Is "old" oil safe

[Mwilli812]

I have an UNOPENED bottle of screamin eagle full synthetic lubricant that I bought 5 years ago. Does anyone know if this would be safe to use in my triglide.

[Jack Klarich]

A lot of oil companies suggest 5 years including Mobil 1 synthetic

[headheaded]

i wouldn't bat an eye at using that.

[rhino 2]

I would use it in a New York minute.....But if you have any nagging doubts toss it, Probably cost you only 4 bucks 5 years ago, That is with not factoring in inflation..

[Peter A.]

I see NO problem in using that oil........I’m sure many of us remember oil coming in ‘paper cardboard’ containers.........what a minute, I need to check my garage!



Us RETIRIES are getting O L D.........(but still enjoy the ride)

[trike tech]

Depends on storage..

Pour it into another container before dumping it into the bike in case there is any moisture or water build up in the container.

We see it all the time for our tractors (fluids are stored in a non climate controlled shop) & will usually have some "sludge" inside the container. We pour into a fresh bucket to filter out the crud before we dump it into the equipment.

[Old Road Dog]

I see NO problem in using that oil........I’m sure many of us remember oil coming in ‘paper cardboard’ containers.........what a minute, I need to check my garage!



Us RETIRIES are getting O L D.........(but still enjoy the ride)

Ha! I remember when you had to use a can opener( or a bayonet) to drink a beer.And it came in steel cans(blah). NO pop tops on anything.Things were so bad we had to read clocks with little hands on them.No digital like kids these days need.And things were so tough that women only shaved thire legs and armpits. Can you believe it?

[Capt.Bob]

I doubt that a sealed bottle of Syn 3 would go bad but what is the point of even having to worry about it? For $10-11, you will likely experience greater piece of mind by just pitching the old oil and supporting the ridiculous price that Harley is getting for a semi-synthetic oil Our engines cost on the order of $7-8k and I can't see the logic in trying to save a buck or two by putting such an expensive engine at any risk if that is possible. Oil is relatively cheap, engines are not. The last point that comes to mind is that Harley may have improved the blend in the past 5 years and you would be missing some possible advantages of the newer oil formula?

[GARYD]

Just use the damn oil ! ! If the rating hasn't changed. Don't remember when it changed last. Doubt it has in the last 5 years.

One bottle isn't going to hurt anything. Why didn't you use it in the last 5 years? Don't tell me you haven't changed your oil in 5 years.

Or carry it as an emergency top up. I always carry a vacuum sealed bottle on my long trips - just in case. Only needed it once for a friends bike years ago.

I would use it

[MDO]

HD does not rate their oil. I would use it in the differential.

I have also heard a shelf life number of 18-24 months for sealed oil stored in a controlled environment.

[Burnerboy]

If this oil is sealed, I'd have zero problems using it, after all it sits in your bike motor for a year, and it never hurt anything!

But if you want to throw it away, please send it to my address, and I'll dispose it for yea!

Ronnie

[mirider]

Interesting thread.....I've had oil on the shelf in my garage for longer than five years (still sealed) and never thought twice about using it in my vehicle. Not sure if it's sealed, how it would get moisture in it or become contaminated but maybe.........

[rhino 2]

Interesting thread.....I've had oil on the shelf in my garage for longer than five years (still sealed) and never thought twice about using it in my vehicle. Not sure if it's sealed, how it would get moisture in it or become contaminated but maybe.........

Wouldn't bother me to use it, Even if it had moisture in it as soon the engine gets hot it will burn it off anyway.....And heres the ''BUT'' If someone is worried about using it then Monsters of the Id take over, And then every imagine sound or hiccup will be attributed to the oil......

[Mwilli812]

Thanks for all the good replies! Y'all put up a lot of good info that I hadn't thought of. That's why I like TrikeTalk so much, seems like I have found a bunch of new friends that I can get advice from.

And I forgot to mention that I had it in the garage as an emergency spare in case I discovered during my pre-ride check that engine or tranny was a little low and it was Sunday with no place open to get any. Thanks again!

[Jack Klarich]

I doubt that a sealed bottle of Syn 3 would go bad but what is the point of even having to worry about it? For $10-11, you will likely experience greater piece of mind by just pitching the old oil and supporting the ridiculous price that Harley is getting for a semi-synthetic oil Our engines cost on the order of $7-8k and I can't see the logic in trying to save a buck or two by putting such an expensive engine at any risk if that is possible. Oil is relatively cheap, engines are not. The last point that comes to mind is that Harley may have improved the blend in the past 5 years and you would be missing some possible advantages of the newer oil formula?

Harley used to put out tenders each year to oil companies to make their oil to their engineers additive package

The MSD sheet for Syn3 calls it a BLEND oil not a true full synthetic unless this has changed I dunno for sure

I am happy to see this NOT going sideways like MOST oil threads go

[Old Road Dog]

When it comes to oil its always best to play it safe. Only buy the oil promoted in the ads from the trade driven journals with scantily clad models that subconsciously suggest they will sleep with you if you'll use the oil she's hawking.See- makes the choice easy.

[rhino 2]

When it comes to oil its always best to play it safe. Only buy the oil promoted in the ads from the trade driven journals with scantily clad models that subconsciously suggest they will sleep with you if you'll use the oil she's hawking.See- makes the choice easy.

I always use the Oil's that the Girls at Hooters recommend....And i never had an oil related engine failure...''

[Jack Klarich]

I always use the Oil's that the Girls at Hooters recommend....And i never had an oil related engine failure...''

OMG, Bob that is another Forum

[Burnerboy]

I actually buy oil when it goes on sale, and I buy large amounts of it...I have in my garage NOW approx 30 quarts of oil , and never had a problem using it, even when it has sat for years..I'm an oil changing fool on all my vehicles, and probably change oil more then the average person...

I have a heating/plumbing biz, and need to keep my trucks running in tip top shape all the time/so oil/filter changes I do all the time, same on my motorcycle. Every 2,000 miles..

Ronnie

[Sully]

Unopened Oil is like Unopened bottle of Wine, Just as good Aged.