FYI Is old oil OK to use?

[Joe Hogan]

 

[rvkev]

It appears old oil is only better than NO oil.

 

[AbdRahim]

I had the same question. I found some brand new oil (that is unopened oil) that was 20 years old. I was afraid to use it - fully synthetic even.

 

[rvkev]

I found some brand new oil (that is unopened oil) that was 20 years old

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Like fresh leftovers that did not make it to the refrigerator, having green fuzz on them.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Send it my way! I'll use it!!!

 

[Chuggs]

I found a statement by valvoline that their oil has a shelf life of 5 years. I'm betting much longer...but it probably quells complaints that they purchased oil that didn't have a recent mfg. date.

 

[B52Bombardier1]

With old oil, besides perhaps the additive package going stale, you miss out on any technology improvements on oil that have occurred since then. Oil is the lifeblood of the engine and its always going to be new for me.

Rick

 

[Chuggs]

He's got a point... although...the technology we had back in 1998 took good care of my ISB for over 200,000 miles.

 

[Joe Hogan]

The chemistry of gasoline and lubricants has changed so much over just my lifetime it is amazing.
The engine materials and components have also changed considerably. Hard to compare one piece of tech between time periods.
Building engines in the 1960s (big block GM) vs 2000s (turbo 4 cylinder) vs today is completely different tech. Exotic metal, coatings, piston tops engineering, gapless rings, all amazing.
Fun learning about all of this. My days of engine building is well beyond me now.

 

[B52Bombardier1]

About an hour ago, I drained six quarts of conventional Valvoline 10W-30 out of a rebuilt GM LS engine (2002 Chevy Silverado) that only had one hour of shop floor operation on it. Changed out the NAPA Gold 7060 filter, too and I will cut it open tomorrow with the can cutter once it fully drains to look at the internal pleated media for any metal. The magnet in the drain plug only had a tiny trace amount of metallic fuzz on it and I'm pretty happy with the break-in performance of this motor so far.

Soon, this motor will find a new home in a land yacht GM B-Body Pontiac Catalina convertible. Yes, I worry about engine oil.

Rick

 

[J&JD]

My dad had a small shop in Fresno where he built and operated different types of farm equipment powered by all types of engines including old 7 cylinder radial aircraft engines and all types of 4/6/8 cylinder standard automotive style engines. In the early 1950’s he purchased a batch of 55gal drums of reclaimed oil from the Navy that was returned from the Pacific theater after WW2. He used that oil for as long as I can remember (at least 20+ years) in every conceivable engine imaginable. Never once do I remember an engine freezing up or destroying itself because the oil went bad.
Now, does that mean that I would use that oil today in my ISL450? Hell no! However, if I did, I would bet the engine would manage to get to 100k miles just fine. After that…..hmmmm, not willing to chance it with the price of these engines at $50k or more.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I would suggest doing what you're comfortable doing!

In the early 80's I was using synthetic aircraft oil! I attribute the 250+k miles I put on my old junkers,to that oil! More than likely though,it was the way I drive, but who can say?

That said! If you have old synthetic you don't want to chance, I will use it!!! Well,if its 5 20w

 

[Joe Hogan]

Regarding changes in engine technology and chemistry of fluids, here is an example of why it is important to understand your engine and the chemistry of fluids.
Also if your fluids are Mfg approved can avoid warranty issues.

How low-speed pre-ignition can damage your direct-injection turbo engine - Hagerty Media

LSPI can result in catastrophic engine damage under the right conditions. Conditions I witnessed first-hand when my brother's Focus ST.

www.hagerty.com