shelf life
- Thread starter gunnut
- Start date
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Jack Klarich
Guest
In general, liquid lubricants(not greases) will remain intact for a number of years. The main factor affecting the life of the oil is the storage condition for the products. Exposure to extreme temperature changes, and moisture will reduce the shelf life of the lubricants.
It is important to note that engine/motor oil, and transmission oil industry performance requirements are changing rapidly. The product may be stored three years and still be intact, but may not meet the latest specifications for your vehicle.
As a general rule, the simpler the oil formulation, the longer the shelf life. The following is a guideline under protected conditions:
Product Shelf Life
Base Oils, Process Oils Three(3) years
Hydraulic Oils, Compressor Oils, General Purpose Lubricating Oils Two(2) years
Engine Oils and Transmission Oils Three(3) years
Industrial and Automotive Gear Oils Two(2) years
Metal Working and Cutting Oils One(1) year
Greases Two(2) years
The following are signs of storage instability in a lubricant:
Settling out of the additives as a gel or sticky liquid
Floc or haze
Precipitates/solid material
Color change or haziness
Water contamination in a lubricant can be detected by a "milky" appearance of the product.
A sign of grease deterioration is the separation of the liquid oil from the so
It is important to note that engine/motor oil, and transmission oil industry performance requirements are changing rapidly. The product may be stored three years and still be intact, but may not meet the latest specifications for your vehicle.
As a general rule, the simpler the oil formulation, the longer the shelf life. The following is a guideline under protected conditions:
Product Shelf Life
Base Oils, Process Oils Three(3) years
Hydraulic Oils, Compressor Oils, General Purpose Lubricating Oils Two(2) years
Engine Oils and Transmission Oils Three(3) years
Industrial and Automotive Gear Oils Two(2) years
Metal Working and Cutting Oils One(1) year
Greases Two(2) years
The following are signs of storage instability in a lubricant:
Settling out of the additives as a gel or sticky liquid
Floc or haze
Precipitates/solid material
Color change or haziness
Water contamination in a lubricant can be detected by a "milky" appearance of the product.
A sign of grease deterioration is the separation of the liquid oil from the so
Scrounger
Active Member
I've seen so many comments on shelf life and oil in general over the years and except for a few brands it has never seemed to be an issue at all. Even third parties have looked at shelf life statements by manufacturers and could not find a reason that they had one. Most of the claims have been by boutique oil manufacturers. Who knows, maybe its a desire to sell more oil or put a bit of doubt in the buyer that he needs 'fresh oil'.
Blackstone Labs did the oldest test where they tested oils from the 70's and 80's and found them still viable and perfectly usable.
You can read the articles at http://www.blackstone-labs.com/Newsletters/Gas-Diesel/April-1-2012.php
and
http://www.blackstone-labs.com/Newsletters/Gas-Diesel/June-1-2012.php?utm_source=Gas%2FDiesel+List&utm_campaign=50f64859e4-&utm_medium=email
Blackstone Labs did the oldest test where they tested oils from the 70's and 80's and found them still viable and perfectly usable.
You can read the articles at http://www.blackstone-labs.com/Newsletters/Gas-Diesel/April-1-2012.php
and
http://www.blackstone-labs.com/Newsletters/Gas-Diesel/June-1-2012.php?utm_source=Gas%2FDiesel+List&utm_campaign=50f64859e4-&utm_medium=email
