TPMS valve core?

[crabjoe]

Can any of you in the know tell me if any Nickel plated valve core will work with TPMS valves or will I need a valve core that specifies TPMS? I'm a bit confused because I know you need Nickel plated cores, but I keep hearing "Special" Nickel plated core for TPMS.

Thanks!

 

[BigAl62]

As far as I know any nickle plated valve core will work. The idea is to try to prevent the core from seizing in the valve stem (Yeh right! They ALWAYS seize!).

 

[blacK20]

I've always used any valve core I had available. Didn't even know there were tpms specific valve cores to be honest. There might be differences but I've never run into any issues.

 

[crabjoe]

I've always used any valve core I had available. Didn't even know there were tpms specific valve cores to be honest. There might be differences but I've never run into any issues.

You can't use regular brass valve cores in a TPMS valve stem because of galvanic corrosion. Yes, they fit in fine, but if you're the next guy, you might be in a bit of trouble.

At this point in time, all I know is that you must use a Nickel plated valve core to prevent galvanic corrosion. My issue is that I see some valve cores listed as "Special Nickel Plated TPMS valve core" and I'm wondering if the valve core needs this title because some of these TPMS sensors will use the core as an antenna or if this "Special" designation is just for marketing.

 

[BigAl62]

Here, this should make this clear as mud: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=152

 

[crabjoe]

Here, this should make this clear as mud: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=152

I already ready there about the valve cores and it doesn't answer my question.

It says you have to use Nickel plated cores, then it also says "Special" Nickel plated cores. I think you were right when you 1st said "Any nickel plated cores", and I think these companies add "Special" for marketing and in the past, most all cores were brass.

Thanks again!

 

[dragonballz]

Make sure you use plastic caps with the rubber seal in them. No ugly chrome caps.

 

[BigAl62]

I already ready there about the valve cores and it doesn't answer my question.

It says you have to use Nickel plated cores, then it also says "Special" Nickel plated cores. I think you were right when you 1st said "Any nickel plated cores", and I think these companies add "Special" for marketing and in the past, most all cores were brass.

Thanks again!

That's why I said "clear as mud". I can't find a better answer, but I'll stick to my first post and say as long as it's nickle plated it should be fine.

 

[Humble Mechanic]

I had 2 seize and break on me last week. Most of VW's TPM are 1 piece. Lucky for the customer I have a few stashed away in my box just for this! GRR!

 

[Nick-NY]

I never unscrew the valve core from TMPS if possible. If i can i loosen the stem (usually a 11mm) a few turns then push in the stem a bit to let the air out. then just retighten.

 

[yogitech]

Make sure you use plastic caps with the rubber seal in them. No ugly chrome caps.

What's the reasoning for this? I see people with "decorative" caps all the time...

 

[Terry454]

Make sure you use plastic caps with the rubber seal in them. No ugly chrome caps.

What's the reasoning for this? I see people with "decorative" caps all the time...

My 2008 Corvette came from the factory with metal valve stem caps that appear to be aluminum. There is a cautionary note in the Owner's Manual to replace with metal valve stem caps because they are part of the wheel transmitting system to the vehicle's computer.

That said I almost immediately replaced the wheels and tires when I got the car and the replacement valve stems have plastic caps. No TPMS issues in the last four years. My experience is the material of the valve stem cap matters not one iota on this GM system. YMMV.
Terry

 

[dragonballz]

What's the reasoning for this? I see people with "decorative" caps all the time...

They will corrode onto the valve stem.

Customer comes in for low pressure light. We tell the customer it might break if we try to remove the cap. Tell them it will cost $80 per valvestem/sensor. Plus 1.4 hrs for installation and relearn.

 

[crabjoe]

What's the reasoning for this? I see people with "decorative" caps all the time...
They will corrode onto the valve stem.

Customer comes in for low pressure light. We tell the customer it might break if we try to remove the cap. Tell them it will cost $80 per valvestem/sensor. Plus 1.4 hrs for installation and relearn.

