How long can Mobil 1 sit?
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Millington Mi
How long can Mobil 1 sit?
I plan on putting my car up for the winter soon. I may even leave it up next summer, so the car might sit for 18 months or so.
I'm planning on changing the oil before I put it away, the current oil is about 1year and 3k miles old.
If I leave my car sit that long will I have to change the oil again when I get it back out? Or, should I just leave the oil I have in it for storage and change is fresh when I get out?
I'm planning on changing the oil before I put it away, the current oil is about 1year and 3k miles old.
If I leave my car sit that long will I have to change the oil again when I get it back out? Or, should I just leave the oil I have in it for storage and change is fresh when I get out?
Pro
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From: Tucker GA
Re: How long can Mobil 1 sit? (Bradley33)
I don't want to start another long discussion on oil but if you think the only use of the oil will be for storage would dino oil be better for the car for storage?
SInce it is just sitting anyway would the seals be less affected by the dino oil?
Just a thought. Bob :confused: :skep:
SInce it is just sitting anyway would the seals be less affected by the dino oil?
Just a thought. Bob :confused: :skep:
Le Mans Master
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From: Boston
Re: How long can Mobil 1 sit? (Bradley33)
There's no need to change the oil before storage. In fact my grandfather use to drain all fluids before a long storage. He had a 62 in storage for 16years this way and it was looking as good when it came out as it did when it went in. :cool:
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Re: How long can Mobil 1 sit? (Bradley33)
It would be better to change it when you take it out next summer.
You should at least, if youre gonna leave it up, drive the gas tank empty next summer. Then put it back up if you wish.
You should at least, if youre gonna leave it up, drive the gas tank empty next summer. Then put it back up if you wish.
Le Mans Master
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From: Manassas VA
Re: How long can Mobil 1 sit? (vader86)
Im going to go against the grain on this one. I say change it before storage. Why? To get rid of the contanimates in the oil that are there from 3000 miles of use. A lot of these are corosive. The gas in the tank is a different matter. Not sure how long gas can be stored with additives such as sta-bil in it. But assuming you can go the 18 months with it I would fill the tank up or completely empty it. If the vette is sitting in a unheated garage, and has some gas in the tank, but not full, you stand a good chance of getting condensation inside of the tank.
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Re: How long can Mobil 1 sit? (93 ragtop)
:iagree:
All the contaminents in the oil need to be removed. Change the oil now and then store it. There shouldn't be any need to change it again because it won't have had time to build up the contaminents.
All the contaminents in the oil need to be removed. Change the oil now and then store it. There shouldn't be any need to change it again because it won't have had time to build up the contaminents.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Loudon, TN
Re: How long can Mobil 1 sit? (Nathan Plemons)
:iagree:
All the contaminents in the oil need to be removed. Change the oil now and then store it. There shouldn't be any need to change it again because it won't have had time to build up the contaminents.
All the contaminents in the oil need to be removed. Change the oil now and then store it. There shouldn't be any need to change it again because it won't have had time to build up the contaminents.
That is how lawn mower mfg recommend storing one over the winter. There is all kinds of crud and acids in that oil. When you park it for the winter the engine has that contaminated oil in all the oil journals, bearing surfaces, etc. Over an extended time that stuff will damage metal surfaces and cause unnecessary wear. Change the oil, run it for a few minutes to get fresh oil everywhere, shut it off and leave it.
Racer
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From: Bellingham WA
Im going to go against the grain on this one. I say change it before storage. Why? To get rid of the contanimates in the oil that are there from 3000 miles of use. A lot of these are corosive. The gas in the tank is a different matter. Not sure how long gas can be stored with additives such as sta-bil in it. But assuming you can go the 18 months with it I would fill the tank up or completely empty it. If the vette is sitting in a unheated garage, and has some gas in the tank, but not full, you stand a good chance of getting condensation inside of the tank.
Melting Slicks
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From: Sacramento California
Change the oil before putting it in storage, to remove the corrosive & acidic contaminates in the used oil. Yes motor oil contains neutralizers to counter effect acids and other harmful things, but motor oil is very cheap. Also you don't want that bad stuff sitting in your engine and not giving the oil good heating and circulation so it can do its job. Change it again when you take it out of storage, just because the oil has been sitting in an open system for so long (not in a sealed & clean container). 1 year or 7500 miles, whichever comes first.
Think how much trouble you are taking to store it properly, and possibly how much you will pay for storage if it's not on your property (not sure of your situation). Regardless, changing the oil is a no-brainer.
New oil in the jug, even unsealed jugs with tight lids, will keep for years and still be good. Some argue that without being shaken or agitated, some additives will settle out if it sits completely still for years. I don't know about this. I do buy extra oil when it's on sale and sometimes it sits for a year or more, never had an issue.
Think how much trouble you are taking to store it properly, and possibly how much you will pay for storage if it's not on your property (not sure of your situation). Regardless, changing the oil is a no-brainer.
New oil in the jug, even unsealed jugs with tight lids, will keep for years and still be good. Some argue that without being shaken or agitated, some additives will settle out if it sits completely still for years. I don't know about this. I do buy extra oil when it's on sale and sometimes it sits for a year or more, never had an issue.
Melting Slicks
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From: Saskatoon Sask.
I agree, you want uncontaminated oil in the engine for storage. Also be sure the engine has been run at least 15-20 minutes with oil at full temperature immediately before last shutdown. Also, in addition to full tank with "Sta-Bil" added, it would be really good to use non-ethanol gas for the storage fill, even if you can only find it in mid-grade. 10% Ethanol gas gums up terribly in less that 3 months. That will cause more trouble than running a tank of mid grade.
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From: munising MI USA
I agree. Id change it before then when I took it out id run that oil for about 500-1000 miles and change it out.
Im going to go against the grain on this one. I say change it before storage. Why? To get rid of the contanimates in the oil that are there from 3000 miles of use. A lot of these are corosive. The gas in the tank is a different matter. Not sure how long gas can be stored with additives such as sta-bil in it. But assuming you can go the 18 months with it I would fill the tank up or completely empty it. If the vette is sitting in a unheated garage, and has some gas in the tank, but not full, you stand a good chance of getting condensation inside of the tank.