Does 2-cycle oil expire?

[iggyw1]

I have a chance to purchase some good quality outboard motor 2-cycle oil. It is Sierra International TC-W3 2-cycle oil in 2.5 gallon sealed containers of it for $35 per the 2.5 gallons. The guy has 10 containers of it, and I can have as many of the ten jugs of it as I want for that price. If I buy all 10 of them, I can get them for $30 per container. The part # is 18-9500-4. I Googled it & it costs much more than $30 or $35 for 2.5 gallons at any store or on line anywhere.

My question is this: Does this oil have a shelf life on it? How long will it last without expiring if it is in the original sealed jugs with 2.5 gallons in each jug? That much oil will last me a few years for sure, & that's why I am asking this question.

Thank you!

 

[Chris1956]

I would expect that oil to last a decade, if in sealed container.

 

[iggyw1]

Thank you. I thought it would last for quite awhile, but I have a friend that is telling me it is only good for about two years than starts to break down. I thought it would last a heck of a lot longer than two years.

 

[In way over my head... always]

MOD EDIT - Read our rules and follow them!

 

[matt167]

I don't think it really does. For instance, there is actually a following of lawn boy mowers. Some claim that the only oil that a lawn boy can use, is lawn boy oil ( TCW3 rated ). So they will buy NOS oil of whatever vintage it may be and run that..

I run my lawn boy and all my trimmers and stuff along with my outboards on Supertech TCW3 and I think the gallon jug I'm using is ~5 years old

 

[racerone]

Oil and lubrication is not well understood in a 2 stroke.-----I would pour old 2 stroke out of the container for a " look see " before mixing with the gasoline.----I heard that some additives will settle out and form a sort of jelly at the bottom of the container.

 

[Chris1956]

Has anyone ever seen 2 cycle oil have something settle out of the oil? I sure haven't.

 

[matt167]

I can say that the supertech oil I have which is about 5 years old, looks as fresh as brand new oil. Nothing settling in it.. Runs all my equipment and boat motors just fine.

 

[JimS123]

Has anyone ever seen 2 cycle oil have something settle out of the oil? I sure haven't.

I found a can of oil on the back of my shelf. It looked like it had settlng so I shook it up and used it. The motor ran like crap. I don't know how old it was....maybe 10 years? The next tank of gas with fresh oil ran OK.

If you ask the manufacturers, they claim that it DOES have a shelf life. Its not the oil, but the additives. Naturally, they won't tell you WHAT the shelf life is.

Calculate how much money you will save with the deal. If it were me I would say its not worth it. The cans may be old already.

 

[Faztbullet]

Has anyone ever seen 2 cycle oil have something settle out of the oil? I sure haven't.

I have see the jelly numerous times in oil tanks...dont know it something settled out...

 

[aspeck]

I go through that much oil, and more, every summer, I don't use my boat nearly enough! I have never had a settling issue.

 

[racerone]

Ah Ha----So there is some truth to this 2 stroke oil going to jelly in the bottom of the container ?

 

[In way over my head... always]

MOD EDIT - Read our rules and follow them!

I'm sorry. Read and noted.


Without the links, my sources say 5 years.

 

[Sea Rider]

Currently running 10 years old Tohatsu 2 stroke TC-W3 oil by quarts with 0 issues. The manufacturer recommends not to mix 2 different TC-W3 oil brands due to probable jelly formations.

Happy Boating​