Does oil expire?

Pugsly · 11-24-2004, 07:16 PM

how long can you hold onto an unopened bottle of motor oil? also, if i have a half bottle (mine is almost exactly 6.5 quarts so it leaves me exactly 13 quarts for 2 oil changes) how long will it be expected to be good.

does it only degrad after being heated or simply being exposed to air?

SUBTITAN · 11-24-2004, 07:22 PM

It will absorb moisture once it is opened. I have had no problems adding up to a half quart after a month in my older car. (IMO) I wouldn't go any longer than that.

Pugsly · 11-30-2004, 06:12 AM

what is the "self life" of an unopened quart?

cgfitzp · 11-30-2004, 10:10 AM

Oil gets dirty and and the additives brake down and you need to change the oil.

An unopened contailer should store the oil until the container fails.

Any moisture which might get into an opened partially filled container which is capped will vaporize to steam and escape to the atmosphere the first time the truck reaches operating temperature. Water condensation commonly occurs in the normal startup shut down cycles while driving.

Bama334 · 11-30-2004, 10:12 AM

Don't know the answer to that but, I saw some oil at Sam's the other day with a mail in offer that expired two years ago! I think shelf life is a military thing if we haven't used it by the expiration date we can see if there is an update extending the shelf life if not we dispose of it. I will say that Aircraft oil (military) is only packaged in metal cans that is to prevent moisture. I contacted the item manager about this practice because the cans get really beat up in shipping, he stated plastic bottles still allow more moisture and thats the reason for metal cans. Might be that plastic bottles can't take the damage and will crack and seep?

Bama334 · 11-30-2004, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cgfitzp

Oil gets dirty and and the additives brake down and you need to change the oil.

An unopened contailer should store the oil until the container fails.

Any moisture which might get into an opened partially filled container which is capped will vaporize to steam and escape to the atmosphere the first time the truck reaches operating temperature. Water condensation commonly occurs in the normal startup shut down cycles while driving.

Same here, you come in at night a shut her down then the temp falls outside and some moisture has to collect in the inside the engine compartment. Heat takes care of the moisture in the crankcase.

Pugsly · 11-30-2004, 11:02 AM

the only reason i ask is my amsoil prefered customer expires at the end of december and was going to order a few cases of oil before hand and wondered how long they might last in the case. might not get to the last 6.5 quarts for a year or later.

Talkinghorse · 03-24-2005, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pugsly

the only reason i ask is my amsoil prefered customer expires at the end of december and was going to order a few cases of oil before hand and wondered how long they might last in the case. might not get to the last 6.5 quarts for a year or later.

I realize your decision point has passed, but for others who may have the same question the shelf life of AMSOIL is indefinite. With that said, I would not recommend putting 10 year-old oil in a new engine as the formulations have been updated. However, you will definitely not have a problem using AMSOIL that has been on the shelf for a year.

Next time you need oil, let me know. I can get if for you at the same Dealer/Preferred Customer price, without having you sign up as a member...

virus · 03-27-2005, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talkinghorse

I realize your decision point has passed, but for others who may have the same question the shelf life of AMSOIL is indefinite. With that said, I would not recommend putting 10 year-old oil in a new engine as the formulations have been updated. However, you will definitely not have a problem using AMSOIL that has been on the shelf for a year.

Next time you need oil, let me know. I can get if for you at the same Dealer/Preferred Customer price, without having you sign up as a member...

I can vouche for Talkinghorse. He is a very well respected dealer on maxima.org.

Talkinghorse · 04-16-2005, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by virus

I can vouche for Talkinghorse. He is a very well respected dealer on maxima.org.

Thanks, "V"... As you know, I am a true believer in the products and offer the best deal anywhere. I've been using synthetics since the mid 70's and came back to AMSOIL in the early 80's...the company and the products are phenomenal. I give our folks personalized attention and honest advice without any pressure or sales BS.

I am currently posting ads offering special deals to our members in the Parts and Accessories and Buy/Sell sections of this site. I sell a lot of this oil (last month over $4,000) and many of my customers have some very expensive hardware....cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, commercial equipment, etc. The prices I offer are my true cost, so unless another dealer is taking a loss on the products they can't beat the price. I have an essentially 100% retention rate in customers and downline dealers...many folks have been coming back to me for years...this attests to both the quality of the products and the service I provide.

Since I am relatively new and unknown to members of Titantalk, I recommend our members check out maxima.org to verify my track record. My name has also appeared on several BMW sites with strong recommendations from their members.

Thanks again for the positive words...

Bayou Titan · 04-16-2005, 02:15 PM

When you open a quart of oil it gets exposed to a minute amout of water vapor. So what? Your engine gulps in air (which is necessary for combustion) at a rate that is almost unbelievable. What is a major component of air? Water.

I wouldn't worry too much about opened and resealed bottles of oil. Your engine is exposed to much more air just sitting in the driveway.