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Old 08-27-2009, 09:07 PM   #1
Kaotic Lazagna
 
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Question About Engine Oil

Okay, I changed my oil and had a little left over. So I decided to bring it up to my room and put it in the corner only to see that I have about a quart of Amsoil in a gallon container sitting there. Now my question is, this oil has probably been sitting in that corner of my closet for almost a year (my last oil change was October 28, 2008 (been running Amsoil with the EA oil filter), and the bottle has been opened (but closed tight, but not taped around). Can I still use this oil? It does not appear to have condensation on the walls of the bottle. Or is it useless now? I'm not running an EA filter this time around, so I'll be changing my oil filter (WIX) at the next 5k miles. And since there will be some oil taken out with the filter, I'm going to need to put some in. So it would be nice if I didn't have to buy another quart of Amsoil since I have some already. TIA.
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Old 08-27-2009, 09:30 PM   #2
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As long as it still looks exactly the same as it did when you open the bottle, it should be fine. Do a wine-tasting test if you're still not sure

Off-topic: BTW, something just doesn't sound right about not changing the oil for a year. Never heard that before lol
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Old 08-27-2009, 09:39 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna View Post
Can I still use this oil?
Hell no.

Let me rephrase that. If a 5 dollar quart of oil is worth more than a 500 dollar motor to you, then go ahead.
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Old 08-27-2009, 09:54 PM   #4
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Oil has no experation dates on them.

The notion that oil has a short shelf life deals in the chemical changes the oil and aditives can go through once run in an engine.

Oil can be safely stored for a few years provided it is tightly sealed.

When you buy oil in a store do you know how old it is?
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Old 08-27-2009, 10:09 PM   #5
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^Exactly. I've never seen an expiration date, have any of you?
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Old 08-27-2009, 11:21 PM   #6
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You should be FINE Laz, but to be on the safe side, if i were in your shoes, I'd def. get another quart. Btw, you haven't been driving a lot lately huh? I think that's a world record not changing oil for almost over a year, lol....
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Old 08-28-2009, 12:05 AM   #7
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oil change interval was dictated by his oil selection. AMSOIL.....they state you can go longer between intervals....
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Old 08-28-2009, 04:10 AM   #8
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Yes, Amsoil is good for 25k miles or one year. It's almost 10 bucks a quart, but to be on the safe side, I'll just buy another quart.

I'm aware that condensation can mix with the oil, thereby making it not as effective in protecting your engine. I just don't know how to tell if there has been a mix already.
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Old 08-28-2009, 04:10 AM   #9
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Originally Posted by supmet View Post
Hell no.

Let me rephrase that. If a 5 dollar quart of oil is worth more than a 500 dollar motor to you, then go ahead.
I hate wasting stuff, but if it's bad, then I have no choice.
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Old 08-28-2009, 04:16 AM   #10
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Found this online:

"Like I said, I would rather just err on the side of caution. Oil becomes funny smelling when it starts to get old.. doesn't smell sweet anymore."
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Old 08-28-2009, 04:18 AM   #11
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Didn't smell it (I didn't even open it again), but I'll toss it when I get back there.
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Old 08-28-2009, 07:57 AM   #12
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That's silly. Motor oil is good for years in storage, opened or not.

Pour it out if it makes you feel better, but it's your money you're wasting, and there is NOTHING harmful that can result from using it.
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Old 08-28-2009, 08:02 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna View Post
I'm aware that condensation can mix with the oil, thereby making it not as effective in protecting your engine. I just don't know how to tell if there has been a mix already.
Your oil in the engine is exposed heavily to water vapor every time the engine starts up. That moisture evaporates back out of the oil as it gets hot in the running engine, which is why driving lots of short trips that never get the oil fully warmed up is "severe service." The amount of moisture in the air trapped in the oil bottle is small. If it were all condensed in the oil, it wouldn't be a problem after you drove a few miles and warmed up the engine. It would be insignificant compared to the steamy blowby gases in the crankcase anyway. As for detecting water in oil, it makes a milky looking emulsion.
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Old 08-28-2009, 08:15 AM   #14
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Here's something from Amsoil themselves:
https://www.amsoil.com/articlespr/20...tulsarama.aspx

The situation they describe initially is one of gross contamination. Their normal recommendation is toward the end. The biggest concern with using old oil is that oil specifications evolve over time, hopefully for the better.
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Old 08-28-2009, 12:12 PM   #15
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Holy crap YW is becoming a scary place to ask for advice.

Hilton, your link backs up everything I've said. There isn't a timetable on moisture getting in an unsealed container. It could happen the first month, or it could take 20 years. Ya you can get lucky a lot of the time and nothing will happen, but like I said, is ONE quart of oil worth the risk of rebuilding your engine?
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Old 08-28-2009, 12:33 PM   #16
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You're going to have to pour water in that bottle to have a problem with it. Oil is not something that just sucks moisture out of the air, and presumably you've had the cap on the bottle so it's only had the water vapor in the bottle. You're worrying far too much.
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Old 08-28-2009, 05:37 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by supmet View Post
Holy crap YW is becoming a scary place to ask for advice.

Hilton, your link backs up everything I've said. There isn't a timetable on moisture getting in an unsealed container. It could happen the first month, or it could take 20 years. Ya you can get lucky a lot of the time and nothing will happen, but like I said, is ONE quart of oil worth the risk of rebuilding your engine?
when did oil become hygroscopic, like brake fluid?
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Old 08-28-2009, 10:21 PM   #18
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Never has. It's a nonissue.

Back when oil came in cardboard cans with metal ends that you punctured, everybody kept around open cans of oil for topping up. It was a good thing to keep a rag on top to keep dust out of the holes, but if one hadn't been covered you'd just wipe off the top of the can and pour it in. Oil stored that way worked fine.

Over years of standing still, some oil components may gravitationally settle. Giving it a shake's a good idea.
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