A local guy has several cases of AeroSHell 100W he wants to sell. My question is, how long of shelf life does oil have? Sure it's from dead Dinos that have been in the earth for time past, but is there any data on how old sealed oil lasts.

I know I have had cases sitting for 2+ years before using it, but this oils may be 5-10 years old. Half price of new so wondering if it is worth picking up.
Thanks

Cool, dry place, unopened out of the sun? Forever. Unfortunately though these plastic bottles don't have the foil seals under the caps to completely seal from moisture entry.

This oil has been sitting in the back of a hangar. At $3.40/quart, I think I will snag it. 20-25 hrs. per change a guy can go through a couple of cases pretty quickly. The new owner (my son) of the plane has plans of building time quickly so I'm thinking it's going to reduce his operating costs a bit.

I think I would do the same

WWhunter wrote:This oil has been sitting in the back of a hangar. At $3.40/quart, I think I will snag it. 20-25 hrs. per change a guy can go through a couple of cases pretty quickly. The new owner (my son) of the plane has plans of building time quickly so I'm thinking it's going to reduce his operating costs a bit.

I would run it for sure Keith.

I hate to break this to you. That oil is no good anymore. Fortunately, I run a "useless aviation oil reclamation project." Send that useless oil to....

Seriously though, I'm not understanding the issue. If it's in a plastic bottle, even if the seal is imperfect, even if a bit of water condenses, would't it just boil off when you run the engine. Doesn't a tiny amount of water condense in the crankcase when the airplane is in the hangar? Is oxidation even an issue? The surface area of the oil in the bottle is minuscule compared to in a crankcase. Am I just not seeing a forest for the trees?

I’d really like to know how the detergents and additives are made. What is the chemistry at the molecule level? Long time ago in Band Camp.... was the foreman for the sole Diamond Reo dealer on the west coast. The boss Bryce Morris, he was ancient then... this guy was an a outstanding machinist, mechanic, millwright...the list goes on. He is/was an active member of the Association of Automotive Engineers. He joined back in the early thirty’s ... He had the Packard and Studebaker dearly ship in Fresno as well..He built a 1934 Indy car nearly from scratch that I was lucky enough to restore back in 1986. Johnson sea horse apposing 4 cylinder case, with a rotary valve induction system. Harley Davidson side car springs and an Eaton ring and pinion. This guy made everything else. Sand-cast the rods, pistons, differential housing, and a bunch of other items. They don’t build Guy’s like this anymore. Anyway....long story shortened. He was dead set against multiviscosity motor oils. You buy a quart of oil and get a cup! The rest is all additives. In short...if it’s straight mineral oil? How did Yoda say it? “Good it be”

Thanks guys for the anecdotal laughs! But to be honest, that was my opinion also. Oil is oil, really don't see how it can get 'old', Granted, I have seen additives settle to the bottom of containers, but shake the crap out of it and pout it in, at least it is what I have done with auto and tractor oils. I see this especially in bulk containers I but for equipment..