4×4 or riding a mountain bike, using stem caps off-road is essential due to the increased amount of dirt and debris you’ll encounter.
Overall, when it comes to using dust caps, the benefits they bring to your bike will usually outweigh any of these cons.
So you’re riding or driving and notice that the dust cap is missing from the tire valve, don’t panic; it’s a simple, inexpensive fix!
Follow the steps below and you’ll have nothing to worry about:
| Missing Dust Caps - What to Do |
|---|
| Before replacing a missing tire dust cover, clean the valve stem with a soft cloth to remove any dirt or debris |
| Next, let a few sharp bursts of air out of the tire, this will flush out any grime inside or around the entrance to the valve |
| Re-inflate the tire to its required pressure and attach a new dust cap to prevent any issues |
| Job done! |
So you’re riding or driving and notice that the dust cap is missing from the tire valve, don’t panic; it’s a simple, inexpensive fix!
Follow the steps below and you’ll have nothing to worry about. If you have a plastic cap stuck on your tire valve, step one should be all you need.
But whichever dust cap you’re using, start with the ‘Step 1’ table below, if the heating method fails to work, move onto the ‘Step 2’ table.
These steps should not be attempted by children and are best followed by a confident adult.
Tools required for step 1:
Tools required for step 2:
| Stem Cap Removal Step 1 - Heating Method |
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| Stem Cap Removal Step 2 - Filing Method |
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In summary, a tire dust cap (also called a bicycle valve cap or valve cover) is the small screw-on cover found on many vehicle tire valves.
These valve stem covers do an excellent job of keeping out dust and grime that can harm the valve and inner tubes.
Bicycle valve covers are crucial for those that regularly cross terrain such as muddy or dusty trails, paths and roads.
While dust caps are not necessary for a bike or automobile to function, they will ultimately protect your valve from damage and save you from more costly repairs.
If you’re deciding between replacing a lost dust cap or just letting the valve stay uncovered, it is in your best interest to purchase a new one.
Not only will this hardly make a dent in your pocket, but it is always better to be safe rather than sorry when maintaining any vehicle.
Not having a bicycle valve cap will not cause your tire to deflate immediately, but it may lead to the unprotected valve becoming damaged by dirt and debris over time.
Thanks for reading, be sure to check out my other guides, such as the only uncuttable bike locks.
As always, lock it or lose it.
Ciao for now.
Valve stem seals are elements in the engine gas distribution system that are subject to heavy and rapid wear. Many call them “consumables”, in fact they are spare parts that are very difficult to access. Their replacement causes certain difficulties for car owners and auto mechanics.
Oil seal - a metal part with a rubber “cap”. Inside the case there is a bushing and a spring, which tightly covers the annular rubber seal of this part. It is needed to fix the metal and rubber part of the cap and press it against the valve. This mechanism also prevents oil leakage. nine0003
If we talk about the durability of “consumables”, then the materials from which they are made are evaluated. If fluororubber or acrylic was used, the parts will have a fairly high seal and wear out more slowly, and if they are made of fluoroplastic, the parts will be less efficient to use. You can consider them as an alternative if there is a shortage of funds for quality materials or as a temporary solution. nine0003
If we talk about the direct purpose of these parts - they are responsible for the good operation of the camshaft and for the lubricant to enter the combustion chamber. If there are no problems, the valve is actively moved and the excess is removed.
Replacing oil seals for many cars is carried out according to the same principle. This is necessary when the rubber element is worn out, due to poor quality materials or the influence of engine temperature conditions. It is worth noting that all spare parts are immediately replaced, even if only one is out of order. This will protect you from further work and allow the car to work in the usual mode. nine0003
Rubber caps tend to wear out, they lose their elasticity, so oil begins to flow into the combustion chamber and disrupts the operation of the candles.
After that, difficulties begin with starting the engine.
Cheap and low-quality materials, accelerate wear by almost two times.
The wear of the caps cannot be checked visually. They are located in the engine and in order to replace them, you need to know the device of the machine well and how to remove them correctly so as not to hurt other parts. nine0003
There are only two types of caps. This is very important to consider when replacing them. Therefore, you need to know what they look like. The first gland is a lip valve. There is a very simple device - the rubber element is located on the metal part, which is responsible for the direction of movement. Due to the ease of manufacture and low cost of materials - this type is the most common among valve stem seals.
