Thread: Oil storage life

Throw it out mate

Jeff,

I'm in the same situation, I have some oils that are over 30 years old (don't ask why ...).
A quick search warns about the fact that oil specifications are constantly upgraded so don't put the 30 year old oil in a modern vehicle which is fairly obvious but then it comes down to how it's stored.

Personally I'd not risk old oil in my Defender but might in my Series 1. The Series 1 is of lower value, less stressed and only driven infrequently.

I guess it all comes down to an educated risk..............

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Oil Shelf Life - Off-Road Forums & Discussion Groups



Colin

I asked Castrol a few years back about engine oil shelf life and was told 12 months.

I work on ships.
We routinely have many thousands of litres of all sorts of lub, hydraulic and engine oils stored in vented tanks for years.
I would be surprised if oil goes off.
But sure if it no longer meets specs as required by a newer engine dont use it.
We have a crane here with a 3500L hydraulic tank that has not been changed in 7 years the crane runs 24 hrs a day (bar break downs, which are infrequent)
Oil sampling still states it is in spec, i would say 3000L is original oil too.

On Tombie's recommendation I went and bought some EP 90, as some of the stuff in the garage is old, I suppose if you can't remember when you bought it it is too old. I figure it would degrade over time, I am very fussy with my bikes, especially the race sidecar, with oils, although for the Defender it is probably not needed as much.

I was fitting some HiTuff axles and drive flanges and thought time for an oil change, I was just trying to save a trip to the shops.

I think the new axles and drive flanges have made a huge improvement, I actually enjoy driving it again, wifey can drive the D2 for a while.

Jeff

Originally Posted by scott oz

I asked Castrol a few years back about engine oil shelf life and was told 12 months.

So Castrol recommend changing all oils after 12 months !

By the time they get it to the point-of-sale, then they have it sitting around for a few months, I buy it and it sits in the garage for a month so until I get round to doing the job looks like I need to change the oil every 6-months

Mind you it would significantly improve their sales figures.......


Colin

Maybe if there are some unstable addatives there maybe a shelf life. However the stuff gets used in some hot places and doesn't breakdown under the stress of heat within six months to years of use I can't see it breaking down in a container where air and UV can't get at it.

provided its in its original sealed package, most oils dont go off, once they get exposed they go off.

you should not use oil that is older than the vehicle in a vehicle. IMHO if I had a tub of 30yo diff oil sitting here at home I'd drop it in to fozzy but I wouldnt put it into a defender.