Year old shaft drive oil

[.paul]

First off, I'm not sure if this belongs in NEPRT - sorry if it does.

I've got a bottle of the Yamaha shaft drive gear oil I purchased when I did the 600 mile service. I'm now at 16,000 miles and I need to change my pumpkin juice. Here's my question, the bottle of gear oil has been sitting in my shed for an entire year and seen a few 100* days and a few below freezing nights over the winter, will it still be ok to use, or should I just go buy another bottle?

I'm only concerned because I know you shouldn't let gasoline sit for extended periods of time without properly treating it. Thanks in advance.

 

[Constant Mesh]

It'll get much hotter than that when it's in the drive. It's also exposed to moist air in the drive via the breather on top. The drive is likely a much harsher environment than your shed.

Too much is made of the choice of lubricants for the FJR drive. Car and truck differentials have been using generic gear lube for years with little or no attention.

 

[.paul]

It'll get much hotter than that when it's in the drive. It's also exposed to moist air in the drive via the breather on top. The drive is likely a much harsher environment than your shed.

Agreed, but that's not what I was asking. It's been sitting in there for a year, will it still be ok is what I'm asking. You can't just pick up a 5 gallon jug of gasoline and pour it into your car, I was curious if the same holds true for oil.

 

[Big-D]

You are asking if your Gear Lube that has been sitting on your shelf in your shed has a shelf life! Because Gear lube (heavy weight oil) is fairly inexpensive, if it makes you feel better you can just buy another bottle. However, gear oil does not have the additives like gasoline does and therefore should not break down sitting in its bottle turning into turpentine. As "Constant Mesh" stated above, most people never change the gear oil in the rear-end of their automobile; the same holds true for automatic transmissions. If there was an expiration date, it would more than likely be printed on the bottle. You should be safe to go ahead and use the oil you have.

 

[FJRSTAR]

It'll get much hotter than that when it's in the drive. It's also exposed to moist air in the drive via the breather on top. The drive is likely a much harsher environment than your shed.

Agreed, but that's not what I was asking. It's been sitting in there for a year, will it still be ok is what I'm asking. You can't just pick up a 5 gallon jug of gasoline and pour it into your car, I was curious if the same holds true for oil.

I'd use it. If the container was sealed it should not be a problem.

I've stored the gear lube for two bikes in our hot garage and through winter and use it with no issues.

 

[kiteman11]

YES. USE THE OIL. JESUS CHRIST FOLKS, IT'S ******* GEAR OIL> IF YOU DON'T WANT TO USE IT, SEND IT TO ME.

 

[dcarver]

Easy their cowboy.. I won't shout..

but send it to me and I'll dedicate the next 3,000 miles to you!

 

[palerider]

YES. USE THE OIL. JESUS CHRIST FOLKS, IT'S ******* GEAR OIL> IF YOU DON'T WANT TO USE IT, SEND IT TO ME.

:clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

 

[SkooterG]

Use it. It's not gasoline. Shelf life is practically forever.

Now...........it is the special Yamaha whaze **** made specifically for FJRs isn't it?

 

[UPSMAN]

Use it. It's not gasoline. Shelf life is practically forever.

Now...........it is the special Yamaha whaze **** made specifically for FJRs isn't it?

For what Yamaha is getting for that bottle it had better be good for a few years!!!!!

 

[.paul]

Nope, mine was the regular bottle from Yamalube. the 80w90 jank.

 

[wheatonFJR]

YES. USE THE OIL. JESUS CHRIST FOLKS, IT'S ******* GEAR OIL> IF YOU DON'T WANT TO USE IT, SEND IT TO ME.

You tell that to ALL your BMW friends, don't you?

 

[odot]

Aw....he's just pissed off because the wireless transmitter he bought for his gtr didn't come with the cord that plugs into the gtr. Damn carvin made me wait three months for mine........

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

<snip>I've got a bottle of the Yamaha shaft drive gear oil I purchased when I did the 600 mile service. I'm now at 16,000 miles and I need to change my pumpkin juice. Here's my question, the bottle of gear oil has been sitting in my shed for an entire year ...will it still be ok to use...?

'kiteman11':<snip>YES. USE THE OIL. JESUS CHRIST FOLKS, IT'S ******* GEAR OIL

No..., I wouldn't recco using it -- after all, you want 'the best' for your FJR, don't you? Once exposed to the atmosphere, oil begins to oxidize (almost everything does...) -- it's not the same as new oil.

And..., it is special stuff (or, is supposed to be...?).

 

[Zorlac]

"You can't just pick up a 5 gallon jug of gasoline and pour it into your car"

I can, and have.

My lawnmowers, rototiller, snowblower all sit with gas in them to no ill effect.

Either New Jersey gets all the good gas, or people worry too much.

The oil's fine, I'd use it.

 

[MikeYork5]

Nah....it ain't any good. I'd dump it down the storm drain!

 

[kiteman11]

Aw....he's just pissed off because the wireless transmitter he bought for his gtr didn't come with the cord that plugs into the gtr. Damn carvin made me wait three months for mine........

Dammit. You figured me out.

 

[Subcritical]

First off, I'm not sure if this belongs in NEPRT - sorry if it does.
I've got a bottle of the Yamaha shaft drive gear oil I purchased when I did the 600 mile service. I'm now at 16,000 miles and I need to change my pumpkin juice. Here's my question, the bottle of gear oil has been sitting in my shed for an entire year and seen a few 100* days and a few below freezing nights over the winter, will it still be ok to use, or should I just go buy another bottle?

I'm only concerned because I know you shouldn't let gasoline sit for extended periods of time without properly treating it. Thanks in advance.

If the cap has been on it, I'd use it. It probably sat longer than that in some warehouse after it was refined and before you bought it.

As long as there is no environmental contaminents (cap on) you should be good go IMHO.

 

[TellurideFJR]

I can test this oil for you free of charge! Send me the bottle and I will test for you and send it back. Only 499 ml are required for testing