Engine oil

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davidfloyd57
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Engine oil

Post by davidfloyd57 »

Can anyone advise please?
A neighbour has given me an unopened 1 litre can of Castrol GTX 15w50 engine oil. It is in a Castrol centenary pack from 1999. I believe that it was given to him as a Rover employee but he has no use for it as it is unsuitable for his modern vehicle.
However, what I am wondering is whether it would be ok to use, given that it is nearly 20 years old. Does unused oil lose its effectiveness in time, or should it be alright as the can has not been opened?
I would use it for top up purposes. The oil in the engine is 20w50. Would it matter if these two oils were mixed? Obviously it would all be drained anyway at the next service.
Last edited by davidfloyd57 on Sat Jun 30, 2018 2:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
philthehill
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Re: Engine oil

Post by philthehill »

Perfectly OK to use especially as the can has not been opened.
Give the can a shake before use.

The can may be more valuable than the oil in it though.

Qulavete
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Re: Engine oil

Post by Qulavete »

I am still using 15W 40W, I change my oil quite often thought about every 15hours. I haven't heard anything about a change in the recommendation.



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les
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Re: Engine oil

Post by les »

What happens when the 15 hour interval becomes due at 3 in the morning? :o

ManyMinors
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Re: Engine oil

Post by ManyMinors »

He's obviously very keen Les. I guess he sets his alarm clock :)
ianmack
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Re: Engine oil

Post by ianmack »

No need for an alarm. He lies awake worrying.
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StillGotMy1stCar
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Re: Engine oil

Post by StillGotMy1stCar »

Anyone clicked on the Diceus. I haven't and wouldn't recommend it. Might set the alarm off or worse.
Regards John
simmitc
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Re: Engine oil

Post by simmitc »

Which oil to use depends on the climate where the car is used. 15/40 should be OK, but the recommendation has always been 20/50 for most applications. Morris Oils (no connection with the car) do one, and Duckhams has relaunched the famous "Q" - see advert in Minor Matters.
les
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Re: Engine oil

Post by les »

StillGotMy1stCar wrote: Thu Jul 12, 2018 9:40 pm Anyone clicked on the Diceus. I haven't and wouldn't recommend it. Might set the alarm off or worse.
Regards John
------- based in the Ukraine, a software development company, and other stuff I haven't got a clue about!

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StillGotMy1stCar
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Re: Engine oil

Post by StillGotMy1stCar »

Not sure if this is a genuine poster, just googled Diceus and it’s a Software company in the Ukraine. Les you beat me to it.
Could have gone wrong in translation.
15W40 I thought was generally used as a Diesel engine oil, perhaps he uses it.
Hour meter fitted with an oil change interval of 150 hours perhaps.
An hour meter fitted to a classic could be seen as a good idea.
Wire it across the oil pressure switch.
Regards John
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