Opened Engine Oil Bottle Has Shelf Life?

hl0m4n · 08-20-2008, 09:46 PM

i have an opened bottle of engine oil left (half liter) and was wondering if the oil now has a shelf life because it has been opened. i am storing it in the garage with the cap sealed tight and in a cabinet.

how long can i store this before, if ever, it goes bad?

335e92tx · 08-20-2008, 09:58 PM

Its been in the ground several times that. The container will breakdown before the 'basestock' does.

Do I get promoted to Lt now? ;-)

MrTiger · 08-20-2008, 10:54 PM

Use it and dont worry about it....

Rotary Rasp · 08-20-2008, 11:15 PM

six months...
the oil doesn't go bad but the additives do.

honestly though, I wouldn't worry about it.

Bimmer Nerd · 08-21-2008, 12:36 AM

nothing to worry about, its not like enzymes will break down or something lol

Staszek · 08-21-2008, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rotary Rasp

six months...
the oil doesn't go bad but the additives do.

honestly though, I wouldn't worry about it.

The additives in the synthetic will not breakdown in 6 months.

It will be fine for a while I wouldnt worry a out it to much especially since its only a half liter the most you are going to use it for is topping off.

335e92tx · 08-21-2008, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Staszek

The additives in the synthetic will not breakdown in 6 months.

Its probably been on the shelf at the manufacturer/distributor for longer than that.

Rotary Rasp · 08-21-2008, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335e92tx

Its probably been on the shelf at the manufacturer/distributor for longer than that.

True, but it hasn't been opened. Once it comes into contact with air, the clock starts ticking.

As for the person that said the additives in synthetic oil won't go bad in 6 months, you may be right..... I dunno. I've read that you should use dino oil within 6 months of opening the bottle.

What I do know is that a 1/2 quart of bad oil isn't going make any difference.

Staszek · 08-21-2008, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rotary Rasp

True, but it hasn't been opened. Once it comes into contact with air, the clock starts ticking.

As for the person that said the additives in synthetic oil won't go bad in 6 months, you may be right..... I dunno. I've read that you should use dino oil within 6 months of opening the bottle.

What I do know is that a 1/2 quart of bad oil isn't going make any difference.

Your right about things decaying faster with air, but Dino is also completely different then Synthetic.

Anyway like I said a half a quart even once the additives are gone will not hurt you either way.

SoYank · 08-21-2008, 03:30 PM

Have a read (and a weep) about the 50 year old Plymouth Belvedere Sport Coupe in Tulsa. Yes, this article is related to this discussion.

Rotary Rasp · 08-21-2008, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoYank

Have a read (and a weep) about the 50 year old Plymouth Belvedere Sport Coupe in Tulsa. Yes, this article is related to this discussion.

That's a shame.

Staszek · 08-21-2008, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoYank

Have a read (and a weep) about the 50 year old Plymouth Belvedere Sport Coupe in Tulsa. Yes, this article is related to this discussion.

Yea I read about that car a while ago when they pulled it up. To bad. But the article proves my point shelf life of up to 5 years if properly stored.

08-20-2008, 09:46 PM	#1
hl0m4n Major General 2159 Rep 5,623 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NY iTrader: (58)	Opened Engine Oil Bottle Has Shelf Life? i have an opened bottle of engine oil left (half liter) and was wondering if the oil now has a shelf life because it has been opened. i am storing it in the garage with the cap sealed tight and in a cabinet. how long can i store this before, if ever, it goes bad? __________________ Cars: 07 335i ► 08 328i ► 11 328xi ► 13 M3 ► 17 M4 ► 14 M6
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08-20-2008, 09:58 PM	#2
335e92tx ahat 1036 Rep 2,592 Posts Drives: Was '07-335e92 - Now '13-335IS Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Texas iTrader: (6)	oh a million or so years.. Its been in the ground several times that. The container will breakdown before the 'basestock' does. Do I get promoted to Lt now? ;-) __________________ '13 335IS N54 (1 of 373 LeMans Blue out of 3597 total production e92)- Grey interior (1 of 24 in LMB with any trans- 1 of 14 with DCT)-MODS -MFactory LSD/MHD-BQ custom Tune/ATM-IC/AFE Momentum GT Intake/Konis/Mfront&HeimJoint Rear rods&arms/Brembos. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Lo6aHZRo7XqtPkhL8
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08-20-2008, 10:54 PM	#3
MrTiger Private 56 Rep 75 Posts Drives: Lexus Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Use it and dont worry about it....
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08-20-2008, 11:15 PM	#4
Rotary Rasp Lieutenant Colonel 241 Rep 1,857 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SoCal - Torrance iTrader: (6)	six months... the oil doesn't go bad but the additives do. honestly though, I wouldn't worry about it.
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08-21-2008, 12:36 AM	#5
Bimmer Nerd Major General 519 Rep 7,789 Posts Drives: 6MT F80 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Santa Monica, CA iTrader: (12)	nothing to worry about, its not like enzymes will break down or something lol
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08-21-2008, 03:30 PM	#10
SoYank Major General 571 Rep 7,519 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 335i MT Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vinton, Virginia iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW E90 335i S ... [9.00]	Have a read (and a weep) about the 50 year old Plymouth Belvedere Sport Coupe in Tulsa. Yes, this article is related to this discussion. __________________ **2009 E90 335i Montego Blue · Black Leather · Burl Walnut · 6MT · US Spec** SatNav • ZPP • ZCW • 6FL • TPMS • iDrive • PDC • HWS • Xenons • BMW Assist • Power Rear Sunshade • Logic 7 European Taillights • Rear Foglamp • OEM Alarm • PicoTray • DataToys XM-DVR • Multi-view Processor Quaife ATB LSD • Short Shift Knob • Hartge Anti-Roll Bars • AP Racing Front Brakes • 19" Style 269
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