Shelf Life of Opened Gear Oil

[SoCalFJR1300]

I know brake fluid once it's opened can collect water and you should always use a fresh can.

Does anyone know if gear oil loses anything after years being open?

I have a can that's been sitting in my garage for like 15 years, I used some of it in a Kawasaki 750 Vulcan way back when.

I know it's not that expensive, but I hate to waste it and toss it if it's still good?

Thanks in advance for replies.

 

[pista]

I would pour it into another suitable container and see if any additives had "dropped out" of the oil. You would see that as being something at the bottom of your original container that's a differant color and or consistancy from the rest of the oil.

If there is, I personally would toss it. Otherwise you're good to go.

 

[Donal]

I would pour it into another suitable container and see if any additives had "dropped out" of the oil. You would see that as being something at the bottom of your original container that's a differant color and or consistancy from the rest of the oil.
If there is, I personally would toss it. Otherwise you're good to go.

Agree with that idea. However, just make sure that it is API GL-5 specification.

 

[flagstaff]

I assume that it was capped all this time so no dirt could get in. In that case I would see no reason not to use it as long as it met the specification for the bike/car/truck you'll be using it in.

As for your comment on brake fluid...There can be some confusion caused by the wording used in service manuals. They generally say something like "Only use brake fluid from a seal container." Sealed in this case does not mean new. It just means that the container should have been properly capped. Brake fluid will keep for years as long as you put the cap back on the container and tighten it down.

 

[garyahouse]

I assume that it was capped all this time so no dirt could get in. In that case I would see no reason not to use it as long as it met the specification for the bike/car/truck you'll be using it in.
As for your comment on brake fluid...There can be some confusion caused by the wording used in service manuals. They generally say something like "Only use brake fluid from a seal container." Sealed in this case does not mean new. It just means that the container should have been properly capped. Brake fluid will keep for years as long as you put the cap back on the container and tighten it down.

+1 on capped brake fluid. If air can't get in, you'll have no moisture getting in either.

Gary

darksider

#44

 

[carlson_mn]

yeah since my 400hp car says the rear diff gear oil is good for the life of the vehicle I'm sure it's fine for a long time sitting on a shelf too

 

[Road_Runner]

15 years? I don't like to waste anything either, but that's a Damn long time. Personally I would save that for the old Ford pickup and put new, full-syn in the high performance machine.

 

[juniorfjr]

Remember it layed around in the ground for about 3,000,000 years.

 

[Fly Bye]

Why take a chance?

Dump it, you will sleep better.

 

[rbentnail]

I'd toss the oil and buy new. $10-15 for a qt ain't worth using oil that old. I don't toss opened but properly capped brake fluid b/c I know I'll use it sometime this or later on next yr.

So just how long has it been since you changed the rear gear oil anyway?

 

[SoCalFJR1300]

So just how long has it been since you changed the rear gear oil anyway?

About 7,000 miles.

Thanks for all the replies guys.

 

[rbentnail]

About 7,000 miles.

Thanks for all the replies guys.

Oh, that's not so bad. I had visions of worse. I typically change mine once per yr, averaging about 12k miles between changes. Oil analysis has proven to me that the old oil still has many miles of life in it.

 

[HotRodZilla]

I have 140k on my truck. Don't know that the diff oil has ever been changed. Maybe I'll do that this week. Of course it may have been done at the 100k service...Since I took it in.

I do the FJR every 8k...Which is prolly too much.

 

[SoCalFJR1300]

About 7,000 miles.

Thanks for all the replies guys.

Oh, that's not so bad. I had visions of worse. I typically change mine once per yr, averaging about 12k miles between changes. Oil analysis has proven to me that the old oil still has many miles of life in it.

Bike only has 10K on it.

I bought it last Feb. with only 2,900 miles....it's an 08.

 

[SoCalFJR1300]

I have 140k on my truck. Don't know that the diff oil has ever been changed. Maybe I'll do that this week. Of course it may have been done at the 100k service...Since I took it in.
I do the FJR every 8k...Which is prolly too much.

What's funny is some auto manufacturers recommend very frequent rear dif oil changes........one of the Honda SUV's for instance had a every 10 or 15K recommendation.

I think one of my Ford F-150's was every 30K.

 

[GPRIDER]

I thought the recommended mileage(owners and service manual) for the rear end oil change is 16,000. That's usually when I change mine.

GP

 

[RaYzerman19]

I thought the recommended mileage(owners and service manual) for the rear end oil change is 16,000. That's usually when I change mine.
GP

I'd also say once a year, due to condensation/moisture build-up, especially if you commute or go on short rides where operating temperatures are not reached or not for a long enough time. Or ride in rain a lot. The vent is rather 'open' to atmosphere......