New old oil?
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Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 52
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From: Illinois
New old oil?
I bought a 2003 fat boy from a gentleman. The oil needed changing and he had the oil and oil filter already for the bike,so he gave it to me. I ended up changing the oil and filter and primary oil. I was told today by a dealer that the packaging for that syn 3 he gave me has not been around for more than 8 years and that i needed to replace it immediately. What do you guys think?
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Joined: May 2012
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From: Carlsbad, CA
I’d run it enough to get it warmed up, as essentially using it to clean the motor that hasn’t likely had an oils change for a while. Then change it, with fresh oil. But, I’m not sure I’d use synthetic in a motor that old.
did the bike need and oil change for the past 8 years. did it sit for that long with she same dirty oil in it?
Last edited by 1999 flstf; Mar 12, 2021 at 07:18 AM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 1,356
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From: U.S
The oil goes bad? I find that hard to believe, without doing a bunch of internet searching I'd think the service guys just want to sell more oil.
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: San Diego, CA
I'm sure the oil itself doesn't "go bad", but I suspect the various additives (detergents, dispersants, and viscosity improvers, etc) in the oil will lose their effectiveness over time..... While the oil is protected against oxidation, moisture, and high heat degradation while it is in a sealed container... many of the additives are designed to deplete over time...
"Replace it immediately"....? Hogwash, I seriously doubt your engine will seize-up up because of 8 year old oil... I suspect it would be more like running a non-detergent oil in it.... racers use non-detergent oils all the time, but their additive packages are fresh and they change it after every race.. (Motul 300V)
Oil & filters are cheap enough that I would change it... but If you decide to run it for awhile, I'd change it at 2500 miles and/or before putting it up winter... just like we did way back when the oils (additive packages) weren't as robust as they are today...
Enjoy the new bike...!
"Replace it immediately"....? Hogwash, I seriously doubt your engine will seize-up up because of 8 year old oil... I suspect it would be more like running a non-detergent oil in it.... racers use non-detergent oils all the time, but their additive packages are fresh and they change it after every race.. (Motul 300V)
Oil & filters are cheap enough that I would change it... but If you decide to run it for awhile, I'd change it at 2500 miles and/or before putting it up winter... just like we did way back when the oils (additive packages) weren't as robust as they are today...
Enjoy the new bike...!
Last edited by hattitude; Mar 12, 2021 at 09:27 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,173
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From: South Carolina
Several years ago Blackstone Labs ran an article about testing old oil (it was so old it was in cans) that they bought on ebay.
They said that all of the old stuff they tested was fine.
I wouldn`t hesitate to use old oil, as long as the container was still sealed.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Mar 12, 2021 at 12:14 PM.
