Liquid Engineering

[AntStark]

Just picked this up free off a local FB page..still 3.5litres left in it
Remember the classic ‘drip’ advert
Must be late 80s, early 90s?

..and no, I’m not going to use it

 

[Stevo7682]

A classic can and a classic advertising campaign.
Does it have a use by date or a made on date.
May tell you how old it potentially is and yes your 100% right not to use it ( apart from the fact you dont know exactly what it is probably is old Castrol but you never know ) new engine oil only good for 5 years

Stephen.

 

[AntStark]

The container at least is Jan 1990. Not that I would use it but it’s completely the wrong grade anyway.

 

[Stevo7682]

You'd have to imagine that the oil would be of a similar age.

Back then castrol did exceed the standard for a number of engines.
Before that again it would be good for pretty much anything not like now.
In my work we have a big oil rack we get oil delivered in 20 litre cubes all Mobil they fit in rack with tap on front
We now keep around 15 different types of oil for the various types of petrol , diesel and hybrid cars out there oails have came a long way and are very specific now.
Stephen.

 

[Pond]

Just picked this up free off a local FB page..still 3.5litres left in it
Remember the classic ‘drip’ advert
Must be late 80s, early 90s?
View attachment 309251
..and no, I’m not going to use it

Sorry but have to ask.....what do you want it for?

 

[Toby]

I've still got a 25l drum of good ole 15 / 40 mineral oil from way back 1990 era sat in the garage.
Still gets used for anything that needs a bit of slippy doing - and have an old leccy chainsaw that happily drinks it when in use.

However happy to let it go if someone wants to purchase

 

[Ian&Sue]

I can't match a 25l drum but I have got the best part of a gallon of Unipart 15/50 from around 1991.

 

[GZed]

A classic can and a classic advertising campaign.
Does it have a use by date or a made on date.
May tell you how old it potentially is and yes your 100% right not to use it ( apart from the fact you dont know exactly what it is probably is old Castrol but you never know ) new engine oil only good for 5 years
View attachment 309253

Stephen.

What makes new oil in a sealed container go ‘off’? It’s hardly biodegradable, synthetic oils even less so. Container should protect it from UV degradation, especially if kept indoors?
No contaminants in it to cause adverse reactions, it’s not subject to heat or mechanical degradation. So why?

 

[TJS]

"Castrol GTX Liquid Engineering" also needs the music from the TV ads.

The horns of the 2nd movement from Gustav Mahler's 7th Symphony "Song of the Night / Nachtmusic"

 

[Pingu]

What makes new oil in a sealed container go ‘off’? It’s hardly biodegradable, synthetic oils even less so. Container should protect it from UV degradation, especially if kept indoors?
No contaminants in it to cause adverse reactions, it’s not subject to heat or mechanical degradation. So why?

Because the label says so

Honey has a best before and a use by date, even though it will never go off if kept sealed.

 

[Stevo7682]

What makes new oil in a sealed container go ‘off’? It’s hardly biodegradable, synthetic oils even less so. Container should protect it from UV degradation, especially if kept indoors?
No contaminants in it to cause adverse reactions, it’s not subject to heat or mechanical degradation. So why?

Now dont quote me on this as its just subjective.
Possibly due to the chemical chains breaking down within the molecules over time therefore rendering the lubricant effect less efficient.
I get what your saying makes perfect sense.
So i would like to think manufacturer's put this on their products for a reason other than wanting to sell you more oil every 5 years.
Stephen.

 

[Stevo7682]

View: https://youtu.be/384CsvbMGO4?si=gvxCA6tJTU3t8mQj

 

[GZed]

Now dont quote me on this as its just subjective.
Possibly due to the chemical chains breaking down within the molecules over time therefore rendering the lubricant effect less efficient.
I get what your saying makes perfect sense.
So i would like to think manufacturer's put this on their products for a reason other than wanting to sell you more oil every 5 years.
Stephen.

Hmmmm, maybe cation exchange? But that’s a guess. Any materials scientists on here that might know?

 

[Synclare]

.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Seems surprising that stuff made out of dinosaur juice goes off. That's progress for you.

 

[Tony Francis]

Just picked this up free off a local FB page..still 3.5litres left in it
Remember the classic ‘drip’ advert
Must be late 80s, early 90s?
..and no, I’m not going to use it

You’ll get a few quid for that at the next car boot or autojumble

 

[Stevo7682]

Seems surprising that stuff made out of dinosaur juice goes off. That's progress for you.

I dont know if mineral oil will go off at same rate thats partly why i originally asked if it had a date.
Most modern oils now are fully synthetic so not made from the same type of dinosaur juice a lot of manmade intervention in production of final product this is probably why synthetics have a shelf life.
Stephen.

 

[John_B]

Maybe a liability issue? Perhaps they had tested/proved the product maintains sufficient quality after 5 years but weren't prepared to stake their reputation on it going beyond that or indefinitely?

 

[TJS]

It’s surprising what people collect.

Lot 276 - Quantity of Castrol Oil and Grease Cans

Lot 276 - Quantity of Castrol Oil and Grease Cans

www.handh.co.uk

Lot 250 - Three Castrol 5-Gallon Oil Drums

Lot 250 - Three Castrol 5-Gallon Oil Drums

www.handh.co.uk

Lot 278 - Six Castrol Oil Cans

Lot 278 - Six Castrol Oil Cans

www.handh.co.uk

The Christine Hodges Petroliana Sale

Search for classic car, motorcycle and automobilia lots consigned to our auctions.

www.handh.co.uk

 

[the Nefyn cat]

"petroliana"? That'll be the thing I had to learn today.