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Hi, - After opening a bottle of motor oil, for how long is it good? I have some that has been open about 4 years. Just doesn't make sense to by yet another bottle every Spring. Thanks.

Never heard of motor oil going bad by just sitting. Maybe someone knows something I don't?? Now this has that magic word oil in it so no BS stories here.

I had some oil stored in the basement for over 20 years in the original plastic bottles. High end Valvoline 30W turbo oil. Opened it up and it looked fine and used it in the old Cub Cadet. No problems. Remember to follow manufacturers recommendations on oil and don't use 20 year old oil in a newer, modern engine.

Oil has a shelf life much longer than our own.

Well we sure do love talking about O I L
I think on this one we can all agree that O I L really does not go bad as long as the top is on tight so no trash can get in it.

New unused oil doesnt go bad longs the lid is on tight. Its not like brake fluid that has shelf life after opening.

I just love a consensus! The oil has been stored in original bottles, in a closet, in a finished basement, with lids affixed properly. Wish all my questions (other sites/forums) could be answered as well as you all have here. Happy Spring mowing!

hikerpat said:

I just love a consensus! The oil has been stored in original bottles, in a closet, in a finished basement, with lids affixed properly. Wish all my questions (other sites/forums) could be answered as well as you all have here. Happy Spring mowing!

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Yes this went rather well.

Ha ha you got lucky and found five of us to agree on something.

OIL is good way to start arguments on here.
Welcome to the forum. Hope you stick around.
Post a pic of your mower.

Carscw said:

Yes this went rather well.

Ha ha you got lucky and found five of us to agree on something.

OIL is good way to start arguments on here.
Welcome to the forum. Hope you stick around.
Post a pic of your mower.

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I agree too.:laughing:..:thumbsup:

For the gentleman from Tennessee, who wanted me to post pics of my mower, I will assume that when I click "submit reply" that they will be viewable.
It's a Honda variable speed walk behind. Great mower, if you don't mind the backfiring when I stop it, then start it too soon after stopping. If I wait several minutes, no problem. And no way to get it to the store for repair and no money to pay for it (unless the 4 year warranty covers carb problems - doubtful).

Well, now oil storage.........

I wouldn't give opened oil more than a few weeks........

Fish said:

Well, now oil storage.........

I wouldn't give opened oil more than a few weeks........

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Total BS on few weeks on opened oil. I used oil thats more than 2 years that are opened with no problems.

The Mobile one site says five years for their products opened or unopened stored in a dry cool place. In the 70s my Dad was bulk agent for Standard Oil and they wanted all oil over five years old returned. It was not stored in a dry cool place.

hikerpat said:

Hi, - After opening a bottle of motor oil, for how long is it good? I have some that has been open about 4 years. Just doesn't make sense to by yet another bottle every Spring. Thanks.

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as long as you keep it clean, it never expires...oil is billions of years old anyway

davbell22602 said:

Total BS on few weeks on opened oil. I used oil thats more than 2 years that are opened with no problems.

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Even with all of them little dead bugs?

You sure have to be careful of them bugs getting into your sealed oil bottle. Them bugs sure like to drink that oil.

I remember once someone wanted to know if they made a stabilizer to keep their big bottle of Stabil good....

Fish said:

I remember once someone wanted to know if they made a stabilizer to keep their big bottle of Stabil good....

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:confused2:Is that a stabilizer to stabilize your stabilizer? :confused2:

Yes, that was their question....I think....

reynoldston said:

:confused2:Is that a stabilizer to stabilize your stabilizer? :confused2:

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Yep..:confused2:..:laughing:

Hey Guys - Good or bad - I changed the mower's oil yesterday. The previously opened oil looked clear and amber; can't remember oil looking any differently when it was first opened.