Old oil

Old560 · Nov 18, 2020

Have about 10 gallons of Valvoline 80 W 90 just over three years old how long can you let Oil sit before the additives start dropping out of it. I’ve looked in some old sealed oil containers and there’s sediment in the bottom. So how long will you let it sit before you recycle it.

rustred · Nov 18, 2020

is this new oil or used oil? and what do you mean by recycle it? you can buy brand new oil and if it was sitting it has solids on the botton of the pail. i have seen this many many times and mostly with the shell white pails.
if its new oil just use it.

fixerupper · Nov 18, 2020

I am going to hijack your post a bit, but it is along the same line. Maybe we both can get answers. LOL I have four or five unopened 15 gallon drums of 20wt non detergent that is all of 40 years old. Is this stuff any good?

Steve in IL · Nov 18, 2020

Sealed oil will last a lonnnngggg time. Regarding dropout, the company I used to work for went from white to black oil containers, just so people wouldn’t see the dropout that occurs immediately. I always shake the oil containers before I use them.

pete 23 · Nov 18, 2020

Sealed, no water or other contaminents, use it. Sits in tractors a lot longer.

Same with the non detergent just use it where non detergent is specified.

Russ from MN · Nov 18, 2020

Maybe don't use what's in the very bottom? I had some 5 year old (new) hydraulic oil and there was just a little sludge in the bottom.

David G · Nov 18, 2020

I would think the additives would be fine if not exposed to air, water, heat or contaminates.

Steve A W · Nov 18, 2020

When cleaning an elderly uncles basement I found two cases of 30wt oil.
I asked a friend that worked for Union Carbide if it would be good, he
said "How long was it in the ground before they put it in the can?"
Nuff said.

Stephen Newell · Nov 18, 2020

The container would go bad and leak the oil out before the oil goes bad.

flying belgian · Nov 18, 2020

I would not call 3 yrs. "old oil" 60 yrs. ago Pa put different viscosity oils in some glass baby food jars just to see how each one acted going from 90 degree summer to -20 winter. Those jars are still on a shelf out in the shed. Just about a month ago I happened to be walking by them and picked each one up and tipped it on its side and back. No sediment on the bottom. No fog, no nothing. Looked just like it was put in there yesterday.

funky_g00 · Nov 18, 2020

I have probably 60+ year old engine oil in my garden tractors right now. All "new" oil out of old cardboard quart cans, Been using it for 10 years now with no ill effects. I think you will be fine using 3 year old oil.

jimg.allentown · Nov 18, 2020

Needless to say, 20 weight non-detergent oil has limited uses. I would hesitate to use it in an engine, but it
should be fine as hydraulic oil or transmission oil.

As another poster said - how long was it in the ground?

SVcummins · Nov 18, 2020

Shake it or stir it a bit if you are concerned about the Separation

Texasmark1 · Nov 19, 2020

I have had new crankcase oil sit for years and have seen minor additive deposits on the bottom, but not in every case. I had oil I drained out of a Ford diesel, typical diesel black, that I had sitting in a covered plastic 10 quart, pan type container, give or take on the size. Years later I happened upon that container and the oil was petroleum colored clear with the black sludge on the bottom. I'd suppose additives were part of that.

Old oil

Old560

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rustred

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fixerupper

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Steve in IL

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pete 23

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Russ from MN

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David G

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Steve A W

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Stephen Newell

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flying belgian

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funky_g00

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jimg.allentown

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SVcummins

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Texasmark1

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