Does oil degrade over time on the shelf?

[Jeffrey S.]

Hello all! I changed the oil today in my '69 and found I had 3 gallon containers of Rotella. Two had an API designation of "CJ" - with a copywrite date of 2010 and 2012 on the label. The 3rd was an API "CH" which, as I understand it, is 2 revisions before the "CJ". No date was on the label. I used the newest container. My question is, does oil in a sealed container degrade over time? Thanks.
Jeff

[Edward J.]

Re: Does oil degrade over time on the shelf?

Jeff, As long as its been in a sealed container. should not be a problem.

[Joe R.]

Re: Does oil degrade over time on the shelf?

Jeff,

Maybe you know this already, but I would recommend making sure the Zinc and Phosphorous levels in the API CH oil are sufficient before using it in your classic Corvette.

Joe

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Does oil degrade over time on the shelf?

Edward and Joe,
Thanks for your replies. How about if the container is not sealed? Joe, from all that has been written here by Duke et all, I'm confident that the "CJ" that I used is OK.
Jeff

[Jim T.]

Re: Does oil degrade over time on the shelf?

Jeffery I sent a request for shelf life of Mobil 1 5W30 to Mobil 1 and got a reply. Shelf life of a sealed container Mobil1 conservative figure is 5 years. However the reply person said it could safe to use for 5-7 years.

[Edward J.]

Re: Does oil degrade over time on the shelf?

Jeff, Once a container is opened moisture is the enemy. So if stored outside in a garage in a humid climate???? I would not normal have any problems with using the Oil if sealed. Being the oil is just a few years old I would Just use it, maybe a friend with a older corvette???

[Michael W.]

Re: Does oil degrade over time on the shelf?

Oil is not hygroscopic.

[Duke W.]

Re: Does oil degrade over time on the shelf?

I've seen oil shelf life quoted as low as 2 years, but I think that's very conservative. The problem over time can be additive drop out, which will usually show up as a dark sludge on the bottom of the container. I don't recommend buying more than a two to three-year supply at a time.

CJ-4 has been in effect since 2007, and CH-4 goes back several years earlier.

BTW, I was at my local Walmart in Torrance, CA this morning, and I noticed they had Chevron Delo in the 10W-30 viscosity range, but for the mild to hot weather that we typically drive out cars in I continue to recommend 15W-40.

Duke