Aren't most of the "metal" valve caps, on TPMS valves, chrome plated plastic caps?

 

[matt H]

I never unscrew the valve core from TMPS if possible. If i can i loosen the stem (usually a 11mm) a few turns then push in the stem a bit to let the air out. then just retighten.

this just seems like a bad idea to me. if you dont loosen and tighten the core at all, then the core will just seize up. nickel plated or not, they can all seize over time. i deal with these all day and its amazing to see how quickly these cores can seize.

we even have specialized plastic caps just for metal TPMS valve stems. theyre a little thicker and create an even better seal compared to your typical thin plastic cap.

Aren't most of the "metal" valve caps, on TPMS valves, chrome plated plastic caps?

some are and some aren't. select Acura's use these small metal caps that can seize to the stem in a matter of a year or 2, surprises me that they come from the factory like that. Ive seen some BMW's with these as well, but it looks like they use plastic now.


I think every manufacturer should adopt the 2 piece brass/rubber valve stem that come on newer Chevy's and Subaru's. very easy to replace and I have yet to see one corrode. Its not as nice to look at, but it would save the customer alot of trouble and money.

 

[ImportTuner]

I haven't seen a brass valve core in years .. all the one's I've seen are silver color (guessing that they are all nickel plated). The only difference I know is that the one with the red band is high temp and the black is regular (whatever regular is).

 

[dragonballz]

From my experience, the brass cores come with regular rubber valve stems. The nickel comes with TPMS sensors.

 

[BigAl62]

I guess I'm lucky. The TPMS sensors on my CVPI are the band type, not the valve stem mounted type. I hate the valve stem type. At work it's a given that if you are doing Chrysler or Jeep tires you are going to have to replace at least 1 or 2 TPMS sensors (it ***** because they don't stock them and you end up tying up your bay for several hours more than you should have to).

 

[Zephyr]

I've had a cap seize on the valve stem when I first started at one of the shops I work at. The customer came in to have a battery replaced and tires checked. Needless to say I tried to use a stubby ratchet and socket to get it off - worst idea ever, broke the top threaded part off right in front of the customer. Some of the caps I have seen have a plastic cap inside of them there and many cars I have run into use plastic caps for TMPS systems.

As for the valve cores we have a mixture of brass and nickle plated lying around but I recall most if not all of the cores I have pulled from the metal valve stems such as those found on VW wheels and TPMS use the nickle plated ones where the regular rubber stems have the brass in them. So I guess if you're in a pinch a brass one will work but if you have it available go nickle plated.

 

[Stevedore]

Aside from the Eritrean spammer, I'm glad I dropped into this thread; I had never heard of the valve core issues with TPMS. I replaced the tires on my Corvette last year, and had rebuilt 2 of the sensors myself with new batteries. Thinking I was doing a good thing, I put in a couple brand new brass cores I had laying around. I'm thinking I'd better go find some nickel plated cores & replace them all. 2 of the sensors were new at the time, so I assume they have the proper cores, but I don't remember which wheels have the new ones!

 

[Northstar]

Some mfr's like Nissan used aluminum nuts to hold the TPMS's onto the rims those always corrode on and often require new sensors when removed.

GM's were redesigned a couple years back to have stems that were screwed to the TPMS's for simpler replacement (swap between rims in the rust belt where we use winter/summer rims). You can buy those stems alone for a few bucks apiece and they will have the proper cores.

 

[onewaydave]

... "Special" Nickel plated cores.

Maybe it is a question of grammer. You know like the thread about dropping algebra because it is so unimportant in real life? Or, not teaching cursive handwriting because keyboarding is the only thing that will be used in the real world?

Special nickel plated cores.
Special, nickel plated cores.

Or to the extreme;

Special-nickel-plated cores.
Nickel, specially plated cores.

Who knows what the writer(s)/reviewer(s) of the technical specifications really understood, meant or cared to convey.

Dave.

 

[BigAl62]

The grammar police have arrived! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ (you misspelled "grammar"!)