Age of Diff Additive - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

J.C. · 05-16-2012, 07:19 PM

I'm going to be changing my diff oil and was going to buy the oil and additive when my dad was like "hold on, I've got a bottle of the additive you can have".

I checked it out and its the right part number, but the problem (maybe) is that its about 10 years old now. He had it left from when he used to change the gear oil in my grandparents Grand National (I know, pretty cool grandparents eh?). The additive looks to still be the same colour, but i did notice what looks like some small white crystals at the bottom of the bottle.

Is this still ok to use, or would the additive have degraded over time. Its been in his garage the whole time which stays cool in the winter and ambient in the summer. Would it be safer to just buy a new bottle or is it good to go? Thanks!

Synner · 05-16-2012, 07:51 PM

Hell no.

J.C. · 05-16-2012, 07:54 PM

lol! I know, my gut's telling me to buy a new bottle (and i probably will), but I was hoping someone had some info on what happens to oil or additives with age. Couldnt find anything when searching.

Synner · 05-16-2012, 07:58 PM

They will accumulate moisture and no oil lasts forever without breaking down.

HELL NO.

J.C. · 05-17-2012, 05:17 AM

Even when its been sealed the whole time? Not trying to be a jerk, just curious about the "science" of oil based products and what happens with age. Specifically the crystals that I'm seeing. Are they from the oil breaking down or some of the additives coming out of solution? Obviously the safest thing to do is spend the $10 and buy the new additive, but I'm just looking for some feedback from those who may know some of these answers.

Stingr69 · 05-17-2012, 10:08 AM

Bad economics to use any lubricant that is "questionable". You only need 1/2 of a tiny bottle and it is easy to purchase. Why would you even question buying a fresh bottle?

On the other hand, how bad could it be? If it does not work, you could just buy another bottle and install half of it.

Your call. :seesaw:

-Mark.

J.C. · 05-17-2012, 10:26 AM

Like I said before, I know the safest option is to buy a new bottle. Just thought someone would have some info on what happens to a sealed bottle of oil over time. I'm a geologist so the science part of me is interested!

You're right though, if I were to use it and it couldn't do it's job I would hear noise from the posi (like I'm hearing now - original fluid still) and add fresh stuff to fix the issue.

MMC · 05-17-2012, 12:29 PM

My guess its fine, How many cars on the road have 10 year old oil in the differential? I know both my truck do and both have an Eaton locking diff. and use the same additive. Just something that seperated out like an old can of paint. JMO

Synner · 05-17-2012, 03:42 PM

If you google shelf life of motor oil you will get technical info from amsoil, mobil 1, and others. The additive package can break down or separate from the oil. Most places recommend a 5 year shelf life that I know of.

J.C. · 05-17-2012, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synner

If you google shelf life of motor oil you will get technical info from amsoil, mobil 1, and others. The additive package can break down or separate from the oil. Most places recommend a 5 year shelf life that I know of.

Ok, makes sense. So the small white crystals I'm seeing are the additives that they put in coming out of solution. This bottle is definitely older than 5 years - more like 10 - so it's definitely not being used. Just wanted to hear the reasons for what I was seeing.

Thanks for the info, that's what I was looking for!

05-16-2012, 07:19 PM	#1
J.C. Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Victory Red Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Niagara Falls, Ontario Posts: 90	Age of Diff Additive I'm going to be changing my diff oil and was going to buy the oil and additive when my dad was like "hold on, I've got a bottle of the additive you can have". I checked it out and its the right part number, but the problem (maybe) is that its about 10 years old now. He had it left from when he used to change the gear oil in my grandparents Grand National (I know, pretty cool grandparents eh?). The additive looks to still be the same colour, but i did notice what looks like some small white crystals at the bottom of the bottle. Is this still ok to use, or would the additive have degraded over time. Its been in his garage the whole time which stays cool in the winter and ambient in the summer. Would it be safer to just buy a new bottle or is it good to go? Thanks!

05-17-2012, 12:29 PM	#8
MMC Drives: CGM 2SS/RS,2 Silverados,Impala3LT Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Spencerport, NY Posts: 729	My guess its fine, How many cars on the road have 10 year old oil in the differential? I know both my truck do and both have an Eaton locking diff. and use the same additive. Just something that seperated out like an old can of paint. JMO __________________

05-16-2012, 07:51 PM	#2
Synner Drives: 2011 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sandbox Posts: 2,157	Hell no.

05-16-2012, 07:54 PM	#3
J.C. Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Victory Red Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Niagara Falls, Ontario Posts: 90	lol! I know, my gut's telling me to buy a new bottle (and i probably will), but I was hoping someone had some info on what happens to oil or additives with age. Couldnt find anything when searching.

05-16-2012, 07:58 PM	#4
Synner Drives: 2011 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sandbox Posts: 2,157	They will accumulate moisture and no oil lasts forever without breaking down. HELL NO.

05-17-2012, 05:17 AM	#5
J.C. Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Victory Red Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Niagara Falls, Ontario Posts: 90	Even when its been sealed the whole time? Not trying to be a jerk, just curious about the "science" of oil based products and what happens with age. Specifically the crystals that I'm seeing. Are they from the oil breaking down or some of the additives coming out of solution? Obviously the safest thing to do is spend the $10 and buy the new additive, but I'm just looking for some feedback from those who may know some of these answers.

05-17-2012, 10:08 AM	#6
Stingr69 '69 Owned Since '79 Drives: '69 Z/28 LeMans Blue w/White Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: LR AR Posts: 1,417 View My Garage	Bad economics to use any lubricant that is "questionable". You only need 1/2 of a tiny bottle and it is easy to purchase. Why would you even question buying a fresh bottle? On the other hand, how bad could it be? If it does not work, you could just buy another bottle and install half of it. Your call. :seesaw: -Mark.

05-17-2012, 10:26 AM	#7
J.C. Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Victory Red Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Niagara Falls, Ontario Posts: 90	Like I said before, I know the safest option is to buy a new bottle. Just thought someone would have some info on what happens to a sealed bottle of oil over time. I'm a geologist so the science part of me is interested! You're right though, if I were to use it and it couldn't do it's job I would hear noise from the posi (like I'm hearing now - original fluid still) and add fresh stuff to fix the issue.

05-17-2012, 03:42 PM	#9
Synner Drives: 2011 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sandbox Posts: 2,157	If you google shelf life of motor oil you will get technical info from amsoil, mobil 1, and others. The additive package can break down or separate from the oil. Most places recommend a 5 year shelf life that I know of.