Does oil have a shelflife?

[sikpnter]

I bought 5 gallons of pennzoil synthetic blend 2 years ago from checker auto on clearence and have only used 2 gallons since. I should be set for couple of years unless they go bad. Any input? Thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Does oil have a shelflife?

you should be ok.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Does oil have a shelflife?

I wouldn't lose any sleep til it's decades old.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Does oil have a shelflife?

Maybe the additives would have a shelf life, but the basic ingredient you know is millions of years old.
Course, refining of the raw product could alter it to the point where it could have a shelf life....like gasoline has.

Mark

 

[gss036]

Re: Does oil have a shelflife?

Just shake it up before you put it motor or oil tank, should be good. I made a mistake back in 1990, got a good buy from an oil distrubitor and bought a 55 gal drum of Exxon oil. Took quite a while to use and it was starting to gel up at the end so had to throw a little bit away, I just didn't trust it to work any more. I don't like to go over 2 years. I have 5 gal sitting on my work bench but figure I will use it before the end of summer of 07.

 

[sikpnter]

Re: Does oil have a shelflife?

Maybe I should go fishing more so It doesn't sit around so long. hmmmm Thanks guys

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Does oil have a shelflife?

Hey gss, do you suppose that it had injested moisture? Being such a large quantity and in a steel drum (bad condensation), and for such a long time I'd go for environmental contamination.

What do you think?

Mark

 

[gss036]

Re: Does oil have a shelflife?

Texasmark, yes very well could have been moisture, but was sealed and on a stand w/spigot to take out oil.

 

[JB]

Re: Does oil have a shelflife?

Explain to your wife:

You have to use it up or it may become useless.

Don't tell her it would take megayears.

 

[gss036]

Re: Does oil have a shelflife?

JB, she never asked about how long it would take, I just told her it was a good deal. That was back when I put 200+ hrs a year on the motor, now I am lucky to hit 50 hrs. as I just use it for salmon fishing and the way they have us restricted now, we are only open about 6 months out of the year, unless one goes to B.C., Canada which is open year long and you can keep 2 kings where we can only have one where I am at and sometimes, they have to be clipped (hatchery) fish. Opps! Off subject, sorry about that.

 

[sikpnter]

Re: Does oil have a shelflife?

Explain to your wife:

You have to use it up or it may become useless.

Don't tell her it would take megayears.

 

[sikpnter]

Re: Does oil have a shelflife?

Explain to your wife:

You have to use it up or it may become useless.

Don't tell her it would take megayears.

You nailed it. My wife is the reason I don't go fishing everyotherday like I used to. shhhhhhh I love her though.

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Does oil have a shelflife?

yes oil does have a shelf-life, but it has to be opened first

3 months once u crack it opened8)

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Does oil have a shelflife?

A good rule of thumb is five years unopened, and as little as two years if opened. The oil base is still good, but the additives start to suffer and moisture is an issue.