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Correct, has to do with incompatible metals causing corrosion
I put some on my 4runner with disastrous results! The fancy caps WELDED themselves to the valve stems. There was simply no way to get 2 of them off when I needed to service the tires. Wound up having to replace 2 internal tp pressure monitors because they broke while trying to get the valve caps off. I also had used never seize on but it didn't work......
I will never EVER use them again because it turned into a VERY expensive exercise.
What you'd be facing is galvanic corrosion. It is caused by the reaction of two dissimmilar metals in contact with each other. The table below shows the reaction potential of the materials which will form the anode and cathode in the case of assembly. Of note is the distance the metals are apart.
In the case of Chrome plated caps, they will actually reduce the potential for galvanic corrosion as they are closer together on the table (as long as the chrome plating on the threads holds up) once it fails then the base metal comes in to play. The elements at the top half of the table are more active (anodic) the elements at the bottom of the table are more passive (cathodic).
Electrode Potential at 77 F (25 C)
Anodic end (this is where the corrosion occurs)
Element Standard Electrode Potential (Volts)
Lithium -3.045
Potassium -2.920
Sodium -2.712
Magnesium -2.340
Beryllium -1.700
Aluminum -1.670
Manganese -1.050
Zinc -0.762
Chromium -0.744
Iron; Mild Steel -0.440
Cadmium -0.402
Yellow Brass -0.350
50-50 Tin-Lead Solder -0.325
Cobalt -0.277
Nickel -0.250
Tin -0.136
Lead -0.126
Hydrogen reference electrode 0.000
Titanium +0.055
Copper +0.340
Mercury +0.789
Silver +0.799
Carbon +0.810
Platinum +1.200
Gold +1.420
Graphite +2.250
Any particular reason you needed to attack my post? I was simply trying to provide complete information. I'll not bother to post in the future if it upsets you so much....geez.
You made someone think, and they didn't like it. A lot of people on the Internet take offense to someone bringing actual technical facts that require thought into a discussion.
Any particular reason you needed to attack my post? I was simply trying to provide complete information. I'll not bother to post in the future if it upsets you so much....geez.
talon90,
I have always enjoyed your comments based on your Vette expertise. Please ignore the previous post, the vast majority of us do appreciate your posts!
Originally Posted by talon90
Any particular reason you needed to attack my post? I was simply trying to provide complete information. I'll not bother to post in the future if it upsets you so much....geez.
talon90,
I have always enjoyed your comments based on your Vette expertise. Please ignore the previous post, the vast majority of us do appreciate your posts!
Keep posting ... I usually learn something.
BTW, as an engineer I agree with the technical content, but I ran chrome caps on my C5 for 9 years (97-07) and on my C6 for a year with no worries ... and this on the beach in Florida!
BEZ06 is the resident expert when it comes to tire pressure sensors. His instructional videos on TPMS tools are an invaluable resource for all forum members...he knows what he's talking about!
Isn't that the truth, his posts were very helpful when I was researching and purchasing my TPM reset tool (the Bartec Trackside).
talon90,
I have always enjoyed your comments based on your Vette expertise. Please ignore the previous post, the vast majority of us do appreciate your posts!
There is a reference in the owners manual - or at least in my 05 manual. Basically, the stock cap works/acts as an antenna for the sensors.
I used to get a lot of false readings(driving along, warning light comes on, tire pressure down to 15%!) I pull over check the pressure with a gauge and find out it was a false alarm... Since I've read about this and put the factory caps back on... no more false alarms! These are the caps I was using... Chrome plated brass...
From Endwrench page 11.
"...Also, the valve stem of the wheel sensors serves as the
transmitting antenna, so don’t replace the original valve caps
with any other type that may interfere with the signal. ■
Always follow...."