Old bottle of MaxLife - white residue in bottom

[BubbaFL]

Today I used a 5-quart jug of MaxLife 5w30 that's been sitting on the shelf for about four years.

I shook it vigorously for 15 seconds, let it sit upside down for a few minutes, and gave it another good shake before emptying the jug into the crankcase.

There was some white residue in the bottom of the jug, so I cut it open afterward to take a look. What's left smells very strongly like hypoid gear oil.

What's the likely composition of this stuff?

Should I cut short the OCI, or plan on using an additive to make up for whatever was left in the jug?




CAM00766

CAM00765

 

[1034]

I d drain it now oil is cheap not worth taking a chance. The residue looks like paraffin
but I have no idea what it is. I do remember reading possibly on this site that oil does have a shelf life .

 

[KGMtech]

Relax, if you shook the bottle up any additive settling will have been dealt with. If old stock oil was so dangerous, they'd have a best before date on the bottles.

 

[dlundblad]

The jug was unopened right?

If so, you're fine. Most oils seem to leave some sort of residue at the bottom anyways. Folks here have used much older oil than that with no issues.

If it will keep you awake at night, change it.

 

[fdcg27]

I think that you're worrying about nothing.
There is nothing wrong with the oil.
After forty years?
Maybe.
Four years?
Nah.
You can also take some comfort from the fact that this oil contains moly, while current Maxlife doesn't.
I'd run it for whatever interval you've planned without concern.

 

[timeau]

Originally Posted By: KGMtech
Relax, if you shook the bottle up any additive settling will have been dealt with. If old stock oil was so dangerous, they'd have a best before date on the bottles.

And now let's sit and think what is this residue. And, the most important, where will it be after oil is poured into the sump.
Hint: in the best case - inside the oil filter.

 

[pbm]

I had an excellent UOA on oil that was in my garage for 17 years...Whenever I see residue on the bottom I scrape it out with my finger and insert it via the oil filler opening....it will mix right in....

 

[SilverSnake]

To me, it depends on how much you care about your vehicle. If you don't, leave it in. If you do, change it an put in fresh oil. I would never take that chance with any of the 4 vehicles I own.

 

[SilverC6]

I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[ltslimjim]

It is fine. Use it with confidence.

 

[Lubener]

I have used oil older than yours. Oil does not go bad on the shelf, it may settle. Shake it up, don't worry about it and sleep well.

 

[Oil Changer]

Read what BLACKSTONE has to say about old oil. The link is part one of three. You're on your own if you want to read them all.

 

[BubbaFL]

Wow - as expected, a wide variety of opinions here!

This oil was from an unopened jug.

My concern is that whatever settled out could be a critical anti-wear additive or something (especially given how it smells).

I'll probably run it for a normal interval (six months / 2500 miles, 80% very short trips), unless I notice excessive consumption, engine noise, or other issues.

 

[rockydee]

Originally Posted By: BubbaFL
Wow - as expected, a wide variety of opinions here!

This oil was from an unopened jug.

My concern is that whatever settled out could be a critical anti-wear additive or something (especially given how it smells).

I'll probably run it for a normal interval (six months / 2500 miles, 80% very short trips), unless I notice excessive consumption, engine noise, or other issues.




Shake it up, over a period of a few days starting a few days before you plan on using the oil. Put it somewhere where you'll see it and every time you pass it give it a shake for 20-30 seconds. It will all mix through. I flip my oil bottles upside down, then right side up a few times in a box starting about a week before I plan on changing my oil, and shake the bottles up at the same time. A little crazy maybe, but everything is in suspension with nothing on the bottom of the bottles when it comes time to use 'em.-RD

 

[FutureDoc]

Shake it up and use it.

I "experimented" by letting a bottle sit in warm tap water and a lot of the residue went back into suspension when warmed. Ruined the label but hey, if hot tap water works, then it will be a non-issue later IMO.

 

[jstutz]

I noticed for the first time this weekend, the very same thing. I have some old bottles of Castrol startup 10w40 that i bought at napa on clearance a while back. It was about 50F this weekend and sunny so i decided to change the oil in the suburban. I shook the bottle up and dumped the first one in and noticed a bit of white hazy stuff dripping in at the end. I cut the bottle open and sure enough there was a thick film with lots of white pasty stuff in the bottom of the bottle. I heated the other 4 bottles up to about 100F then shook them very well and when dumping it in, the entire contents was slightly cloudy, but no residue on the bottom of the bottle.

I have used a lot of oil that has sat for years and years and have never witnessed this before. I figure if its moisture it will bake out and if its additive fallout it will mix up when being driven. I'm not loosing sleep over it but it was just an observation.

 

[dave1251]

WOW some of the comments expressed are rather uninformed emotional responses.

Use it for your normal OCI your engine will be better than fine.

 

[Bud]

Different strokes for different folks. Do what you feel comfortable with. Would not faze me to use it and leave in it, but as you see on this board, opinions vary.
Your own decision is what ultimately matters.

 

[jstutz]

So does anyone actually know what this is?

 

[ltslimjim]

Worst case? Add a Bottle of Lubegard's blue bottled Engine Oil Protectant w/ BIOTECH.

EZ PZ additive boost. GG? Surrender we win?

O'Reilly or Napa generally carry them. OR buy on Amazon. Just search Lubegard and buy whatever sized bottle you'd like to top off this oil. Any of their products listed as BIO-TECH.

Anyways...you don't need it but if it gave you peace of mind for using perfectly good oil?