quote:

Originally posted by StorminNormin:
I have many quarts of regular (non-synthetic) motor oil that I have probably had for 15-18 years. They have never been opened and have just sat in my garage. I used to buy in bulk and used regular oil until the truck I bought in 2002. Since then I have exclusively used synthetic oil for the last 17.5 years in my truck. I plan to move in 12-18 months so I am starting to clean things out. I am curious if the oil is still good and I can sell it with an age disclaimer, or if I should just properly dispose of it.

The oil does not "go bad."

Re-sale value is always what you can get for something, no matter what it is. Unless there's something collectible about the brand or container, I wouldn't bother.

Limitations on storage relate to the storage conditions and the container, not the oil. The oil will not age or fail from age, or change in formulation or oxidize or othewise degrade. It will not break down. It's perfectly fine to use.

If stored in a metal can and not properly sealed, or under conditions that have allowed the can to deteriorate, there may be an issue, but only if the problem extends to the inside of the can.

When I was in the south pacific, the Bougainville Republican Army (BRA) forced some local tribal elders to reveal the location of some cached Japanese weapons, left from the second world war. The weapons had been stored in motor oil and buried. The weapons were recovered, in perfect condition, and used. Oil is a preservative.

Oil in an engine should be changed based on miles or hours, or calendar days. In the case of the latter, it's not because the oil has changed, but because acids in the engine will wash down into the oil and accumulate around bearings and other places that can become corroded, as can moisture accumulate through condensation in the engine. This is especially true in humid environments. This is not true inside a sealed can or container of oil; the oil will be fine in storage indefinitely.

As a formulator of automotive lubricants allow me to opine. Storage of lubricants results in irreversible chemical reactions. The magnitude of these varies, of course, with the components within, the conditions, and time. One way to judge the condition is to compare new and stored lubricants with chemical tests. Since there are no new lubricant tests available to you, this is impossible.

Independent of new oil comparison, an infrared spectrum would indicate oxidation. A water test would shed light on both component reactions and storage contamination through vapor in atmosphere seeping into container. Lots more could be done to evaluate, but I won't belabor the point.

Would I use ancient oil? No.

quote:

Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
As a formulator of automotive lubricants allow me to opine. Storage of lubricants results in irreversible chemical reactions. The magnitude of these varies, of course, with the components within, the conditions, and time. One way to judge the condition is to compare new and stored lubricants with chemical tests. Since there are no new lubricant tests available to you, this is impossible.

Independent of new oil comparison, an infrared spectrum would indicate oxidation. A water test would shed light on both component reactions and storage contamination through vapor in atmosphere seeping into container. Lots more could be done to evaluate, but I won't belabor the point.

Would I use ancient oil? No.

Are you a member of BITOG?

WTF is a " formulator of automotive lubricants " ? Can we assume you're not a Petroleum Engineer ?

quote:

Originally posted by selogic:
WTF is a " formulator of automotive lubricants " ? Can we assume you're not a Petroleum Engineer ?

He is the one that takes the specified design specs of the desired oil or lubricant and he then mixes various compounds, base oils, anti wear additives and a whole bunch of stuff to come with the desired properties. A lot is seakrit recipes and all that.

Every bottle of oil you see is the result of a formulators work.

quote:

Originally posted by Flashlightboy:

quote:

Originally posted by selogic:
WTF is a " formulator of automotive lubricants " ? Can we assume you're not a Petroleum Engineer ?

He is the one that takes the specified design specs of the desired oil or lubricant and he then mixes various compounds, base oils, anti wear additives and a whole bunch of stuff to come with the desired properties. A lot is seakrit recipes and all that.

Every bottle of oil you see is the result of a formulators work.

No, his secretary takes the specs from the customers and hands them to the engineers

Link to original video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=m4OvQIGDg4I

He's a people person!!!

quote:

Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
As a formulator of automotive lubricants allow me to opine. Storage of lubricants results in irreversible chemical reactions. The magnitude of these varies, of course, with the components within, the conditions, and time. One way to judge the condition is to compare new and stored lubricants with chemical tests. Since there are no new lubricant tests available to you, this is impossible.

Independent of new oil comparison, an infrared spectrum would indicate oxidation. A water test would shed light on both component reactions and storage contamination through vapor in atmosphere seeping into container. Lots more could be done to evaluate, but I won't belabor the point.

Would I use ancient oil? No.

Do you feel the same regarding synthetic oil?
Thanks!

Use it.

quote:

Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
As a formulator of automotive lubricants allow me to opine. Storage of lubricants results in irreversible chemical reactions. The magnitude of these varies, of course, with the components within, the conditions, and time. One way to judge the condition is to compare new and stored lubricants with chemical tests. Since there are no new lubricant tests available to you, this is impossible.

Independent of new oil comparison, an infrared spectrum would indicate oxidation. A water test would shed light on both component reactions and storage contamination through vapor in atmosphere seeping into container. Lots more could be done to evaluate, but I won't belabor the point.

Would I use ancient oil? No.

I agree. Don’t use it. The additives break down over time. Even synthetics only have a shelf life of 5 years according to Mobil.

Not to mention the additive package in that oil isn’t compatible with modern engines.

i would likely use it. not on my wifes turbocharged latemodel mercedes, but in the old pushrod small block in my truck, without hesitation. i have seen those engines go over 40k miles on factory fill back in the day (some people buy a new car and dont know they need to change the oil, engine was nasty when i tore it down). i dont think 2500 miles on some old, unused oil would be an issue. so it depends on what you intend on running it in IMO. some engines it wont matter.

After a million years or so it turns into a dinosaur.

I found a few cases of SJ oil in the back of the garage. Used it in the 1974 F250 without any worries.

BTW, you can still get oil with a high ZDDP content. Racing oil and "Classic Car" oil by Lucas both have high phosphorus and zinc content. I used that kind of oil in my old boat with a 1980's era 351 Ford. You could also add ZDDP additive to any oil.

A question was raised about synthetic vs mineral base oils and aging. To be sure the man-made base oils have much less oxidation, and are more stable. The additive chemistry in the lubricant reacts and ages regardless. A mineral oil with high levels of sulfur may age faster, and the sulfur could interact with the additive components. Mineral oil that is highly refined and essentially free from sulfur would age similar to synthetic. These differences are described by API Group designations. Additive + oil = lubricant.

Can you share your view of GTL basestocks as being more marketing than quantifiable improvement over traditional basestocks?

Its 5 year shelf life for modern cars. Thats lawn mower oil. Put it up for sale on your local online classifieds and someone will snap it up at 50 cents a quart. Or use it in your lawnmower, pressure washer, generator, if you own small engines.

Unless you've got a few hundred gallons, I doubt anyone will pay for it. Probably still meets DOT specs for spraying on the gravel or dirt road (if that's still legal).

On the other hand, it's possible the cans or containers might be collectible.