# Lost my shraeder valve cover **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [March 5, 2008, 1:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lost-my-shraeder-valve-cover/11450 "2008-03-05T01:29:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jeffmw05](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@Jeffmw05](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jeffmw05)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2008, 1:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lost-my-shraeder-valve-cover/11450/1 "2008-03-05T01:29:06Z")
I charged up my A/C the other night in my old Honda and temporarily placed the little valve cover for the a/c low pressure side on top of the engine block and when I went to start the engine and turn on the compressor I forgot about it and it then fell down, who knows where. Wedged somewhere between the carb and the rest of the engine; it’s gone. Will I lose refrigerant if I don’t replace this or should I even worry about it ? It’s an 87 Accord with 180 grand. Yep A/c still works, just leaks and needs a recharge every so often. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![tractorman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e8c25b/32.png) [@tractorman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tractorman)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2008, 1:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lost-my-shraeder-valve-cover/11450/2 "2008-03-05T01:38:19Z")
If you’re not going to fix the leak, you may not worry about the service valve cap. I would, at least, replace the missing cap. A quick check with a leak detector may reveal a 39 cent o-ring leaking out your 10 dollar a can freon. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2008, 1:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lost-my-shraeder-valve-cover/11450/3 "2008-03-05T01:43:48Z")
You should be able to buy new caps at any auto parts house. As to leakage, that’s a yes and no question. If the Schrader valve is not leaking then the caps won’t be a problem. The only downside is that dirt could accumulate in the valve and enter the system the next time it’s charged. If the Schrader valve is leaking a little (which many often do over time) then the cap can help seal it. Note that inside the caps there is a small rubber 0-ring (or there should be anyway) and this O-ring helps to prevent leakage past the cap. Often the O-ring will fall out and this will go unnoticed so always look inside the cap before reinstalling it. ---
**Author:** ![charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6f9a4e/32.png) [@charles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/charles)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2008, 1:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lost-my-shraeder-valve-cover/11450/4 "2008-03-06T01:52:10Z")
you could just put tape over hole I seen cars with ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2008, 2:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lost-my-shraeder-valve-cover/11450/5 "2008-03-06T02:46:55Z")
Or, for that matter, any old valve stem cap would work. Maybe the dice kind! ---
**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2008, 3:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lost-my-shraeder-valve-cover/11450/6 "2008-03-06T03:43:00Z")
Only if it hasn’t been converted to R 134a.