Engine oil shelf life

[Blue62]

I have some Castrol Turbo Diesel oil sitting in my garage that I reckon is around 6 years old, it's about half full and I'm wondering if I should dispose of it or whether it's still ok to use. Any advice much appreciated, as always.

[GreigM]

A lot of manufacturers will say a max 5 year shelf life, but others have been known to say that you just need to give it a good shake to mix the additives that may have separated. If its something exotic/high performance I wouldn't use it - for an average day to day car I'd not have a problem.

[Blue62]

Thanks mate, it's a Discovery and a Golf, not too exotic.

[E38Ross]

the owners book in my car says to change the oil every 2 years even if not used regularly as the oil degrades over time but not sure if this applies to oil sat in a container. for the sake of a few quid i'd bin it; but it's your car...

[Leptons]

I think given that it's sat in the ground for a few million years it will be fine....

[All that jazz]

E38Ross said:

the owners book in my car says to change the oil every 2 years even if not used regularly as the oil degrades over time but not sure if this applies to oil sat in a container. for the sake of a few quid i'd bin it; but it's your car...

Shows how long it is since you've last bought any oil!

On topic: I'd give the bottle a good shake and then use it. It'll be fine imho.

[E38Ross]

Leptons said:

I think given that it's sat in the ground for a few million years it will be fine....

sounds like you put crude oil in your engine which i wouldn't advise. and if it's synthetic oil it's not just made from crude oil, so your comment is somewhat stupid; unless you're being sarcastic of course

[E38Ross]

All that jazz said:

E38Ross said:

the owners book in my car says to change the oil every 2 years even if not used regularly as the oil degrades over time but not sure if this applies to oil sat in a container. for the sake of a few quid i'd bin it; but it's your car...

Shows how long it is since you've last bought any oil!

last month actually. 2x4 litres of castrol magnatec 5W-30 fully synth for £36 total. he said 1/2 a bottle so unless its castrol edge it's not going be worth that much for the sake of potentially putting cack oil in the engine.

[Leptons]

E38Ross said:

sounds like you put crude oil in your engine which i wouldn't advise. and if it's synthetic oil it's not just made from crude oil, so your comment is somewhat stupid; unless you're being sarcastic of course

If its in a sealed bottle I'd suggest its you being stupid.

[E38Ross]

Leptons said:

E38Ross said:

sounds like you put crude oil in your engine which i wouldn't advise. and if it's synthetic oil it's not just made from crude oil, so your comment is somewhat stupid; unless you're being sarcastic of course

If its in a sealed bottle I'd suggest its you being stupid.

http://www.ehow.com/facts_7477935_shelf-life-motor-oil.html

we don't know enough about how it's stored but you're suggesting that it never degrades over time, which is incorrect. the fact it's half full means it's been opened, was it opened 6 years ago? what temperatures has it been subject to etc? it may have had some moisture get into it etc.

things do "go off" over time even if stored in a sealed container, especially if it's been opened before.

depends on the oil too, the additives can degrade over time.

Edited by E38Ross on Monday 30th July 11:12

[GreigM]

Valvoline say:
http://www.valvoline.com/faqs/motor-oil/general-mo...

Make your own mind up, but I'd use it.

[rfsteel]

I thought it was only brake fluid that could retain moisture?

I'd be interested in knowing what oil shelf life is, as I've got around 12l of Castrol TWS in stock for my M5, that I was hoping would last longer than 2 years.

[Leptons]

I think the degradation comes from when its been in an engine and has become diluted with fuel and contaminated with carbon deposits. Surely any water it had absorbed would soon evaporate off once it has warmed up.

In any case I would use it.

[GreigM]

Oil doesn't absorb water - they are immiscible - put some water and oil in a glass and watch the magic and the oil settles on top.....this is what fked BP up in the states!

[Agrispeed]

I think it depends on the oil, synthetic compared to straight mineral anyone?

[GreigM]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

You can get mineral oil based brake fluids, but they cannot absorb water - however most are glycol-ether based which can absorb water..

[thinfourth2]

Are you putting this oil into a highly stressed turbine that if it fails it will kill a hundred million kittens or are you putting it in a car engine that will probably run quite happily with something vaguely slippery and roughly the right viscosity in it.


As to those that say it should be chucked i do assume they do an oil change after every single time they start the car

[nottyash]

GreigM said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

You can get mineral oil based brake fluids, but they cannot absorb water - however most are glycol-ether based which can absorb water..

Mineral oil has nothing to do with it. When the wax is removed it becomes hydroscopic and can absorb moisture, such as oil used in fridges, and semi hydroscopic like brake fluid (I think).
Hydroscopic oil has to be thrown away if not used immidiatly as it absorbs moisture from the air.

Edited by nottyash on Monday 30th July 18:51

[Blue62]

This thread sums up what I like about PH. Great responses, useful knowledge, nice digression and a bit of 'argy bargy'. I just wanted to know if I should chuck or keep a few litres of turbo diesel engine oil and look what happened, cheers. For the record I am going to keep the oil and sheikh it before use!

[E38Ross]

thinfourth2 said:

Are you putting this oil into a highly stressed turbine that if it fails it will kill a hundred million kittens or are you putting it in a car engine that will probably run quite happily with something vaguely slippery and roughly the right viscosity in it.


As to those that say it should be chucked i do assume they do an oil change after every single time they start the car

Nope, just every 6k or so