Hi there,

I've just encountered a surprising (and very annoying) problem.

There is apparently a known problem with the valve caps fusing to the valves and being impossible to remove without shearing off half the valve housing.

I have just discovered this to my cost! According to the dealer here in London this is a widespread problem on UK 430s as well as Japanese imports like mine.

Anyone else come across this? It's not the sort of thing you expect, really, is it?

Martin

 

Tire valve caps ? Those little plastic things ?
Is this what you mean ? How can they possibly fuse ?

 

we have a free replacement campaign on them here... I got a letter a while ago on it and it was discussed here.... ...just search the forum on valve stems to find it!

 

Yes, I got the letter too. Its not a recall, but I think a limited service bulletin. My tires have 20 miles on them and are sitting in the garage so I wouldnt know. Just search the forum, as posted above. I think a member even got a free tank of gas out of the deal. An expensive commodity these days.

 

Larry ...

Didn't you get a letter (LSC# 2LB) stating that the cap "... can become corroded and possibly non-removable in cold-weather areas"? They changed the caps from chrome-plated brass to aluminum.

As soon as spring arrives, I'll drive the 150 miles to my dealer to get them replaced.

 

Nope, never got a letter. I did change two of the rim/tire sets tonight and used the original caps on the new tires. They came right off.

Don't bother making the trip........I'll pick up a set of new stems from Pep Boys for 3 bucks and ship them to you.

 

Thanks for the replies guys,

My car (Japanese import to the UK) came fitted with fancy metal valve caps - presumably the chrome-plated brass ones that 1NICE refers to.

One of the downsides of owning an import is that I don't get letters from dealers, because the car didn't come through a dealer!

So I find these things out the hard way.

Someone just managed to snap off the valve housing while trying to remove the valve cap. Bingo: £180 (c $280) for a new valve.

So if you've got the chrome-plated brass type on your SC430 - get 'em changed soon!

All the best,

Martin

 

Thanks, Larry ...

I'll be going to the dealer anyway for other stuff. Besides, I like driving my car!

 

Put some type of lubricant or vasoline on the stem.

 

That's a good suggestion: unless they've already seized up like mine, in which case it's a bit late!