John Bracher Posted July 23, 2018 Report Share Posted July 23, 2018 Gents I have a friend who while clearing his late Father's effects, has discovered about 15 x 5 litre cans of 20/50 oil. The oil is 'brand new' and 'unopened' but about 15 years + old. Apparently some of the cans have started rusting having been stood on a cold floor, but are otherwise untouched. (It would appear the Old chap was a bit of a Wheeler Dealer, and always buying/selling car stuff!) They are of various brands/manufacture, including Castrol GTX. Q. Will any of the oil be worth acquiring?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR NIALL Posted July 23, 2018 Report Share Posted July 23, 2018 Gents I have a friend who while clearing his late Father's effects, has discovered about 15 x 5 litre cans of 20/50 oil. The oil is 'brand new' and 'unopened' but about 15 years + old. Apparently some of the cans have started rusting having been stood on a cold floor, but are otherwise untouched. (It would appear the Old chap was a bit of a Wheeler Dealer, and always buying/selling car stuff!) They are of various brands/manufacture, including Castrol GTX. Q. Will any of the oil be worth acquiring?? Well considering the price Autojumblers are asking for Auld Cans don’t just dump them even if the Oil is waste. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stillp Posted July 23, 2018 Report Share Posted July 23, 2018 I can't see it deteriorating significantly, and wouldn't hesitate to use it. Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted July 23, 2018 Report Share Posted July 23, 2018 I'm sure there was a post on here a year or so back saying that stored oil DOES deteriorate. Very cold weather causes chaos. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ben Freer Posted July 23, 2018 Report Share Posted July 23, 2018 Yes there was Roger! https://www.tr-register.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/60789-how-long-does-un-opened-oil-last-on-the-shelf/?hl=%2Bshelf+%2Blife&do=findComment&comment=514185 and as you say not that long ago (that must give you some reassurance re memory loss! ) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john.r.davies Posted July 24, 2018 Report Share Posted July 24, 2018 In that thread (thank you Ben!), my lecturer referred to additives coming out of solution. The usual correction for that is a little heat and agitation, which the oil will get if poured into an engine. So unless you friend's dad's old oil has gross deposits, I'd say use it! None of it is old enough to smell of castor oil, is it? JOhn Quote Link to post Share on other sites
4Mal Posted July 24, 2018 Report Share Posted July 24, 2018 https://www.lubricants.total.com/does-motor-oil-expire http://www.elf.com/en/advice-corner/engine-oil-faq/does-motor-oil-expire.html From t'internet. When I have an opened can of oil for 3 years or more, I have got rid. Especially modern high performance oils for the Porsche or daily drivers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MikeF Posted July 24, 2018 Report Share Posted July 24, 2018 (edited) In that thread (thank you Ben!), my lecturer referred to additives coming out of solution. The usual correction for that is a little heat and agitation, which the oil will get if poured into an engine. So unless you friend's dad's old oil has gross deposits, I'd say use it! None of it is old enough to smell of castor oil, is it? JOhn That would be Castrol R! Brings back fond memories! I am not an oil expert but experience in related areas suggests that warming and shaking can work, but can't be 100% relied on to reconstitute the original formulation..The separated gloop could be a reaction product for example. So far as long term storage is concerned shelf life can be quite long conditional on original unopened containers stored low humidity, even (low) temperature. (Accelerated ageing tests usually consist of thermal cycling, eg My garage this week is unbearably hot by about 11.00am, but quite cool first thing), I would use it if the oil looked the right colour without separation, but mixed with fresh oil or at reduced service interval as a precaution. Mike Edited July 24, 2018 by MikeF Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Bracher Posted July 24, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2018 Gents Thanks for the input. I was thinking primarily for flushing/initial run ups etc, so think I'll garb some. Niall, the 'cans' idea may be a winner??? Hmm could be 'my ship coming in', ......on a sea of old oil! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DidierAubin87 Posted July 25, 2018 Report Share Posted July 25, 2018 Be careful, these oil cans are too old for using, I don't think it is a good idea , I mean you can not know whether it will be worth to change the very old oil for a running car. What if your engine car will be damaged? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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