Old 15W-40 oil

[Jay Liedman]

I have a 5 gallon can of 15W-40 diesel oil that has been in my shop for a long time--perhaps 20 years. I was pouring some out tonight to top off the oil in my IH 1206, and noticed there were some globs of stuff about the consistency of snot in it. Has anyone encountered this before? If I ran it through a screen, would it still be OK to use?

 

[560Dennis]

Yup ! I noticed something similar like that in my old five gallon bucket of IHC oil from the 70 ‘s . I didn’t use other than on the chains of implements. But didn’t have forums then couldn’t ask .
Good question though !

 

[MARK ROBKE]

In my humble opinion, I would not use it in an engine that I cared about. I tend to believe the additives, etc., have broken down. Mark.

 

[ss55]

I have a 5 gallon can of 15W-40 diesel oil that has been in my shop for a long time--perhaps 20 years. I was pouring some out tonight to top off the oil in my IH 1206, and noticed there were some globs of stuff about the consistency of snot in it. Has anyone encountered this before? If I ran it through a screen, would it still be OK to use?

Google: shelf life of engine oil, opinions are varied even among oil manufacturers. Some say five years for conventional oil and seven to eight for synthetic if sealed. Others say infinite life if sealed and you shake the container well before using ( yikes ).

IMHO for an expensive engine like a 1206 I would use fresh oil just the for the peace of mind. Maybe use up the old stuff in a worn oil-burning engine or a lightly worked parade tractor.

 

[da.bees]

It's illegal to pour it on ground so I'll take it off your hands for $20.

 

[rick n ohio]

I have a 5 gallon can of 15W-40 diesel oil that has been in my shop for a long time--perhaps 20 years. I was pouring some out tonight to top off the oil in my IH 1206, and noticed there were some globs of stuff about the consistency of snot in it. Has anyone encountered this before? If I ran it through a screen, would it still be OK

I have a 5 gallon can of 15W-40 diesel oil that has been in my shop for a long time--perhaps 20 years. I was pouring some out tonight to top off the oil in my IH 1206, and noticed there were some globs of stuff about the consistency of snot in it. Has anyone encountered this before? If I ran it through a screen, would it still be OK to use?

I definitely wouldn't chance it the cost of new oil is way cheaper than a engine rebuild.

 

[fusion1]

Take to a shop that has a waste oil burner they will take it .
I am sure it will burn good .

 

[INCase]

as others mentioned. i would NOT put it in an engine even strained.

it might be ok for bar oil if you strain it or use it in an oil can (squirt) or oil up the plows when you're done.

 

[Mule Meat]

The snot may be additives that was put into the oil. Zinc, copper and such.

Could use a drill powered paint mixer to stir the oil to see if the snot will dissolve. If the API rating on the oil does not meet or exceed the engines oil rating. I would not use it for engine oil.

 

[DanielW]

I've also seen exactly what you describe in old oil. When my grandfather died the fuel shed and other barns were loaded with partial pails, jugs, and barrels of what once was new oil. We're still working through some of it, and much of it has those snotty globules. I always seem to find a use for it: Bar oil in a chainsaw (if you have saws where you can crank up the oil pump output to throw out lots of oil). Stick it in an old paint/undercoating gun to use as a crude rustproofing for some old beater vehicles. Use it to fill up all your oil cans and cutting-oil containers at the lathe/mill/drill-press. Keep a quart can with you when cutting hay to drizzle a little over the sickle bar every few acres to help keep things lubed and reduce wear. Roller chain lube, Sawmill carriage lube, babbitt oil, equipment rustproofing at the end of the season, rot protection paint for fence posts, etc., etc...

Lots of good uses for it. I probably wouldn't run it in an engine though. Probably not going to cause too much harm for just topping off your engine - maybe it just absorbed some moisture over the years and it'll boil out once it gets up to temperature. But I'd err on the side of caution and find another use for it.