New old oil?

[dobbslc]

I've got 4 litres of Shell 10/40 semi synthetic oil that has been opened but not used, it's been in my workshop loft for 5 years but can I still use it? Does it go off?
Pretty sure it was me that opened it to top something up donkeys ago.

I need to save money due to the KwarTruss incident and don't like wasting stuff!

 

[cheb]

What are you thinking of using it in, a Colchester or a Harrison?

 

[brightspark]

I've got 4 litres of Shell 10/40 semi synthetic oil that has been opened but not used, it's been in my workshop loft for 5 years but can I still use it? Does it go off?
Pretty sure it was me that opened it to top something up donkeys ago.
View attachment 373674
I need to save money due to the KwarTruss incident and don't like wasting stuff!

its been in the ground millions of years get it used if it was 20 years old its still ok

 

[Onthespotwelding]

It will be fine to use don’t worry

Just don’t try and cook chips with it or dress a salad

 

[dobbslc]

What are you thinking of using it in, a Colchester or a Harrison?

Similar

 

[zzr1200]

As long as the caps been on it, use it.

The only oil based old thing I wouldn't use is brake fluid, but that's probably not oil based these days...

 

[tom2207]

its been in the ground millions of years get it used if it was 20 years old its still ok

half of it has ,,, lol ,, the other halfs plastic ...


id certainly be using it.

 

[Ruffian]

As long as the caps been on it, use it.

The only oil based old thing I wouldn't use is brake fluid, but that's probably not oil based these days...

If its still sealed then still use that as can't absorb any more water content besides the tiny bit in the air in the top of the bottle.

Oil same if sealed then use it. If its not then I'll write on it when opened and circa 12/18months later bin it.

 

[frank horton]

It'll be OK but non descript oil I use in an old lawn mower...

 

[Farside]

I've bought various oils in the past decade when I've seen them on offer, and have no qualms about using any of the oldest stuff on the shelf.

 

[Dieselman 63]

I bought a shed clearance earlier this year, they had about 6 bottles of unused Castrol in there, 4l each. Still got some, just been using it and the cars are running as well as ever. Was a great find.

 

[Olderisbetter]

I have quite a few 10/40 tubs of mineral oil out of date but its sealed and i use them for old engines never had an issue

 

[dobbslc]

I'll have to find the time to do a service now! Needs the carbs balancing, TPS checking and maybe check the valves if I'm really getting into it!

 

[magnet]

I've just scored half a gallon of lovely light sewing machine oil. The bean counters at work deemed it old and unusable it will last me for years. It as good as the day it was made.

 

[Robotstar5]

I've just scored half a gallon of lovely light sewing machine oil. The bean counters at work deemed it old and unusable it will last me for years. It as good as the day it was made.

I'll raise you a full gallon tin of 3 in 1 oil I found while clearing my dads shed

 

[charlysays]

As long as the caps been on it, use it.

The only oil based old thing I wouldn't use is brake fluid, but that's probably not oil based these days...

Best bet is to buy a conductivity type brake fluid tester. Tells you accurately when to replace brakefluid, whether it's in your car or in an opened bottle in your garage.

 

[jsf55]

Oil been in the ground for 10,000 of years .... goes off on the shelf

 

[brightspark]

Best bet is to buy a conductivity type brake fluid tester. Tells you accurately when to replace brakefluid, whether it's in your car or in an opened bottle in your garage.

never changed the oil in any of my vehicle brake systems unless there was a leak.the last one had done 115ooo miles and still past its test

 

[More Amps]

Everything (if it has/had a shelf life) these days, must be shown and likely a ‘use by once opened’ and directions on ow to be stored.

For instance, a bag of sugar won’t have a ‘best before’ or ‘use by‘ date.

Out of curiosity I just checked three bags of sugar in the kitchen - one said "sugar is a natural preservative and will keep indefinitely if kept cool, dry and dark" (as I expected), one had no information/storage advice and one had a use by date, approx two years to go (Tate & Lyle icing sugar) and I think I bought it a couple of months ago. Not sure this proves anything other than I'm bored!

 

[Dieselman 63]

Out of curiosity I just checked three bags of sugar in the kitchen - one said "sugar is a natural preservative and will keep indefinitely if kept cool, dry and dark" (as I expected), one had no information/storage advice and one had a use by date, approx two years to go (Tate & Lyle icing sugar) and I think I bought it a couple of months ago. Not sure this proves anything other than I'm bored!

it’s sometimes to do with the degradation of the packaging rather than the product itself.