View Poll Results: Would you run expired engine oil
Yes I would use it for 4000 miles
24
77.42%
Yes I would use it for only 1000 miles.
2
6.45%
No, don't run it in your motor.
5
16.13%
Voters: 31. You may not vote on this poll
Engine Oil - Shelf Life
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,255
Likes: 82
From: Brampton Ont.
Engine Oil - Shelf Life
I have about 10 gallons of Castol GTX 20W50 oil that has been sitting int he original container, sealed on a shelf in my garage for about 15 years. I want to put it in my engine that has been sitting for about 26 years and only started twice during that time, last time about 10 years ago.
Would you put it in the motor and run it for less than 1000 miles just to use it up?
Would you put it in the motor and run it for less than 1000 miles just to use it up?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
I don't believe motor oil has a shelf life. I talked to Mobil 1 about this and they responded by saying their synthetic had a 5 year shelf life but they added that they say this only because they improve their oils over time and better oil is generally available. To be sure, I'd check with Castrol.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
As long as the service rating of the oil is sufficient for the engine you should be fine. I'm also assuming the oil has remained sealed and uncontaminated while in storage.
The only real reason why oil would have a shelf life is additive packages change over time to meet new requirements. You don't want to be putting old but still new oil in an engine that requires a higher service rating.
The only real reason why oil would have a shelf life is additive packages change over time to meet new requirements. You don't want to be putting old but still new oil in an engine that requires a higher service rating.
Pro
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 672
Likes: 31
From: Rapid City South Dakota
Motor oils typically get out spec due to changes in viscosity and excessive oxidation, not likely while sitting in a sealed container. I've done oil changes when recommended by oil analysis on all my vehicles for the last ten years, so if you are really worried find a company and send in a sample. The cost is maybe 25 bucks, and that's a lot of oil to toss if you don't really to.
Last edited by lurch59; Aug 2, 2015 at 08:14 PM. Reason: Clarity
Pro
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 672
Likes: 31
From: Rapid City South Dakota
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Pro
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 672
Likes: 31
From: Rapid City South Dakota
Well, a synthetic with a good additive package will go 10 times that long. I know it's traditional to change oil often, but for the most part that's just unnecessary. Please don't take it personal, I'm just trying to save people time and money,
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,255
Likes: 82
From: Brampton Ont.
Thanks everyone for your reply and vote, now to answer a few questions.
The oil is Castrol GTX 20W50 and it is not synthetic. All the oil jugs are sealed container and since I have about 10 containers (10 gallons) and don't want it to get even more older, therefore I thought I would use it for say 1000 miles.
The oil filters that I have are probably the same age and they're either A/C or Fram.
The oil is Castrol GTX 20W50 and it is not synthetic. All the oil jugs are sealed container and since I have about 10 containers (10 gallons) and don't want it to get even more older, therefore I thought I would use it for say 1000 miles.
The oil filters that I have are probably the same age and they're either A/C or Fram.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,721
Likes: 108
From: Canada
Hi Frank, sorry that I missed you while at Les' the other month. Oil should be fine as it is still sealed. I would definitely get rid of the FRAM filters as they have been proven to be not great when new. AC I believe are WIX filters but to be honest I would probably just go with new filters anyway to be safe.
Hope you survived the storm last night, I have some repairs to do to one of our gazebos.
Hope you survived the storm last night, I have some repairs to do to one of our gazebos.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 113
From: Michigan
Many things that don't expire have a date because it's required or to help rotate stock. Email or call Castrol they will have the definite answer. I was on the Valvoline website not long ago because I bought several jugs when on sale and forgot about them. Their FAQ says the oil will never expire, but additives may settle and to shake it well before use.
Another vote for WIX filters.
Another vote for WIX filters.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 511
Likes: 66
From: Timnath, CO
Many things that don't expire have a date because it's required or to help rotate stock. Email or call Castrol they will have the definite answer. I was on the Valvoline website not long ago because I bought several jugs when on sale and forgot about them. Their FAQ says the oil will never expire, but additives may settle and to shake it well before use.
Another vote for WIX filters.
Another vote for WIX filters.
As Boot says, be sure to shake it up. The additives can drop out although less likely with this product which likely has some cheaper, more polar Group I base oil in it.
