Old 2 Stroke Oil - does it deteriorate?

[Peter R]

I have found 2 litre bottles of Yanalube 2 stroke oil in the back of my garage. I guess they must be at least 5 years old from when I had a Yammy 4 2 stroke for my tender.

I know that both petrol and diesel deteriorate with time, but does 2 stroke oil also deteriorate? Would I be risking damage using it on a normally carbureted 9.8 Tohatsu 2 stroke?

[jyasaki]

Wouldn't think so. There's a lot more volatile compounds in fuels that evaporate or break down and cause it to go off; 2S oil is a lubricant, so I wouldn't expect it to deteriorate.

2 stroke oil - shelf life? | Power Sports | Bob Is The Oil Guy


jky

[HughN]

Originally Posted by jyasaki

2 stroke oil - shelf life? | Power Sports | Bob Is The Oil Guy

From that linked page: "I know oils are blended & all, but it's been in the ground a VERY long time."

[hardnose]

The shelf life is indefinite.

However, the oil standards have changed over the years; two stoke oil has gotten better and better.

5 - 6 year old oil will be just fine though in a conventional two stroke outboard.

[Boatnomad]

Just after using 20 year old Bar&Chain Oil (Chainsaw) i found at the back of the workshop,worked just fine.

[A1an]

Originally Posted by Boatnomad

Just after using 20 year old Bar&Chain Oil (Chainsaw) i found at the back of the workshop,worked just fine.

I bet its a damn site better than the wishy washy biodegradable crap you buy nowadays.

[Boatnomad]

Originally Posted by A1an

I bet its a damn site better than the wishy washy biodegradable crap you buy nowadays.

Yes,what i was thinking after buying new oil today,looks a LOT thinner!

[uncle al]

before I retired three years ago from the distributer of merc/mar. I contacted the factory in Belgium,I was told that at that time quicksilver 2/str oil had a shelf life of five years,wether it has changed now or not I dont know.

[m chappelow]

I have seen Quick silver 2 stroke oil in an unopened & undisturbed can at least 15 years old have no ill effects ( no separation ) ect on the other hand i have seen other cheaper or budget brands where left for a few years in storage undisturbed have separation or globs of additives laying on the bottom of the can , Either way way with a good shake they all got used up eventually with no ill effects .

[Peter R]

Thank you gentlemen. It seems that the consensus says 'yes, it is OK to use old 2s oil, but check for separation, and give it a good shake'.

Thank you

Peter R