can old "new" oil sludge inside original bottle?

[friendly_jacek]

I recently topped oil in my corolla. I used last 200 cc of mostly empty bottle of Valvoline Durablend 5W30. The bottle was opened 3 months ago when I changed oil last time. The oil looked and smelled fine (I couldn't resist sniffing the plasticky smell of Valvoline). But when I looked inside of the empty bottle, there was a thin layer of dark gray/black deposit at the bottom.

Anyone have seen that? Is one supposed to shake bottles before pouring oil or is the oil too old and went bad?

BTW, the bottle says Copyright 2004. It's possibly over 6 years old. This is the last of the stash of free after rebate Valvoline oil I purchased a few years ago (2005?).

 

[UNC197]

That may be additive fall-out. I've seen it before in bottles too. Shaking it won't make a difference, so don't worry about it there is nothing wrong with it.

 

[electrolover]

next time do a taste test

 

[aquariuscsm]

The only oils I`ve never seen this happen with are synths. Dinos always turn the bottom of the bottle dark for some reason.

 

[dakota99]

My platinum bottles almost always have black stuff in the bottom, i guess its additive fallout. I give them a good shake now.

 

[fdcg27]

The oil knew that it was going into a 4 cyl Toyota, so it pre-sludged itself.

 

[Eddie]

Another good reason to always shake the bottle before using.

 

[4ever4d]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
The oil knew that it was going into a 4 cyl Toyota, so it pre-sludged itself.

 

[spasm3]

Could be moisture that has condensed in the bottle after it was opened to the ambient humidity.

 

[daves66nova]

Originally Posted By: spasm3
Could be moisture that has condensed in the bottle after it was opened to the ambient humidity.
Doesn't water float on oil?

 

[tomcat27]

its pretty normal in all the oil I use....

 

[SuperFast]

Originally Posted By: electrolover
next time do a taste test


shake well

even if not tasting why wouldnt shaking it help?

NAPA oil smells like bananas

 

[dwendt44]

Oil floats on top of water. Reference the oil spill in the Gulf.

 

[friendly_jacek]

Thanks!
I will try to remember to shake it next time I pour oil from a bottle. But, if it precipitated already, wouldn't the additive be picked up by an oil filter?