Engine oil life expectancy

[AB]

Does anyone know how long engine oil lasts for when stored in a drum.

Let's say I wanted to buy 200 litres of dello 400, how long can you store it for?

The only thing I know is that heat would reduce the quality of the oil as such but if stored in a cool area how long do you get?

[Silver]

This sounds so weird as to be almost unbelievable, however, here goes............... I was told that part of the reason that oil needs to be changed at 6 months, regardless of ks, was that microbes live in it, and in the process of doing so, make it more acidic. This attacks bearings etc. Now, how bugs live in, and eat, oil that is engine hot is beyond me, but then we know bugs live on those deep ocean vents etc, so I guess it is possible. Maybe. I reckon more likely the combustion by products build up and attack components.

Whether they are present in new oil I couldn't say. The other thing to think about is whether the various components settle out over time. I always give my 2 stroke oil bottles a shake before using them.

That said, I have never noticed a best before date on oil - maybe that only applies to food?

Here is what Mobil have to say about shelf life of their oil

http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=shelf%20life%20of%20engine%20oil&source=web&cd=9&ved=0CHkQFjAI&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mobiloil.com%2FUSA-English%2FMotorOil%2FCar_Care%2FAskMobil%2FShelf_L ife_Collection.aspx&ei=OKb9Tuf_C4GViQfoza32DQ&usg=AFQjCNFxn5gikrLtCC2oC9k0VwmbDbbpjw

[AB]

That does sound weird mate...lol

I was always under the impression that the heat from the engine over time causes the minerals in the oil to breakdown, etc.

[AB]

Thanks mate, so mobil are saying "up to 5 years"

[Silver]

Thanks mate, so mobil are saying "up to 5 years"

Try this from Delo - doesn't help :-)

http://www.deloperformance.com/expert-knowledge/best_practices.aspx

Yeah, I don't believe the microbe bit either. I think. but I still change at 6 months :-). I guess the thing to take into account is that Mobil were giving advice where the oil is stored in the US where the temps can get pretty cold.

200 litres is about 12 oil changes for a TD42? On the 6 month interval that is 6 years, less if you do enough Ks.

[Maxhead]

Did you know that canola oil can be stored up to 12 months.......oh whoops wrong type of oil...LOLOLOLOLOLOLO

Anyway this looks like a good read: http://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/172/lubricant-storage-life

[Sir Roofy]

AB A DRUM OF 200L IS AN OVER KILL IN YOUR CASE FOR WHAT YOU NEED

20L WOULD BE MORE ACCEPTABLE AND BE IN THE TIME LINE OF USEAGE

WHEN YOU THINK OF IT WHY ISNT THERE MICRO BUGS IN OIL WETHER MAN MADE OR
RAW OIL OUT OF THE WELLS,ANY WAY IF YOU CHANGE YOUR OIL EVERY FIVE OR TEN THOUSAND Ks
LIFE SHOULD BE GOOD

[growler2058]

Microbes/bacteria whatever ya wanna call em are also found in diesel fuel so i find it plausible (mythbusters comment hahaha) to get the lil buggers in oil

[DX grunt]

AB A DRUM OF 200L IS AN OVER KILL IN YOUR CASE FOR WHAT YOU NEED

20L WOULD BE MORE ACCEPTABLE AND BE IN THE TIME LINE OF USEAGE

WHEN YOU THINK OF IT WHY ISNT THERE MICRO BUGS IN OIL WETHER MAN MADE OR
RAW OIL OUT OF THE WELLS,ANY WAY IF YOU CHANGE YOUR OIL EVERY FIVE OR TEN THOUSAND Ks
LIFE SHOULD BE GOOD

Stop yelling. I can hear you quite well from WA.

LOLOLOL. Just kidding, Roofy. haha

[Sir Roofy]

stop yelling. I can hear you quite well from wa.

Lololol. Just kidding, roofy. Haha

sorry grunt but the words are to small the other way

[the evil twin]

Ironic isn't it...

Couple of million years for Mum nature to make... another couple of million hiding underground... we get it out and refine it and it goes "off" in a couple of years unless we use it to stuff the ecology

Them microbes is tough buggers eh, they even live in superheated water and volcanic vents so drums of oil and fuel would be a Holiday Resort.

I remember from my RAAF days we were constantly testing/inspecting fuel tanks for "critters" as they thrive in the Aviation Kerosene as well.