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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: ozstickman on June 04, 2014, 05:57:50 PM

Title: Engine oil shelf life??
Post by: ozstickman on June 04, 2014, 05:57:50 PM
Just wondering how long engine oil can sit around before being buggered.

I ask because I have 40L of engine oil for a Cummins ISX egr motor that the boss have me 5 years ago for if I had to do a service up here in Rocky before I had the chance to get to the depot near Toowoomba.

The oil has been stored in the cool and shade for the last five years in sealed bottles.

We are moving and want to off load it instead of carting it with us.

From memory it is a Castrol oil suited for the Cummins ISX EGR motors.

Cheers and Beers
Sticko


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Title: Re: Engine oil shelf life??
Post by: dazzler on June 04, 2014, 06:08:44 PM
Plastic bottles?  No probs.

Steel?  May be some rust where air was present.

Should be fine.
Title: Re: Engine oil shelf life??
Post by: Mace on June 04, 2014, 08:36:30 PM
Mobil reckon typically 5 years.

http://www.mobilindustrial.com/ind/english/files/tt-lubricating-oils-greases-shelf-life-recommendations.pdf (http://www.mobilindustrial.com/ind/english/files/tt-lubricating-oils-greases-shelf-life-recommendations.pdf)

I've used oils in the past that were well over that.  60 litre drums last a long while when you only do one oil change a year on the Tractor,

If it's not cloudy, or showing signs of any moisture I would still use.

 :cheers:
Title: Re: Engine oil shelf life??
Post by: GeoffA on June 04, 2014, 08:40:14 PM
Mobil reckon typically 5 years............I've used oils in the past that were well over that.........

I wouldn't worry about shelf-life. If it's a mineral oil, it's been around for a very long time.......
Title: Re: Engine oil shelf life??
Post by: Mace on June 04, 2014, 08:45:49 PM
I wouldn't worry about shelf-life. If it's a mineral oil, it's been around for a very long time.......

20 million years, a mere flicker in the timeline  ;D

 :cheers:
Title: Re: Engine oil shelf life??
Post by: dazzler on June 04, 2014, 09:31:57 PM
20 million years, a mere flicker in the timeline  ;D

 :cheers:

I thought it was 4500 yrs .....   LOL 
Title: Re: Engine oil shelf life??
Post by: Mace on June 04, 2014, 09:45:02 PM
I thought it was 4500 yrs .....   LOL

It's actually closer to 300 to 360  million years ago, when most Carboniferous coal deposits were lain down originally as decayed organic matter, trees, vegetation, etc.

So, we as a society will use up the end result of 60 million years geological activity in a few hundred years and as a result pump all that extra carbon into the atmosphere, leaving our kids with an unknown legacy.

Scary in the bigger picture isn't it?
Title: Re: Engine oil shelf life??
Post by: GGV8Cruza on June 04, 2014, 10:00:23 PM
I wouldn't worry about shelf-life. If it's a mineral oil, it's been around for a very long time.......

With the reserves you had you might have to rotate the drums occasionally ;D

GG
Title: Re: Engine oil shelf life??
Post by: GeoffA on June 04, 2014, 10:05:03 PM
With the reserves you had you might have to rotate the drums occasionally ;D

GG

Doesn't hurt to have a little on hand...... ;D ;D
Title: Re: Engine oil shelf life??
Post by: ozstickman on June 05, 2014, 06:22:16 PM
Well I'd better try and flog the oil off then.  Anyone want 40L??


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Title: Re: Engine oil shelf life??
Post by: ScottT on June 06, 2014, 11:15:47 AM
I wouldn't worry about shelf-life. If it's a mineral oil, it's been around for a very long time.......

It's not the base oil you need to worry about, it's the additives.

2-5 years is the recommended check date. Between this time it is recommended to sample it into a clear jar and look for water or any seperation. You can preform a simple "crackle test" for water (google it).

If in doubt, check with the manufacturer.

Cheers, Scott
Title: Re: Engine oil shelf life??
Post by: ozstickman on June 06, 2014, 11:35:49 AM

It's not the base oil you need to worry about, it's the additives.

2-5 years is the recommended check date. Between this time it is recommended to sample it into a clear jar and look for water or any seperation. You can preform a simple "crackle test" for water (google it).

If in doubt, check with the manufacturer.

Cheers, Scott
Cheers. I'll have a look when I get home.


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