Need help identifying a 55 gallon drum of Mobil 1

[JGood325]

I picked up a 55 gallon drum of "Mobil 1 20w-50" oil from a garage that closed down. The drum is 2/3rds full and I got it for a fraction of the new cost. I thought it was just regular Mobil 1 20w50 synthetic oil. turns out, Mobil doesn't make such a thing. They make a 20w-50 V-Twin, but that is not what this is labeled as, just 20w-50. Their tech support was unable to help me any further.

So I have a pic of the label here:

http://www.apexeta.com/img/misc/mobil.jpg



Now, taking part of that label, the "9805", that almost matches the part number for a quart of V-twin oil (98051N):

http://mooreballiewoil.thomasnet.com/ite...1n?&seo=110

Scrolling through that site, most, if not all, Mobil part numbers start with 98, but the only one that is 9805 is the V-Twin. I know that's a long shot, but it's a start.

Would sending a sample to Blackstone and comparing it to a virgin oil sample (found in the sticky thread on this forum) be a good way to determine the type of oil? I'd assume if it is V-Twin, it will have very high ZDDP levels, and between that and the label saying 20w-50, it would be a safe assumption..

Thanks in advance for any help!

Justin

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: JGood325

Would sending a sample to Blackstone and comparing it to a virgin oil sample (found in the sticky thread on this forum) be a good way to determine the type of oil? I'd assume if it is V-Twin, it will have very high ZDDP levels, and between that and the label saying 20w-50, it would be a safe assumption..


It's worth a shot, although depending on how old it is, it may not have the exact same composition of additives... manufacturers often tweak their formulas from time to time.

Also, make sure you stir the contents of the drum before you take a sample... sometimes additives may fall out to the bottom of the container.

 

[Gary Allan]

According to the MSDS, the product codes run like this.

482935-00 20w-50 Racing 4T
481390-00 20w-50 V-Twin

http://www.msds.exxonmobil.com/psims/psims.aspx

This could be the product code and the second number the additive package. That's the way it reads

483040-00, 97AF65

 

[Unleashedbeast]

If it is cycle oil made for wet clutches, how would this affect a car engine?

 

[Gene K]

Its not friction modified so it would be similar to a a combo Street/Race Oil like Valvoline VR1.

I hope that 98 doesnt mean that oil has been sitting opened for over a decade. I think stirring it up and getting a VOA to check it for contamination might not be a bad idea.

 

[JGood325]

Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
According to the MSDS, the product codes run like this.

482935-00 20w-50 Racing 4T
481390-00 20w-50 V-Twin

http://www.msds.exxonmobil.com/psims/psims.aspx

This could be the product code and the second number the additive package. That's the way it reads

483040-00, 97AF65


I'm not sure if I follow you. Are you suggesting the product code and additive package could be:

411709-00, 98A

I'm guessing no, since that returns 0 documents in that MSDS search.

 

[Gary Allan]

Quote:
I'm guessing no, since that returns 0 documents in that MSDS search.


Search "Mobil 1" in the MSDS search engine and use "Trade Name" and USA in the proper fields. That will generate a list of MSDS sheets.

There will appear a 10 pages of listings. Click on one that's titled Mobil 1. The MSDS sheet will open in some doc format.

Starting from the top of the document:

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET

SECTION 1 PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION


PRODUCT
Product Name: MOBIL 1 5w30

Product Description: Synthetic Base Stocks and Additives

Product Code: 481119-00, 970056
Intended Use: Engine oil

PRODUCT
Product Name: MOBIL 1 0W-20
Product Description: Synthetic Base Stocks and Additives
Product Code: 201510101032 (?), 481481-00, 97M085
Intended Use: Engine oil

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET

SECTION 1 PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION


PRODUCT
Product Name: MOBIL 1 5W-20
Product Description: Synthetic Base Stocks and Additives
Product Code: 484279-00, 97Z108
Intended Use: Engine oil

PRODUCT
Product Name: MOBIL 1 EXTENDED PERFORMANCE 15W-50
Product Description: Synthetic Base Stocks and Additives
Product Code: 2015101010L7, 484261-00, 97Z657
Intended Use: Engine oil

PRODUCT
Product Name: MOBIL 1 RACING 0W-30
Product Description: Synthetic Base Stocks and Additives
Product Code: 482943-00, 97X217
Intended Use: Engine oil

PRODUCT
Product Name: MOBIL 1 V-TWIN 20W-50
Product Description: Synthetic Base Stocks and Additives
Product Code: 481390-00, 97F085
Intended Use: Engine oil

PRODUCT
Product Name: MOBIL 1 TURBO DIESEL TRUCK 5W-40
Product Description: Synthetic Base Stocks and Additives
Product Code: 201510101072, 483040-00, 97AF65
Intended Use: Engine oil

PRODUCT
Product Name: MOBIL 1 0W-40
Product Description: Synthetic Base Stocks and Additives
Product Code: 201510101010, 481499-00, 97P268
Intended Use: Engine oil


Now this product code isn't listed on all MSDS documents, but that may be a date thing. I can't find one of the older (looking) documents at the moment. The ones I copied and pasted were from 2007 forward.

