Shelf life of 2-stroke oil

[RalfL]

How long on average can 2-stroke oil be in the tank as well as in a sealed container before it goes bad? TIA!

 

[Frame Maker]

I'm not sure if this will answer your question (which would be better posted in the "garage" sub-forum)...

In college I took an intro to automobile engineering class. We had a discussion about motor oils. Our instructor suggested that motor doesn't "wear out". It only needs to be changes because it gets contaminated. Contaminates come from carbon buildup inside the engine, but also from airborne contamination.

So, I would guess that 2-stroke oil in a sealed container would not go bad over time.

 

[Maddevill]

∆∆∆ This

Mad

 

[ScottRNelson]

Our instructor suggested that motor doesn't "wear out". It only needs to be changes because it gets contaminated.

Not valid for motorcycle engines where the same oil also lubricates the transmission. The gears tend to shear longer molecules into shorter ones.

I would expect 2-stroke oil to have a very long shelf life. Google indicates 4-5 years in a sealed container and maybe 2 years once opened.

 

[amockalypsenow]

It's strange to think of oil going "off" when past its "use by date", considering how long it took to make it (millions of years possibly). I doubt it goes rancid, and would happily season my bike with older oil. OTOH, it's cheap and easy to change out.

 

[ctwo]

I need to check if I still have them, oil in a tin can from ~50 years ago. You remember the spout you'd push into the can? Here

 

[bcj]

Moto Church Key

As long as you haven't left the top off the oil and allowed dust and moths to fall in, it should still be fine.