Use 10-year-old gear oil?

[Stelth]

I have some old Lucas 80w-90 that I bought ~10 years ago for my 2nd gen 4Runner. Now I have a 3rd gen (‘97) 4Runner. Assuming that it’s been well-sealed, is it ok to use in my differential?

 

[TnT_M]

I'm guessing it meets the viscosity and spec of your vehicle. If so give it a good shake and use it with confidence.

 

[Rand]

That gear oil was not great new, skip using it after sitting for 10 years.. unless its as a rinse for a couple hundred miles.
Go buy supertech or anything really.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Why not use it? Shake that thing up and pour.

Lots of differentials go to the junkyard with the factory fill 15 or 20 years later and still work fine.

 

[meep]

97 4R is a robust vehicle. You can use that oil. Even if it’s not top tier, it’s not been beat on or contaminated. If you aren’t certain, you could always shorten the interval.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

You had my hellno at “Lucas”.

 

[Speedbird001]

Risk not worth reward imo... $ you spent on that Lucas years ago is long gone. Bite the bullet, put in some top shelf stuff and you will feel better.

(Peace of mind is worth something. If you didn't have a doubt you would not have asked right?)

Can you wait a few weeks? Black Fridays sales coming up. HPL?

 

[Oliveoil2]

Shake and use.

 

[ripcord]

Good for a 30k run

 

[Chris142]

What's wrong with the Lucas gear oil if it meets spec? Gl-5?

 

[doitmyself]

Maybe an expert like @MolaKule can chime in. When I purchased workplace 5 gallon pails of gear oils, they told me they were good for 6 to 8 years. Plastic bottles can diffuse molecules of air, water, etc. over very long periods of time. Can this affect gear oil? Oxidation? Additive fallout? I don't know. Personally, it seems "penny wise - pound foolish" to save $13 on gear oil in an expensive application.

 

[SC Maintenance]

For those saying not to use?

Are you saying that because mainly its Lucas brand?
Are you saying it because the add pack has possibly settled out from sitting?
Another reason?

I don't think 80W-90 conventional oil goes "bad" by itself?

 

[fozzdesy2001]

Quart of Mobil 1 75W-90 is $20-30, Valvoline in that Super handy pouch is less than $20

 

[CleanSump]

Friends advise friends not to use Lucas anything.

 

[D60]

A middle ground is front diff only. They simply don't see the use, wear or load of the rear. Unless this is a 2Runner (then my condolences)

But I'd probably just shake and use also. It's clean gear oil.

 

[barkingspider]

I would use it

 

[K-Man]

How long was the oil in the ground before being pumped out and made into the lube?