Does Engine Oil Keep?

[punkypossum]

Clue is in the question, had my scooter on SORN for about 3 years, now putting it back on the road for various reasons, got a bottle of 2 stroke engine oil that's nearly full but about 4 years old. Does this stuff keep or am I better off buying a new one?

 

[longers]

Mix it with creosote and paint your fence. Favourite top tip of an old colleague, he'd try and get it into any conversation he could.
Not sure if they still sell creosote though.

 

[fossyant]

Engine oil is fine, 2 stroke....hmmm as it's a mix....just get new.

 

[punkypossum]

Had a feeling you might say that, suppose I better get myself a new bottle (and a fence to use up the old one)

 

[lukesdad]

Mix it with creosote and paint your fence. Favourite top tip of an old colleague, he'd try and get it into any conversation he could.
Not sure if they still sell creosote though.

NOt sposed to but you can stiil get it if u know where to look. Wilkos do a substitute not ery good.

 

[Joe24]

I know petrol can go off after a long time, don't know about oil though - sorry. You'll only need a small bottle anyways for a ped, better to get a new one imo.

On some site i went on about servicing petrol lawn mowers, they say to just have enough petrol to last 3 months, because after that it goes stale
**** that, my little can of it lasts a year or more, i dont see any ill effects of using it then either.

 

[MGBLemonrider]

The oil in the bottle should be fine.
Your gearbox oil might benefit from a change depending on total mileage and if a regular service item, some are effectively seal for life.
If you had a four stroke I'd recommend an engine oil change, but as you don't.
The oil in question is relatively cheap so any doubts change it.
I'd expect you'd have more problems from oil seals that have dried out, especially fork seals unless you've got leading link forks, dependant on how it's been stored.

 

[Globalti]

Even if oil does oxidise, with the bottle being nearly full there wouldn't have been much oxygen available in the air space so I'd go ahead and use it.

 

[gbb]

I was always told that storage of opened containers 'could' lead to moisture getting in and degrading the oil.
I think it would be extreme for this to happen, but it's a possibility.

Oil should store unopened for several years.

For the sake of a few quid, i think i'd replace it anyway

 

[Fab Foodie]

they say to just have enough petrol to last 3 months, because after that it goes stale
.

Yeah, but it's still drinkable, right?

 

[Joe24]

Yeah, but it's still drinkable, right?

Yeh, ive tasted it and smelt it when its new and when its old, not much difference.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Yeh, ive tasted it and smelt it when its new and when its old, not much difference.

OK... and what about the petrol?







Boom-tish

 

[punkypossum]

Well, I've treated him to a new bottle - and it's strawberry scented as well!

Wonder if it will make my exhaust fumes smell of strawberries...

 

[02GF74]

you'd have though oil that has been underground for millions of years would last a few months in a bottle?

 

[threebikesmcginty]

you'd have though oil that has been underground for millions of years would last a few months in a bottle?

Yes, it's like bottled water with a sell-by date. Stuff's been around since the dawn of time!!!