Of the minuses, it is worth highlighting only that they are quite difficult to replace by yourself and professional tools are needed. nine0003
The second type of oil seal is installed under the spring.
It is responsible for stabilization and allows you to seal the joint, oil does not enter the combustion chamber. Of the advantages of the stuffing box, the following are distinguished: there is no heating of the head, high wear resistance, ease of installation. But they are more expensive than cuffs.
To replace the valve stem seals, you will need the following set:
All this is desirable to prepare in advance, and most importantly be able to use them.
Remove the air filter first, then the fuel pump and ignition distributor. After that, you also need to remove the valve cover and camshaft. Then you need to correctly remove the above parts and remove the valve lifters and shims. nine0003
Many parts will need to be returned in the correct order. Therefore, with spare parts you need to be as careful as possible. This approach will allow you to install the part and not disrupt the engine in the future. If you install them in the wrong sequence, you will break the thermal gaps and ruin the working parts.
Next is to unscrew the necessary spare parts with a spark plug wrench. The choice of candle depends on the cylinder. After that, they need to be wiped and checked for soot, set aside the candles and crank the crankshaft until the piston is placed at the top point. Then you need to insert a tin rod into the candle hole. If it is still not there, use a thin rope. It must be inserted into the hole so that it fills the entire space inside. nine0003
Then you need to install the valve cracker. To do this, you need to fix the support rail with nuts on the extreme bolt studs so that you can position the adaptation lever and drown the valve.
After secure fixation, press the handle of the cracker and compress the valve spring.
After long-nose pliers or metal tweezers, two valve crackers must be removed.
Next, you need to remove the upper valve plate and all springs. Only after these steps you will see the valve stem seal. Its dismantling is carried out using a special puller. It should be noted that the puller is needed mainly for caps with a rubber cuff. nine0003
Dismantling is carried out as follows:
In this way we get a pressed cap and take it out calmly.
It is possible to remove the caps without pullers and even without the cylinder head. This is necessary if you do not need to change the gasket or remove the intake and exhaust manifolds.
The following set of tools needs to be prepared:
nine0011 To get started, the valve stem seals must be accessible. To do this, remove the negative terminal from the battery. After you need to remove the V-ribbed belt. To do this, put the head on the tension roller bolt and turn it clockwise until the spring is compressed. Then you need to remove the belt from the pulley, lower the tension roller and remove the belt completely.
Remove the spark plugs after the belt. To do this, you need to remove the cover of the ignition coil, but before that you need to move it towards the passenger compartment and lift it a little. After disconnecting the ignition coil terminal, unscrew the 2 mounting bolts. After carefully remove the ignition coil and unscrew the candles. nine0003
Next, remove the timing belt cover. It is necessary to disconnect or cut the ties of the wire casing, which is attached to the top of the protective casing, and then pull out all the wires. Next, unscrew the fastening nuts and completely remove the belt. Then remove the protective cover.
To remove the timing belt itself, unscrew the 4 bolts securing the V-ribbed belt to the crankshaft. After putting the piston of 1 cylinder to the top point. The mark must match the mark on the engine. If you remove the protection from the crankshaft, there is no need to match the marks from below, then you need to loosen the belt tensioner bolt and the hexagon and turn the eccentric counterclockwise. Remove it, and then the timing belt. nine0003
The camshafts must then be removed. To do this, unscrew the mounting bolts, disconnect the pipes and remove the valve cover. After you need to loosen the bolts of the pulleys and camshafts. They do not need to be removed if they are in good condition and do not need to be replaced.
After that, you need to remove the camshaft mounting covers or, as they are also called, the yoke. It is worth noting that each cover has its own serial number, so you need to keep a close eye on this. To properly remove the covers, you need to unscrew them in this order:
The hydraulic lifters must then be carefully removed. You can do it by hand or use a suction cup to wipe the valves.
After it is necessary to dry out the valves and further remove the valve stem seals.
