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Engine oil
Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2018 12:11 pm
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.
Re: Engine oil
Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2018 1:45 pm
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.
Re: Engine oil
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 12:38 pm
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.
________________________________________________________________________________________
There are no solved problems; there are only problems that are more or less solved.
All the best, Qulavate Diceus
Re: Engine oil
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 5:45 pm
by les
What happens when the 15 hour interval becomes due at 3 in the morning?
Re: Engine oil
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 5:51 pm
by ManyMinors
He's obviously very keen Les. I guess he sets his alarm clock
Re: Engine oil
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 8:23 pm
by ianmack
No need for an alarm. He lies awake worrying.
Re: Engine oil
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 9:40 pm
by StillGotMy1stCar
Anyone clicked on the Diceus. I haven't and wouldn't recommend it. Might set the alarm off or worse.
Regards John
Re: Engine oil
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 10:09 pm
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.
Re: Engine oil
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 10:25 pm
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!
Re: Engine oil
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 10:39 pm
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