By this I mean oil sitting on a shelf in the house still in the original container and never opened. I have some motor oil and gear oil that I purchased 5-10 years ago and I was just wondering if can it still be used. Anybody know? Thanks.
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Sept. 9, 2010 1:59 p.m. Feedyurhed HalfDork
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Sept. 9, 2010 2:07 p.m. chuckles New Reader
I've heard that lots of temperature fluctuations, like maybe in a garage, is not good. Don't know details.
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Sept. 9, 2010 2:10 p.m. SVreX SuperDork
That may depend on whether you intend to put it in your lawnmower or a tuned performance car that revs to 12K consistently...
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Sept. 9, 2010 2:13 p.m. psychic_mechanic Dork
It can be used, oil won't go stale. Just keep an eye on the API rating (SF, SJ, etc.) and don't use it in anything it doesn't meet the rating for.
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Sept. 9, 2010 2:27 p.m. DukeOfUndersteer SuperDork
If its sealed, it should be good...
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Sept. 9, 2010 2:54 p.m. foxtrapper SuperDork
Until last week, I'd have told you it was absolutely fine in a sealed can.
But then I popped open an older can of Quakerstate and went to pour it, only to find it had turned to jelly. Literally. When I went to pour it the jelled oil extended out about 1/2". At which point I stopped trying to pour it and let it fall back into the can.
I can't explain it, but I've kept the can because I've never seen engine oil do that.
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Sept. 9, 2010 3:05 p.m. ditchdigger HalfDork
chuckles wrote:
I've heard that lots of temperature fluctuations, like maybe in a garage, is not good. Don't know details.
I can guarantee that the oil goes through many more and more extreme temperature changes in an engine than it does in a garage.
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Sept. 9, 2010 3:09 p.m. TOZOVR New Reader
Bob The Oil Guys says it does....
"The reality is that motor oils do not need to be changed because they thin with use. It is the eventual thickening that limits the time you may keep oil in your engine. The limit is both time itself (with no motor use) and/or mileage use. The storage of motor oil in your garage, particularly mineral based oils, slowly ages the oil limiting its use later. Do not store huge volumes of oil in your garage that is exposed to extremes of temperature."
So I guess it all depends on your amount and where you live.
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Sept. 9, 2010 3:15 p.m. spitfirebill Dork
foxtrapper wrote:
Until last week, I'd have told you it was absolutely fine in a sealed can.
But then I popped open an older can of Quakerstate and went to pour it, only to find it had turned to jelly. Literally. When I went to pour it the jelled oil extended out about 1/2". At which point I stopped trying to pour it and let it fall back into the can.
I can't explain it, but I've kept the can because I've never seen engine oil do that.
That's one of the reasons I stopped using Quaker State back in the 1970s. Stupid thing is I went to Pennzoil, which is probably the same stuff in a different bottle.
We had a guy at work that found a stash of old oil in his fathers storage building after he died. I think some may have been 20-30 years old. I think somebody took it and used it.
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Sept. 9, 2010 3:15 p.m. dj06482 Reader
Good article on this topic: http://www.motoiq.com/magazine_articles/articletype/articleview/articleid/1651/ask...
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Sept. 9, 2010 3:34 p.m. PS122 New Reader
I guess its time for me to recycle some old oil and trans fluid thats been taking up space on my shelves for the past five or so years....
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Sept. 9, 2010 4:47 p.m. bigbens6 New Reader
http://www.motoiq.com/magazine_articles/articletype/articleview/articleid/1651/ask...
I would not use it, maybe for the lawn mower... or a squeaky hinge or chair, but not in my car...
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Sept. 9, 2010 6:08 p.m. Feedyurhed HalfDork
OK. Since it's basically of unkown age I am just going to recycle it and get new. Thanks.
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Sept. 9, 2010 7:00 p.m. benzbaron HalfDork
I used some oil of unknown age in my mercedes and toyota and it worked fine. I'd say if the oil pours it should be good. If you are going to get rid of it I'd put it in the free section on craigslist, someone will take it.
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Sept. 9, 2010 7:40 p.m. paul Reader
I've read from several sources that over time, certain additives may settle out of suspension in oil and to shake the bottle before using...