If you did not turn the crankshaft while removing the timing belt, the pistons of cylinders 1 and 4 are in the BMT. But it is best to check the correspondence of the marks and only then proceed to the replacement of the oil seals. It is necessary to start with these cylinders because when they are dried out, the piston will not allow them to fall inside. nine0003
It is important not to damage important parts and camshafts during this process. But with 4 cylinders you have to tinker. Its location does not allow the cracker to be well fixed, so you need to carefully wrap the end of the device with a rag or rag and rest it against the wiper motor. So you can crack the valve of 4 cylinders. After cracking, you need to remove the plates and springs of the cylinder valves.
Then you need to take the pliers and remove the valve stem seals. This method is suitable for those who do not have a special puller. But there are seals that can be removed with your fingers. nine0003
Also, when working with pliers or pliers, you need to remember that the force must be applied correctly in a certain direction, without allowing the cap itself to turn. It is also necessary to follow the technique of performing work, this will exclude damage to the sleeve inside the valve. It is necessary to remove the springs, there is a risk of damage to the part inside.
Afterwards check the valves for end play. It is necessary to take the valve leg and shake it a little to the sides. If there is no backlash, then everything is fine, if there is, then the valve guides need to be replaced. nine0003
Only professional tools should be used to repair the machine. They can all be purchased from the ELM327RUS online store
The following should be considered:
Puller. This is an integral part in the repair of valve stem seals. It is necessary to correctly remove the parts. Therefore, their choice must be treated very carefully. In our online store you can purchase the following items:
Oil deflector cap remover 217mm JTC-1243
Article: JTC-1243
3 400 ₽
Available Article: JTC-1716
1 500 ₽
Available
Valves Oapper 275 mm JTC-1949
Article: JTC-1949
1 400 ₽
Available of valves. If you can still do without a puller, then you can’t do without this tool. It is necessary for compressing the valve spring and then extracting the crackers. We suggest that you consider a clamp-type cracker: nine0003
Valve cracker, working stroke 45-145mm JTC-1711
Code:JTC-1711
In stock
Valve cracker universal, working. Course 55-175mm JTC-1731
Article: JTC-1731
5 750 ₽
Available by 9,0003
Valves reasonable with interchangeable captures JTC-4621
Article: JTC-4621
9000 7 300 ₽in the presence of
Universal valve cracker (clamp) JTC-1304
Code:JTC-1304
The peculiarity of such models is that they can only be operated on the removed cylinder head.
There is also a variety of crackers with hooks on the lower coils of the spring:0003
Valve cracker (CITROEN, PEUGEOT) JTC-4851
Article: JTC-4851
All our tools have been checked and passed quality control:
Set for repairing the thread of oil drain holes 14mm JTC-2045
Article:JTC-2045
0003
Article: JTC-4771
6 450 ₽
in stock
A set of instruments for restoring and cleaning seats JTC-4262
Article: JTC-4262
850 ₽
Available Tools for tools for tools for tools for dismantling/mounting valve springs JTC-4294
Article: JTC-4294
If you did not remove the engine head and after a proper repair, oil consumption does not decrease, a mistake was made when working with oil seals. But often the problem is in the piston rings. In this case, the engine will have to be removed and completely disassembled in order to change them. nine0003
Special purpose tools and tools manufactured by JONNESWAY® ENTERPRISE CO., LTD. mechanical engineering products, strictly by personnel with appropriate qualifications, familiar with safety regulations, operating conditions and skills in working with special tools and fixtures. nine0289
JONNESWAY® branded special purpose tools and accessories are covered by a “limited warranty” due to reduced life due to increased wear on some parts during use. The service life of the product with the declared characteristics is defined as 12 months from the start of using the tool. Start of operation is determined by the date of sale indicated in the JONNESWAY® warranty card or fiscal document confirming the purchase of a particular product. The period of use of a tool with declared characteristics can be changed individually, both downward and upward, depending on the intensity and operating conditions of a particular product (group of products). nine0003
Claims for a tool that fails during the warranty period will be considered by an authorized representative of JONNESWAY® ENTERPRISE CO., LTD., in accordance with the Consumer Protection Law.
Not subject to warranty service are products that failed as a result of:
In this regard, the manufacturer strongly recommends:
1) Select and use the tool in accordance with the work performed and strictly for its intended purpose.
2) Do not hit the body of the tool or the elements of the product with other objects, if this is not provided for by the design.
3) Do not drop the tool from a great height onto a hard surface. nine0003
4) Do not store the tool for a long time in conditions of high humidity or other environments aggressive to the materials of the product.
