valve caps

[ivarr]

so as a bmx kid from the early late 70's & early 80's anodized aluminum valve caps in whatever color ie: blue, red, green, gold, were a must have accessory. well, i bought a dozen or so green ones on ebay a few years ago to also have the visual notification that i run nitrogen in my tires.
anyway now they are stuck on. i am assuming it's mostly corrosion from road salt ( i live in massachusetts and my tj is my only car so there is tons here ). what else might be specific about corrosion between the coated aluminum and the brass valve stems ??
how do i break it down and get them off?
hot water
long pressure wash
vinegar
spray silicone
pb blaster
some marvel mystery oil

 

[PCO6]

I had this problem too with aluminum caps. I could NOT get them off! Luckily I was at home and not on the road where it would have been an even bigger problem.

I finally gave up and asked my regular tire shop if they had any suggestions. They did and it was to replace the valve stems. I did and will now only use plastic valve caps. I imagine you could use a bit of anti-seize but plastic caps are inexpensive and easy.

 

[suicideking]

I also prefer the aluminum. I get red so that they're easier to spot if I drop them on the trail.

Never had one get stuck. Are you tightening them too much? Maybe some kind of lube would help.

 

[PCO6]

... Are you tightening them too much? Maybe some kind of lube would help.

The tire shop I go to says seized aluminum valve caps is a common problem. I drive my Jeeps through the winter so @ivarr may be right (road salt, corrosion, etc.).

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

As much as I know about aluminum and corrosion causing leaks and stuff getting stuck I can't believe I never thought about this issue. Now I have to go check my wife's purple JK valve caps.

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Anyway, some penetrating oil may help. A cutting wheel on a Dremel tool would be easier.

If heat is needed you could probably get by with a refillable butane pencil torch but just at the very top.

Either way those caps will need replaced

 

[DrDmoney]

Sadly the fact that you used nitrogen to fill your tires kept you from regularly removing the caps to check your tire pressure and avoiding the build up of aluminum oxide around the threads…I would try a pencil torch or a soldering iron to heat the caps up.