I'm not asserting anything here. Just offering it up for common deciphering in what I discovered in searching the MSDS listing. It appeared to loosely conform to what the label shows ..and indeed, by XOM itself, is designated the "product code".

FWIW

 

[slanty]

this does not appear to be even a remotely recent drum label from XOM, but perhaps printed up by a distributor or repackager. I'm suspecting this explains the inconsistent p/n and product name.

That, or we're going back 10+ years, in which case I wouldn't use it in anything valuable.

 

[JGood325]

Will an oil analysis tell me the condition of the oil, if it's safe to use it or not? If I can determine the viscosity, additives, if there are any major contaminants, etc, and it meets the criteria of what my engine requires, is it OK to use, or is there more to it? I am not an oil expert by any means, so this is a bit over my head.

Thanks

 

[Gary Allan]

Originally Posted By: JGood325
Will an oil analysis tell me the condition of the oil, if it's safe to use it or not? If I can determine the viscosity, additives, if there are any major contaminants, etc, and it meets the criteria of what my engine requires, is it OK to use, or is there more to it? I am not an oil expert by any means, so this is a bit over my head.

Thanks


Don't risk it. Give me your addy and I'll safely dispose of this stuff. Who knows what's been festering in there over all this time. I know- I know, it is an apparently selfless act, but what more can a righteous Amsoil dealer do than to protect you from the potential side effects of M1 ..old M1 at that

You should be able to tell what API designation it was (SL, SJ, etc.) and that should give you a time frame.

I think with proper mixing it would be suitable for use.

All 55 gallon drums come like this. It's the same label that's placed on the bulk tank at the dealer. The drums are returnable and aren't sorted for product. Imagine having to store 100 Mobil 1 drums (or any other product)if there happened to be a lull in sales. About the only drums that aren't routinely returned would be Amsoil's. It's a long way back to Wisconsin.

 

[JGood325]

Originally Posted By: Gary Allan


Don't risk it. Give me your addy and I'll safely dispose of this stuff. Who knows what's been festering in there over all this time. I know- I know, it is an apparently selfless act, but what more can a righteous Amsoil dealer do than to protect you from the potential side effects of M1 ..old M1 at that

You should be able to tell what API designation it was (SL, SJ, etc.) and that should give you a time frame.

I think with proper mixing it would be suitable for use.



Well, I'm currently about 2 miles from you (just on the other side of 100 in Pottstown, where I work), so at least I know who to go locally for Amsoil!

Thanks for the advice, I'll send the test out as soon as I receive it from Blackstone and see what the results are. I'll post them here.

 

[JGood325]

Just heard back from the buy I bought it from. He said he purchased it approximately 10 years ago at a flea market...

 

[ahoier]

Wow......that's crazy

And to think, Mobil wasn't able to determine the origin of their own oil

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: JGood325

Would sending a sample to Blackstone and comparing it to a virgin oil sample (found in the sticky thread on this forum) be a good way to determine the type of oil? I'd assume if it is V-Twin, it will have very high ZDDP levels, and between that and the label saying 20w-50, it would be a safe assumption..


It's worth a shot, although depending on how old it is, it may not have the exact same composition of additives... manufacturers often tweak their formulas from time to time.

Also, make sure you stir the contents of the drum before you take a sample... sometimes additives may fall out to the bottom of the container.


"Virgin" (if we can call it that or not...lol) Oil Analysis probably wouldn't be a bad idea...as far as shaking/stirring it, lol gonna be quite hard with a 55 gallon drum

 

[Gary Allan]

That kinda fits with the 98- part of the number. Could be coincidence.

You are close. You're also relatively close to the Lancaster distribution center.

 

[Johnny]

An opened drum of oil that was purchased second hand from a guy that originally bought it at a flea market 10-years ago. Sorry, no thank you. No telling what is in there.

 

[jazeo]

Do you have wooden fence around your property? Great wood preservative, although I prefer used oil for that English walnut stain look...lol

 

[Quattro Pete]

Or what about an oil burning stove?

 

[dwendt44]

If it's that old, it's likely the old 'red cap' Mobil 1.
That was popular with Gold Wing riders.
Don't know if age and condensation would affect its useability any.
VOA would certainly be in order before using it.
Cycle oil, either type, would work fine in a auto/truck.
It's usually too expensive to do so.

My 2¢

 

[JGood325]

Here is the virgin oil sample report, what do you guys think?

 

[Gary Allan]

I think it's the cleanest VOA I've ever seen. Goose eggs other than additives. Most I've seen have some minor background noise to them.

I might have done TBN just to see how high it was, but I imagine 10 would be some safe assumption.