New member, first post here. Hello.
In summary: I have 40+ gallons of 'new' motor oil that I want to test a few samples to see what it is, the quality, etc. before I use it for any application. Before anyone goes crazy, I doubt this will ever end up in any valuable engine... but perhaps it will be good for the mower, household tools, squeaky doors, gun lubricant, etc. Relatively new to oil uses... car, mower, guns, tools... perhaps folks could chime in on tips for this oil and future uses and testing?
I just scored a freebie off Craigslist. This was a rusty old 55 gallon metal drum, probably a decade old. The home owner said it came with the house and the previous owner worked in the Aerospace and/or military and claimed it was Aerospace oil of some sort. No other explanation.
So I show up and sure enough, the barrel is quite rusty. I had brought 10 five gallon cans that had previously stored Acetone in them (possibly a film of Acetone in them). I didn't have time to clean these out, but doubt a film of Acetone will make any difference in 5 gallons of oil. Perhaps I'm wrong.
We carefully poured approximately 40 gallons of oil from this barrel into the cans. The oil looked like new, caramel colored motor oil. The viscosity felt like your typical new 30 or 40 weight motor oil. Unfortunately some small rust particles were in the oil, so I will need to carefully filter this out before I use it (I'm thinking a mess metal coffee filter, or something similar... it will take some effort and time). But the amount of rust particles was relatively insignificant and should easily be filtered out.
So, assuming this oil is say a decade old, some questions:
1. If it's conventional, would signs of breakdown from sitting outside (mild climate in Washington state) be evident, or would it be irrelevant?
2. If it's aerospace oil, or even if not, was synthetic available and common 10 years ago?
3. If I send this in for analysis, where should I send it? Blackstone or elsewhere? Or just skip it and use the oil exclusively as I originally intended, small parts around the home, nothing too expensive (squeaky doors, general lubricant for small parts and tools, gun lube, etc.?)
4. Did I screw up putting it in Acetone cans? I really had no options and needed it immediately or would lose out. And no time to clean the cans. They were dry, or effectively dry (maybe a thin residue film of Acetone at most).
5. Any other insights appreciated.
But, I figure, at a few dollars per quart, 40 gallons of even basic oil assuming it holds its viscous properties, I scored hundreds of dollars in usable oil... Or, am I wrong in thinking that?
Would you send it in for testing? And let's say the tests come back saying this is a super good quality oil... would you venture to use it in a vehicle (once filtered out - again, a trivial amount of rust particles)?
I know, a lot of questions. Thanks in advance. I'll monitor, and chime in to clarify any questions.
In summary: I have 40+ gallons of 'new' motor oil that I want to test a few samples to see what it is, the quality, etc. before I use it for any application. Before anyone goes crazy, I doubt this will ever end up in any valuable engine... but perhaps it will be good for the mower, household tools, squeaky doors, gun lubricant, etc. Relatively new to oil uses... car, mower, guns, tools... perhaps folks could chime in on tips for this oil and future uses and testing?
I just scored a freebie off Craigslist. This was a rusty old 55 gallon metal drum, probably a decade old. The home owner said it came with the house and the previous owner worked in the Aerospace and/or military and claimed it was Aerospace oil of some sort. No other explanation.
So I show up and sure enough, the barrel is quite rusty. I had brought 10 five gallon cans that had previously stored Acetone in them (possibly a film of Acetone in them). I didn't have time to clean these out, but doubt a film of Acetone will make any difference in 5 gallons of oil. Perhaps I'm wrong.
We carefully poured approximately 40 gallons of oil from this barrel into the cans. The oil looked like new, caramel colored motor oil. The viscosity felt like your typical new 30 or 40 weight motor oil. Unfortunately some small rust particles were in the oil, so I will need to carefully filter this out before I use it (I'm thinking a mess metal coffee filter, or something similar... it will take some effort and time). But the amount of rust particles was relatively insignificant and should easily be filtered out.
So, assuming this oil is say a decade old, some questions:
1. If it's conventional, would signs of breakdown from sitting outside (mild climate in Washington state) be evident, or would it be irrelevant?
2. If it's aerospace oil, or even if not, was synthetic available and common 10 years ago?
3. If I send this in for analysis, where should I send it? Blackstone or elsewhere? Or just skip it and use the oil exclusively as I originally intended, small parts around the home, nothing too expensive (squeaky doors, general lubricant for small parts and tools, gun lube, etc.?)
4. Did I screw up putting it in Acetone cans? I really had no options and needed it immediately or would lose out. And no time to clean the cans. They were dry, or effectively dry (maybe a thin residue film of Acetone at most).
5. Any other insights appreciated.
But, I figure, at a few dollars per quart, 40 gallons of even basic oil assuming it holds its viscous properties, I scored hundreds of dollars in usable oil... Or, am I wrong in thinking that?
Would you send it in for testing? And let's say the tests come back saying this is a super good quality oil... would you venture to use it in a vehicle (once filtered out - again, a trivial amount of rust particles)?
I know, a lot of questions. Thanks in advance. I'll monitor, and chime in to clarify any questions.
