Old oil shelf life?

[Vindaloo]

I've some old oil lying around I'm thinking of using for an oil change this weeked. Probably about 4 or 5 years old.

Oil doesn't 'go off' right?

Adrian

[Spanner Man]

Originally Posted by Vindaloo

I've some old oil lying around I'm thinking of using for an oil change this weeked. Probably about 4 or 5 years old.

Oil doesn't 'go off' right?

Adrian

I wouldn't use it, especially if the seal has been broken. Chemicals in the oil can degrade over time.
Splash out (pun interntional) on a new pot.


Cheers

[tigersaw]

ProductShelf LifeBase Oils, Process Oils3 yearsHydraulic Oils, Compressor Oils, General Purpose Lubricating Oils2 yearsEngine Oils and Transmission Oils3 yearsIndustrial and Automotive Gear Oils2 yearsMetal Working and Cutting Oils1 year


Taken from http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html


I have a gallon can of Castrol R30 - its over 30 years old and still ok

[fastdruid]

Originally Posted by Vindaloo

I've some old oil lying around I'm thinking of using for an oil change this weeked. Probably about 4 or 5 years old.

Oil doesn't 'go off' right?

Yes, yes it does. If unopened I wouldn't worry overly much about it, if opened then I wouldn't use it in my P&J.

Druid

[Vindaloo]

Cheers guys. Actually had two bottles - one half empty which I'm binning (so to speak) and another sealed.

Got some new stuff to use.

Adrian

This is interesting. I'm tempted to discuss with one of the analysis guys about doing some engine oil analysis - I have some old, but unused oil, laying about, adn I wonder how differant it is to new oil

Maybe in the future, I'll start doing my oil cnanges in an argon atmosphere...just need a big enough glove box to do it in...

[Vindaloo]

If you want some old oil to test with, I've just over 2 litres of very dark looking stuff from just before Chirstmas you can play with.

Pretty sure that when it's only been in the engine for three months and done just over 300 miles it shouldn't be that dark. Which surely must mean that it's special oil ... or that the insides of my engine are filthy.

Adrian