Does Gear Oil go bad sitting in garage?

[paRTy]

I have an unopened container of Mobil 1 75w90 gear oil that was a leftover from a bike about 5 years ago. Can it go bad sitting on the shelf in the garage or just get a new one, to be safe, for an upcoming 600 mile service?

 

thanks.

[Big_John]

The guys over at BITOG know their stuff and say that 5 years is on the margin. I have 75w90 that has been on the shelf for three years and I am going to use it.

[paRTy]

Thanks Big John

 

[AndyS]

Explain why it goes bad?

It has sat underground for a pretty long time?

The additives to the best of my knowledge don't have lives, but, if am always willing to learn. Point me to the official data.

[Guest Kakugo]

Shell has run some tests on the matter.

 

Oil sitting in opened containers still had its original properties after ten years. They didn't bother with longer tests.

 

I bought a can of Mobil 1 car oil (for the lawnmower) the local fuel station had sitting around for I don't know how long (surely more than five years) and no problems at all.

[dirtrider]

Morning

 

From ExxonMobil web site----ExxonMobil recommends a five year maximum shelf-life for engine oils, including Mobil 1™ synthetic.

 

 

The above is for motor oil & I couldn't find anything on gear oil storage life.

 

You also don't know how long it was on the shelf before you bought it (might have been in the system for a couple of years before you even bought it)

 

Personally, for the little it costs & the small amount your bike holds I would just buy a new bottle of gear oil & save that older bottle for other uses.

 

In any case, (IF) you decide to use that old gear oil-- turn it over for a day or two before using, then shake it good before use. You are only going to use a small part of that bottle so you should re-mix any settled additives back into the main stock before using.

[paRTy]

Thx Dirtrider---going to buy a new bottle. Small price to pay for insuring a new bike runs well.

[realshelby]

Morning

In any case, (IF) you decide to use that old gear oil-- turn it over for a day or two before using, then shake it good before use. You are only going to use a small part of that bottle so you should re-mix any settled additives back into the main stock before using.

 

I'll add a bit to that. Always shake your oil container ( no matter what kind ) before opening the lid and pouring it. You would be surprised at what settles into the bottom of a container! Might look like gunk, but I imagine it is a pretty good part of the additive package.