A guy gave me some old German Castrol

[john_pifer]

This SL-spec oil had been sitting in a garage for a few years, and a guy I know was going to dump it (5 qts), so I took it.

I've read on here that it's a rather heavy 30-wt oil, so I won't run it in my truck, but I'm considering running it in my bike, which calls for a 40-wt.

When did SL-spec end? Could this oil potentially have gone bad or formed solids from years of getting hot and cold in a garage?

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: john_pifer
When did SL-spec end? Could this oil potentially have gone bad or formed solids from years of getting hot and cold in a garage?

API SL is still a current spec for some older engines. I'm sure this oil is still OK to use. If you were to go into the store and buy German Castrol today, it would be SL as well.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Real Synthetic Motor Oil is a stable substance by nature. Nothing will happend to it in 50 years in the garage save some "minor" settling of colloidal - if are utilised in the blend. The running engine is the harsh environment - not sitting in the bottle. Use with utmost confidence in full performance.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Use it in an application that it calls for. If the product doesn't fit your circumstances, then pass it on, much like the former owner did with you.

In other words, find a fitting home for it... one where it's used in a 0/5w30 application.

 

[threeputtpar]

If that's the green stuff from before 2006 or so, you could find some willing buyers on here that would pay top dollar. Maybe trade you for some new stuff for your current car.

Just sayin'.

They may ask you about date codes and mutter something about elves, but don't let that scare you.

 

[dparm]

It's a heavy-30, almost a 40. Well suited for German engines that like the thicker stuff.

 

[ChiTDI]

Turn the bottle over and there will be a an M followed by a string of numbers.
First two digits are the year the oil was made. 04 for example, 2004.
The next three digits are the day of that year it was manufactured. 145 for example, May 25th.

You got good advice about using it in the right application. Find a user or buyer. That is really good stuff.

 

[Lead Shoes]

You might have just got 5qts of the green formula, some ppl will pay an arm and leg for it...

 

[QuietPortage]

Put it in your Tacoma!

 

[HerrStig]

And example of why a huge stash might outlast the car you put it in. Then what.

 

[clarklawnscape]

use it

 

[MarkStock]

Shake it

 

[john_pifer]

Originally Posted By: ChiTDI
Turn the bottle over and there will be a an M followed by a string of numbers.
First two digits are the year the oil was made. 04 for example, 2004.
The next three digits are the day of that year it was manufactured. 145 for example, May 25th.

You got good advice about using it in the right application. Find a user or buyer. That is really good stuff.


Doesn't have any code starting with an 'M' on the back of the bottle, as you can see. Would it be on the bottom of the bottle?

 

[Quattro Pete]

Yes, it's typically almost near the bottom, just below where your picture got cut off, printed in a dot-matrix font.

Should look similar to this:

 

[jstutz]

Im very suprised your not running this in your tacoma. It would be a great fit.

 

[InvalidUserID]

I have about 3 more oil changes worth of green GC.

My stash was much bigger but has dwindled down.

 

[john_pifer]

Originally Posted By: InvalidUserID
I have about 3 more oil changes worth of green GC.

My stash was much bigger but has dwindled down.


What are you using it in, and what are your impressions?

 

[john_pifer]

Originally Posted By: ChiTDI
Turn the bottle over and there will be a an M followed by a string of numbers.
First two digits are the year the oil was made. 04 for example, 2004.
The next three digits are the day of that year it was manufactured. 145 for example, May 25th.

You got good advice about using it in the right application. Find a user or buyer. That is really good stuff.


Well, I just noticed that one out of the 5 qts seems to be older:

The one on the left has the following date code:

Only one of the other 4 bottles has a legible date code. I assume the other three are also from 2005:

The 2002 bottle also has a "sight gauge" on the side of the bottle, which the others don't. It does appear to have a green tint. Not sure if you can tell in the photo:

 

[john_pifer]

Also just noticed that the bottle from '02 doesn't say anything about BP on the back, either. Must have been before Castrol became part of BP?

 

[Clevy]

Wow. Real true green German castrol. I suggest putting er up for auction here for bitogers.
Are you going to use it?