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Some joker stole my valve caps

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Some joker stole my valve caps

Postby TomE » Tue 17.10.2006, 00:59

:cry: :cry: :cry: I'm so annoyed by the trivial theft of all four valve caps from my Elan that I just had to let off steam! Left the car in a covered municipal carpark while I went to watch my 4 year old girl's first appearance in a ballet show (aah!) and came back a couple of hours later to find them gone. Really, what's the point of taking these off someone else's car?! They're just valve caps (that happen to go nicely with the OEM wheels). Or is there some sort of black market in these things?

If you get offered a set down the pub (a) check for the secret postcode marking I did (not!) or (b) point them in my direction, as I now need a set.

Rant over - does anyone know if these are readily available as the original Lotus metal part or do I have to get some plastic tat from Halfords?
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Postby Doug » Tue 17.10.2006, 01:19

should be able to get cool standard metal ones or lame plastic ones from your local auto store. ebay has Lotus logo caps if you are so inclined too . . .
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Postby Dave M » Tue 17.10.2006, 02:23

Yep, most auto parts stores have the nice, shiny ones. Had the same happen to my Subaru years ago. I know capital punishment would seem a bit much for stolen valve caps, but come on people...get a life!
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Postby Sy V » Tue 17.10.2006, 06:17

Annoying, but they're all over eBay.

http://search.ebay.co.uk/lotus-dust-caps_W0QQfromZR40
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Postby PaulN » Tue 17.10.2006, 11:45

Pain In the @rse mate!

Had the same problem too...... but its cheaper and less hassle than if they smashed a window or cut your hood.... Its like Hotels let the cheap things get nicked and try not to worry about it.

Cheers

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Postby John_W » Tue 17.10.2006, 19:58

The first set of Lotus-logo dust caps I had nicked was annoying (stopped for petrol in Dundee - silly of me), but since then I've had another set nicked and that wasn't as annoying because I've now bought a couple of spare sets off ebay.

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Postby Ekapol » Tue 17.10.2006, 20:11

My wish list:

Clever Valve Stem ;-)
"Do or do not.... there is no try."

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Postby TomE » Wed 18.10.2006, 00:57

Thanks for the sympathy and the suggestions - this place really is the source of all Elan knowledge!

Like the look of the "anti theft" versions, although not convinced how secure they really can be. Just looks like they've got a hexagonal profile so that you can tighten them really hard with a spanner ... and sheer the valves off!

Fascinating to see that there are at least three different approaches to a secure design, so clearly it's a problem several people feel is worth tackling.
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Postby Doug » Wed 18.10.2006, 04:24

i remember when I was 5 and my wishlist was only one item long = legos . . . .
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Postby Paul.P » Wed 18.10.2006, 06:57

Doug wrote:i remember when I was 5


Goog memory Doug ! :lol:
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Postby Sy V » Wed 18.10.2006, 09:12

Hey Paul

I noticed some black Lotus valve covers on eBay this morning...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lotus-El ... 9551QQrdZ1

Licence plate screws!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lotus-El ... 9500QQrdZ1
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Postby Dico » Wed 18.10.2006, 12:54

I had two of mine nicked! Motorcyclist? :D

I now have flush fitting ones, bought of ebay.
4+ hours stuck in a damp bucket seat with a mad Irishman at the wheel - Deep joy!!!!
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Postby Enright » Wed 18.10.2006, 21:48

I've got a set of the anti-theft ones. They come with a tiny allen screwdriver that nips the thread of the valve.

Of course, if someone really wants them then the extra force required isn't going to deter them, but most are opportunists and so they'll certainly see them off!

Just don't leave any of them on the compressor at Sainsbury's when you go to top up your pressures. :oops:
Striking fear into the hearts of duplicate posts everywhere...! :P

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Postby Ekapol » Thu 19.10.2006, 20:01

Nice stuff Sy.

My wish list (revised):

- Clever Valve Stem (Sy's version)
- Legos :-D
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Dust covers

Postby JETRO » Fri 27.07.2007, 03:14

LoL you have to watch out for those hoodys on there BMX's they like a valve cap or two!

Preffered the dice ones though when i was a ET follower

:-D :oops:
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Postby petestubbs » Fri 27.07.2007, 12:19

I bought a set off eBay with the Lotus logo on them.

It took a whole month before the first of the Logo's fell off leaving me with a cheap looking plastic/chrome type hexagonal cap :cry:
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Postby Dico » Fri 27.07.2007, 14:33

A whole month?

Mine fell off in the envelope :?
4+ hours stuck in a damp bucket seat with a mad Irishman at the wheel - Deep joy!!!!
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