Storing Oil

[walker33]

Hi all,

I have a question about storing oil...

I recently took advantage of a sale Struass Auto was having and picked up a few cases of CG. The cases were sealed but obviously older, when I got them home I opened them up to check the code on the bottom of the bottles. It starts with MO7, which from what I can figure, makes these bottles a few years old. They also have the older hex caps on them which also indicates an older batch. All the bottles are fine, no leakage, no damage etc. I now have the cases stored off the floor in my basement.

While chatting with a co-worker he expressed concern about "old oil going bad". I'm not sweating about the age of the oil, but it got me to thinking just how long can a quality oil be stored before it shouldn't be used,if ever,or am I concerned about nothing?

Thanks!

 

[Bluestream]

This is a recurring topic; check the search.

Official answer is 5 years, unofficial is whatever you are comfortable with...

I actually did ask Castrol in 2006 about oil and got this reply:

"There is no shelf life for Castrol 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.

You can determine the date of manufacture by locating the fill code on the
bottom of the back panel. It is composed of a series of letters and
numbers, with the first five characters being the most important.

For example, if you have C04001...., the "C" would represent the plant
location. The five digits '04001' represents the date of production. The
numbers 04 represent the last digits of the year (2004) and the '001'
represents the day of the year, based on 365 calendar days, on which it was
produced (January 1).

For C9001 '9001' represents the date of production. The number 9 represents
the last digit of the year (1999) and '001' represents the day of the year,
based on 365 calendar days, on which it was produced (January 1)."

 

[daman]

Originally Posted By: Bluestream
This is a recurring topic; check the search.

Agreed...


many many members here including myself have used oil that's 5,7,10 years old(if stored correctly)and works just fine,shake it up good and pour it in...

 

[dgee]

Originally Posted By: walker33
I now have the cases stored off the floor in my basement.


i'd keep them out of the basement if you plan to store them for a while.

 

[walker33]

Thanks for the replies everyone and sorry about not searching, didn't think of using it.

 

[John_K]

I keep my stash in solid plastic tubs, thank god as I had a Castrol spring a leak. Would have oozed all over if it weren't for the plastic tub.

John

 

[TurboWagon]

Originally Posted By: walker33
Thanks for the replies everyone and sorry about not searching, didn't think of using it.


Well if everyone used the search, we wouldn't have much of a forum.

 

[daman]

Originally Posted By: TurboWagon
Originally Posted By: walker33
Thanks for the replies everyone and sorry about not searching, didn't think of using it.


Well if everyone used the search, we wouldn't have much of a forum.

Oh there's always someone with an unanswered question.

 

[walker33]

As a follow up, the code says this batch was produced in February of 2007.

 

[Zaedock]

Originally Posted By: dgee
Originally Posted By: walker33
I now have the cases stored off the floor in my basement.


i'd keep them out of the basement if you plan to store them for a while.


Why? Store in a "cool dry place"! LOL

I've always kept mine in the basement. Using 7 year old oil right now.

 

[05ChevyI5]

I was told by Amsoil via email about 5yrs is good for best performance.