Old engine oil - okay to use?

Tafkap · 23 Dec 2008 at 12:08

My car's indicating low engine oil, it takes 5w40, and there's a plastic bottle of it in the shed.

However, it's got the date of 2004 printed on the top and it's been partially used.

Do I need to shell out for whole new bottle or do you reckon I'll be alright? I'd imagine with chemicals they'll have a shelf life mind you.

Also - do you get 5w40 oil for diesels and petrol seperately? I was checking a local petrol station last night and they had loads of it, but every single one was 'Comma Diesel'. Wouldn't like to stick it in a petrol just in case!! Cheers for any advice.

Sone · 23 Dec 2008 at 12:13

diesel oil has differant cleaning agents i believe, A few people use it now and again in petrol engines for a "mini-flush".

I personally wouldent use that oil but i can't see it doing any harm!

Defcon5 · 23 Dec 2008 at 12:20

What car is it? Even the most expensive oil is about 13 quid a litre, may as well just get some fresh

Tafkap · 23 Dec 2008 at 12:47

It's a Pug 307cc.

Stonedofmoo · 23 Dec 2008 at 12:54

I'd just use the oil you have

blueboy2001 · 23 Dec 2008 at 13:14

If it's mineral oil it's spent millions of years underground. A few years in a shed won't do it any harm!

Finglonga · 23 Dec 2008 at 13:19

blueboy2001 said:
If it's mineral oil it's spent millions of years underground. A few years in a shed won't do it any harm!

Dogbreath · 23 Dec 2008 at 13:22

If it's the correct viscosity and specification for your engine and it's clean then it should be fine.

Tafkap · 23 Dec 2008 at 13:55

Thanks - I'll go for it then and await the results!

Participant · 23 Dec 2008 at 14:00

Tafkap said:
It's a Pug 307cc.

Ok so using fresh oil is the least of your worries

.

Tafkap · 23 Dec 2008 at 14:07

Says the poster who displays his e-peen. :-)

Simon · 23 Dec 2008 at 16:35

blueboy2001 said:
If it's mineral oil it's spent millions of years underground. A few years in a shed won't do it any harm!

Mineral engine oil is nothing like crude oil. Despite what oilman may tell you, mineral oil is still a highly refined product.

Not that it matters anyway as it's the additives in the oil that may interact over that sort of timescale. However if the oil is still clear and nothing has precipitated out then it will be fine.

mejinks · 23 Dec 2008 at 23:20

Simon said:
Mineral engine oil is nothing like crude oil. Despite what oilman may tell you, mineral oil is still a highly refined product.

Not that it matters anyway as it's the additives in the oil that may interact over that sort of timescale. However if the oil is still clear and nothing has precipitated out then it will be fine.

^^^^^^

Listen to this chap. He knows his beans!

and oil

stoofa · 24 Dec 2008 at 01:03

If you're at all worried just go and buy some more.
Some pretty standard 5w40 isn't going to cost you that much.

Now when you're paying around £40 for 5L then you start getting worried about having to shell out for more

Participant · 24 Dec 2008 at 09:44

Tafkap said:
Says the poster who displays his e-peen.

If you're talking about my PC gear, it's hardly state of the art, and it saves answering questions like "what setup have you got". You may have noticed that this was primarily a PC forum.

Happy motoring this Christmas in your 307cc

.

PS do you mind if I ask you your sex?