Does oil have a use-by date?

[chuckle-bus-tom]

Cleared out and demolished an old shed today and amongst other goodies I was given an unopened tin of BP 20w50 oil that was "at least 20 years old", according to the client. It's nice and clear, but does it go off?

Even if I have to tip it away, the tin will sell for a score at least



Now, I'm off to sniff my newly acquired quart of creosote

[kevtherev]

no it hasn't

[ninja.turtle007]

It's been under the ground for a lot longer than 20 years!!

[billybigspud]

It's been under the ground for a lot longer than 20 years!!

i didnt even think of that

[chuckle-bus-tom]

Obviously!

I just didn't know if it corroded the tin, or oxidised, or had any added stuff that could go bad.

Cheers guys!

[kevtherev]

Well used oil will damage an engine if left sat in an engine for a few years, it turns acidic.

[Aidan]

All oils are blends of oils and chemicals and as such they have a shelf life, 2-3 years, especially if stored in non ideal conditions like in the sun in the window of a shop/garage etc....VW quantum oil is date stamped, at least on the outer boxes
that's why I recommend changing the gearbox oil every 2-3 years max, if it breaks down in a sealed container over time then what's it going to do in a gearbox/engine in use ?; again that's why you should change the engine oil regularly regardless of mileage, any oil engineer will tell you that after 3000 miles even your expensive Mobil1 stuff has about as much protective qualities as the £5 stuff from Aldi and lots of expensive cars like porsches are suffering engine issues in part due to high mileage service intervals (12,000 miles etc) but the vehicles only do a couple of thousand a year so are not being serviced except every few years which is not what the manufacturers intended

[chuckle-bus-tom]

Think I'll sell it as a 'decorative' item at an air-cool orientated show. It sat in a shed for all that time, subjected to all seasons of temperature and moisture. No way am I putting that in either of my wagons!

Thanks all.