Random oil questions...

Hi All,

Couple of generic oil questions...

Found on the farm several quart, gallon and
larger full, unopened oil containers in
plastic jugs, small 1 qt cans (think of
those needing to be opened with a can
opener) and drums.

1st:
Does oil go bad in unopened containers - if
yes, what would the shelf life be?

Could one use without issue all the older,
unopened oil - plastic jugs and small round
cans equally?

2nd:
I noticed Shell T1 SAE 30 over the years
has been labelled as Heavy Duty Diesel for
diesel and gasoline engines, whereas other
T1 30wt heavy duty oil indicates either
diesel or gasoline and some just says heavy
duty oil.

Is this all the same, as it all says Shell
T1 heavy duty 30 wt, or are there actually
different versions of T1 30wt heavy duty
oil - some for diesel, some for gas etc,
and some for both?

3rd:
Also found several non-T1 heavy duty SAE
30wt oil containers, Mobil, and other
brands - same question as #2 above.

4th:
Considering modern T4 and T1 diesel oils
are much superior to straight 30wt from the
60's, would mixing un-opened T1, T4 etc
containers be a no-no?

Lastly, if older cans can be used as it
doesn't degrade, is there a value to
keeping the old vintage cans and buying new
oil, or just use it all up?

Thanks ,

CnB

Not sure if the oil is ok to use, however the containers are collectible. Some of them could have pretty good value.

Huh, is there a market for such a thing?

I have dozens and dozens of old IH fluid and oil sitting in those little round cans you would see in the early movies.

I was hoping to use it all up, but maybe not?

Have even some weird hytran fluid but it called something else - like hytranique?

Just tired of going and buying fluids when I have rooms full of it

Unopened fiber cans with tin tops/bottoms, or actual full metal cans have far more value than the contents. But the real answer is that all of it is good for lawn mowers and old tractors The newest oil in the lot is OK for the tractor you are working on. Not the older stuff. (opinion) just don't put it in a modern car with a catalytic converter. Jim

It would be my opinion that oil does not go bad. Maybe over 15 years would questionable. I would just check for condensation if none use it up. I probably would not recommend running it in your 806, but I think you have a M it would be fine for that or putting it in any other slower RPM 4 banger would be fine in my opinion. On the old cans I would recommend opening them in the bottom, this would help preserve collectibility.

If the cans are in good condition and not leaking, look into finding them a good home. Any that are leaking, go ahead and use the oil, but open them on the bottom to preserve the can.

Check this out!

Of course these are retail prices. But if you have the time to peddle them there could be some money to be made! Not just the rare ones are valuable, people will buy about any of the round paper or metal cans. The odd ones are worth the most.
Collectable Cans

We had a fella on our fire dept. that worked for Union Carbide.
I asked him about oil I found while cleaning a relatives estate.
His answer was How long was that oil in the ground before it was
pumped up?

Who woulda thought - guess I have some more piles of junk to go through...

Shipping cans with oil in them can incur hazmat issues. Back when I flew model airplanes you could get quarts of fuel shipped to you but gallons had to be shipped hazmat which cost as much as the gallon of fuel. You could ship as many quart bottles of fuel as you wanted with no hazmat fee. Not sure if that is still true. The quarts were almost as expensive as a gallon of fuel at the local hobby shop, though. You had to be desperate to mail order fuel.

That was kind of my long winded way of saying most collector cans are empty.