Pennzoil conventional, 10-30, in Chrysler car sitting for 15 months, started up maybe 8 times. Less than 1 hour total run time on oil. Would it likely be OK to use in two mowers (5 years and 10 years old) I maintain? Opinions? Thanks...
Barely used oil in mowers?
- Thread starter gfh77665
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I'd be concerned with excess moisture and oxidation in this oil, even if it wasn't used much. Then again, we're talking about a 10 year old mower here - it'd probably be OK, although depending on the mower engines, some actually seem to run better on straight 30 oil.
I don't think it would be terribly bad at all. Running the mowers will drive of any moisture in the oil.
If possible drive the car for 20-30 miles on highway to burn off moisture and fuel dilution if any, then drain it while hot to use in the mowers.
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
If possible drive the car for 20-30 miles on highway to burn off moisture and fuel dilution if any, then drain it while hot to use in the mowers.
Yes. Actually it will have to be driven 45 miles highway when it comes out of storage to get it home. Pennzoil conventional supposedly holds up well, so, I am thinking it won't hurt the mowers much if any. I am not "cheap", but I hate to waste usable oil..
If possible drive the car for 20-30 miles on highway to burn off moisture and fuel dilution if any, then drain it while hot to use in the mowers.
Yes. Actually it will have to be driven 45 miles highway when it comes out of storage to get it home. Pennzoil conventional supposedly holds up well, so, I am thinking it won't hurt the mowers much if any. I am not "cheap", but I hate to waste usable oil..
Ran mobil 1 in a lawnmower for 10 years. Finally changed it. It did run a lot better, but it apparently did no damage. 5 years later the thing is still running, although I change it every season now.
If the oil is not in bad shape, then you can use it on your old mowers without any problems.
I run a HDEO in my mower's tecumseh.
Originally Posted By: gfh77665
Pennzoil conventional, 10-30, in Chrysler car sitting for 15 months, started up maybe 8 times. Less than 1 hour total run time on oil. Would it likely be OK to use in two mowers (5 years and 10 years old) I maintain? Opinions? Thanks...
No problem...
Dad had an old Briggs & Straton with 10 year old oil in it never changed with like a hundred hours on it and it was fine so your Chrysler used oil should be no problem.
Pennzoil conventional, 10-30, in Chrysler car sitting for 15 months, started up maybe 8 times. Less than 1 hour total run time on oil. Would it likely be OK to use in two mowers (5 years and 10 years old) I maintain? Opinions? Thanks...
No problem...
Dad had an old Briggs & Straton with 10 year old oil in it never changed with like a hundred hours on it and it was fine so your Chrysler used oil should be no problem.
Originally Posted By: tmorris1
My question is why bother changing the oil in the car if it has only been run a few times?
It will be 15 months old. The car will come out of storage when my daughter starts to drive, and since we live in a small town, it would take another year to even put 2000 miles on it. So if I left it in, it might be 2.5 years old before changing. I figured I would just drain it and save it for the mowers, and keep the almost new filter in place, and put in something like QS for about $11.
My question is why bother changing the oil in the car if it has only been run a few times?
It will be 15 months old. The car will come out of storage when my daughter starts to drive, and since we live in a small town, it would take another year to even put 2000 miles on it. So if I left it in, it might be 2.5 years old before changing. I figured I would just drain it and save it for the mowers, and keep the almost new filter in place, and put in something like QS for about $11.
If the oil doesn't look odd when draining from the car (mayo, snot, pools of water, fuel, sludge) I think you're good to go.
If you're one of those rural types with outbuildings and sheds with workbenches, you could heat the oil to near boiling and see if any moisture boils off. Probably not worth it for a lawnmower. Oh wait - south Texas? Just leave it in the sun for a bit.
You may also wish to pour through a coffee filter before transferring.
If you're one of those rural types with outbuildings and sheds with workbenches, you could heat the oil to near boiling and see if any moisture boils off. Probably not worth it for a lawnmower. Oh wait - south Texas? Just leave it in the sun for a bit.
You may also wish to pour through a coffee filter before transferring.
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Sounds like a lot of thought and work. If you want to change it, then change it, but I would just recycle it and spend $2 on a Qt of oil for your mower. Personally I would just run the oil for a few thousand and change it out then, I don' think there is anything wrong with 2 year old oil.
Personally, I've never had an issue with leaving oil in an unused engine for years. I'd be more concerned about firing the engine up a few times a year to keep all internal parts coated with oil. Run the engine to full operating temps and most condensation should cook off.
As far as using the barely used oil from the car in the lawn mower, I say go for it. Lawnmower engines aren't particularly fussy. At least none that I've owned.
As far as using the barely used oil from the car in the lawn mower, I say go for it. Lawnmower engines aren't particularly fussy. At least none that I've owned.
Why not it is only a lawn mower. If the oil is not whiteish it is good to go.
JTK
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Originally Posted By: boraticus
Personally, I've never had an issue with leaving oil in an unused engine for years.
+1 to that. I do it all the time. The oil comes out like it looked in the bottle if you decided to dump it.
Joel
Personally, I've never had an issue with leaving oil in an unused engine for years.
+1 to that. I do it all the time. The oil comes out like it looked in the bottle if you decided to dump it.
Joel
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