Shelf life of oil
- Thread starter rdm
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It might be of more value to collectors than you as a motor oil.
Not many "modern" cars call for 10w-40
Not many "modern" cars call for 10w-40
I think after about 5 years I would not use it. Sell those Gulf containers on ebay.
I don't have any hard evidence showing oil will go bad after X amount of years but I'm weary of using any oil that's just been sitting around after four or five years.
Of course, people chide me for using sixteen year old oil filters that seem just fine for me, so to each his own. But given the fact that you can get a good cheap 10w40 for a buck a quart I'd relegate this stash to collectors status.
Of course, people chide me for using sixteen year old oil filters that seem just fine for me, so to each his own. But given the fact that you can get a good cheap 10w40 for a buck a quart I'd relegate this stash to collectors status.
Ask Pablo. He "loves" answering questions that have never been asked on BITOG before.
FYI, I searched BITOG and came up with 20 topics related to "oil shelf life".
FYI, I searched BITOG and came up with 20 topics related to "oil shelf life".
I have some MOPAR straight 20W in cylindrical metal cans, gotta be over 20 years old. I HAVE been thinking of doing a VOA on it...I'd drive the can right to the lab, cheaper than mailing it. Thing is, that place did some needlessly thorough VOA's and used oil analysis and the bill came to over $300. Remember? It was a cold winter day and I somehow decided I was in such a hurry that I popped the seal at the top of the virgin bottles, using a key. The very expensive VOA's revealed that both Redline and Amsoil had huge flaws in their oil, it was full of all sorts of crap....the crap that resides on a key from my pocket. That's why I would drive the can there; let THEM open it up!
"Never make the same mistake twice" is real easy to remember when the mistake costs a few hundred
Rob
"Never make the same mistake twice" is real easy to remember when the mistake costs a few hundred
Rob
it is also out of grade.
I think 3 years max, but it also depends on where it's been stored.
Rob the oil nut that is hilarious. i would have liked to see your expression when you sawthose results. 2-funny
This link from the Shell Rotella.com site hits on all the main talking points.
And yes, the search feature will provide access to many previous threads on this topic.
And yes, the search feature will provide access to many previous threads on this topic.
"Technically, engine oils have shelf lives of four to five years."
And then what? It will rot?
Even though I'm not a chemist, my understanding is that there are not too many organic components in the oils composition to start deteriorating with time. Especially in the purer fully synthetic ones.
I also believe that there are very few possibilities for moisture to enter a tightly sealed plastic oil container.
Notice that the oil websites don't give you any definitive reasons on exactly what in the oil itself would render it out of spec after the long periods of storage.
Those limited storage disclaimers sound like the lawyers talk.
BTW, according to kreativ this is what Castrol and Valvoline had to say on the subject:
Castrol's response:
There is no shelf life for Castrol Motor Oil, however we would suggest that for maximum protection and performance, the product be used within 5 years of the date of manufacture. Regardless of the storage conditions, moisture can get into the product via osmosis through the plastic.
Valvoline's response:
The Valvoline Company does not have a documented shelf life exposure on finished motor oil.
We would expect under optimal conditions that the product would be stable for an extended period of time.
[ September 11, 2005, 03:06 PM: Message edited by: vad ]
And then what? It will rot?
Even though I'm not a chemist, my understanding is that there are not too many organic components in the oils composition to start deteriorating with time. Especially in the purer fully synthetic ones.
I also believe that there are very few possibilities for moisture to enter a tightly sealed plastic oil container.
Notice that the oil websites don't give you any definitive reasons on exactly what in the oil itself would render it out of spec after the long periods of storage.
Those limited storage disclaimers sound like the lawyers talk.
BTW, according to kreativ this is what Castrol and Valvoline had to say on the subject:
Castrol's response:
There is no shelf life for Castrol Motor Oil, however we would suggest that for maximum protection and performance, the product be used within 5 years of the date of manufacture. Regardless of the storage conditions, moisture can get into the product via osmosis through the plastic.
Valvoline's response:
The Valvoline Company does not have a documented shelf life exposure on finished motor oil.
We would expect under optimal conditions that the product would be stable for an extended period of time.
[ September 11, 2005, 03:06 PM: Message edited by: vad ]
XOM said on their website that Mobil 1 has a shelf life of 10 years. 15 year for a dino is guarantee to be well degraded to the chemical's stead state form (i.e. oxydized base stock, oxydized additive). I would just pour them into the local recyler's bin and recycle the bottle along with them.
Collector item? Since when is perishable collectable? You probably have to wait 100 years before that happen. Someone else's basement may also have a few cases of them, so I doubt they worth anything.
Collector item? Since when is perishable collectable? You probably have to wait 100 years before that happen. Someone else's basement may also have a few cases of them, so I doubt they worth anything.
PandaBear these old oiled pieces of Americana
have become a collectors item in the last few years. Have you watched Antique Roadshow on PBS people love this stuff.
What's the source of oxygen in a hermetically sealed bottle?
If you leave it open, then it's a completely different story.
BTW, the plastic oil bottle sitting out there in the sun, fully exposed to the elements will probably break down well before the oil becomes unusable.
I think it was Lubes and greases a few months ago had a article on this and industry types sent in there opinon it varied form 1 year to 15 with I think 4-5 years as the most common answer.
bruce
bruce
But is this opinion based on any type of facts or just a feeling?
Kestas
Staff member
Plastic bottles aren't as hermetic as you might think. They are somewhat permeable to gases and other volatiles. I remember this from my studies. If you want something hermetically sealed use metal or glass.
Just antidotal? and feelings I think. Do not rmemeber any testing just opinions.
bruce
Unused oil better last a long time, some of you guys here have 5+ years worth of oil built up!
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