Oil filter storage question...shelf life...

[Noey]

Hey guys,

How long can a new, in the box (PureOne) oil filter be safely kept before use, before the element starts to deteriorate? Is there a recommended 'Shelf life'? I'd like to stock up and use as needed, but don't want to risk them somehow drying out/losing efficiency.

 

[Quattro Pete]

It should be good for a very long time. How long are you planning to store it?

 

[daves87rs]

Just used a two year old one...

 

[ZeeOSix]

Put the filter in a zip lock bag, squeeze out as much air as possible and store them inside the house (in the original box) where the temp & humidity is fairly constant. Should last 5+ years that way IMO.

 

[UNC151]

I picked up two 20MM ammo cans and have all of mine inside them with a 1lb can of desiccant in each. They are stored in a climate controlled environment. I hope that I can store them 5+ years in this manner.

 

[Jim Allen]

I just interviewed two engineers about this directly. There is no specific shelf life but filters don't like humidity... especially if they have cellulose media (which absorbs moisture). One guy told me that if you see rust on the tapping plate, it's likely the filter has been exposed to too much moisture to be safe. The ideas above are great... ziplocks or airtight cans with desiccant... great! I am using a Foodsaver to vacuum pack mine. Upper limit... couldn't get them to commit to an exact number. One said, "in proper storage a very long time." The other said, "at least five years." IMO, the vacuum packed idea makes storage life almost unlimited.

 

[oiltard]

Denso oil filters come with a plastic film over the end, so hopefully they'll last a good long time without being ziplocked. Because I have 7 left in the stash and trying to push OCI's to 1/year.

 

[Texan4Life]

keep them in a climate controlled environment (I keep mine on a shelf in my bedroom closet) and they will last a long time. I have used filters over 10 years old with no problems.

 

[Dave Hess]

20 years if kept inside your house.

I got about 30 oil filters for our fleet and they won't spoil if not used.

 

[k1rod]

I have the same concern but from a different angle. I live in Phoenix where during the Summer, the temperature in my garage often goes up to 120 deg with about 8% humidity. Sometimes this goes on for weeks at a time. My concern is the rubber in the filters deteriorating (dry rot) and flaking into my oil stream. My hope is that filter companies understand the potential for this and are building the filters out of rubber material that won't do this. Any insight?

 

[Cristobal]

I keep my filters in the refrigerator, with a small glass of water so the humidity is just right in the compartment. It is semi-sealed and they should last 10 years at the minimum.

 

[GMorg]

I think that properly stored oil will have a longer shelf-life than properly stored filters. My concern is related to adhesives/glues more than any other component. My second concern is the cellulose filter. Not the moisture exposure since that can be prevent, instead I think that oxidation would become a concern. Paper gets brittle with time.

 

[HTSS_TR]

I have some filters for my S2000 and E430 that are more than 6 years old, it will be about 7-8 more years before I use them all, the last one may be 14-15 years old when it is in service. The filters for LS400 and Tracer are bought last year, it will be used in about 4-5 years.

 

[tig1]

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Car_Care/AskMobil/Oil_Filter_Age.aspx

 

[Oregoonian]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
I have some filters for my S2000 and E430 that are more than 6 years old, it will be about 7-8 more years before I use them all, the last one may be 14-15 years old when it is in service. The filters for LS400 and Tracer are bought last year, it will be used in about 4-5 years.


If you want the definition of a HOARDER....just look above.

HTSS TR....Did you really save that much ($) on those filters that your not going to use for 7 or 8 years?...or is it 14 years. With all the newer and improved filters coming out these days, it seems dumb to purchase that many filters in advance.

 

[Texan4Life]

Originally Posted By: Cristobal
I keep my filters in the refrigerator, with a small glass of water so the humidity is just right in the compartment. It is semi-sealed and they should last 10 years at the minimum.



I'm not sure if I should LOL or be concerned....

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: Texan4Life
Originally Posted By: Cristobal
I keep my filters in the refrigerator, with a small glass of water so the humidity is just right in the compartment. It is semi-sealed and they should last 10 years at the minimum.


I'm not sure if I should LOL or be concerned....


Could be worse ... could be storing them in an inert nitrogen atmosphere with constant temperature control to 70 +/- 1 deg F.

 

[ludey]

Originally Posted By: Oregoonian
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
I have some filters for my S2000 and E430 that are more than 6 years old, it will be about 7-8 more years before I use them all, the last one may be 14-15 years old when it is in service. The filters for LS400 and Tracer are bought last year, it will be used in about 4-5 years.


If you want the definition of a HOARDER....just look above.

HTSS TR....Did you really save that much ($) on those filters that your not going to use for 7 or 8 years?...or is it 14 years. With all the newer and improved filters coming out these days, it seems dumb to purchase that many filters in advance.


Hmmm. If you don't see how you save money then I guess you shouldn't be here. What's with the name calling and picking on other members on this board? Jealous?

If you buy filters in bulk. You save on shipping and convenience. If you look at the pictures of people buying oil in bulk. It takes much, much more space than several dozen filters. If you spill oil and or hazzardous chemicals. Have fun cleaning up. If I drop a filter. I simply pick it up and put back on the shelf. You don't have to deal with filters being out of stock or sold out either not to mention driving back and forth to the parts store to pick up your filters.

I guess some people really don't get it. Do they?

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: Oregoonian
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
I have some filters for my S2000 and E430 that are more than 6 years old, it will be about 7-8 more years before I use them all, the last one may be 14-15 years old when it is in service. The filters for LS400 and Tracer are bought last year, it will be used in about 4-5 years.


If you want the definition of a HOARDER....just look above.

HTSS TR....Did you really save that much ($) on those filters that your not going to use for 7 or 8 years?...or is it 14 years. With all the newer and improved filters coming out these days, it seems dumb to purchase that many filters in advance.

One of the best oil filter for Honda S2000 is OEM 15400-PCX-004, I bought a dozen back in 2005-2006 for about $3/ea, the current price at dealer is about $14-15/ea, so I save about 80%.

Some of the best cartridge oil filters for E430 are Mann, Hengst, Bosch fleece filter. I bought these fleece filters when I bought something else and added those filters to get to free shipping, so the cost was about $4-5/ea which is about 70-75% less than dealer price. I also have Mobil 1 and other filters when I bought 5 quarts Mobil 1 0W40 for $30 with Mobil 1 filter, so the filter is about $3-4/ea.

The P1 filters was only $3/ea from AAP, I bought these filters to get to $75, when I bought something else, for free shipping (we don't have AAP in So Cal).

I have my reasons in buying in bulk when it was dirt cheap. If you think filters are improving every few years and you don't mind paying high price for it, it's okay with me.
I rather pay $3 for P1 than $3.xx for Fram.

 

[Whimsey]

I'm about to use the last of the Motorcraft FL820S's I bought in 2005 when WalMart was suppose to discontinue all Motorcraft oil filters, which they did for a while. These filters have been rust free so I have no problem using them after 7 years. I looked at Fram's in the store and some had rusted mounting plates.

Whimsey