How long does compressor oil last on shelf?

[PigeonMan]

Hey guys, I'm debating on buying a small 1 quart for $19 or going $65 for a gallon. I dont shoot much, maybe once in a while. So use my compressor maybe once a month so plan to change oil only once a year.

My question is, how long does these compressor oil last on the shelf unused? Do they have an expire date? If they last like 10 years if on the shelf then I will probably get the 1 gallon. If they have expire dates like 1-2 years then I rather go with 1 quart and just buy more when I need to change oil.

 

[hawkeye69]

From what I've read, 5 year shelf life is about the average. But it's always best to check with the mfg.

 

[WorriedMan]

PigeonMan,

Yeah, I did the math, too. My Yong Heng takes 10 ounces of oil, that means three annual oil changes per quart. Bulk buying saves money but just not worth it to me, I'll get another quart in three years, if circumstances haven't changed. WM

 

[JimD]

I was thinking of getting a gallon of the Nuvir 851 (?) I used in my YH but the quart I ordered initially gave me the initial fill + 2 changes with a little left over. So I'm thinking of another quart now. I also do not fill my bottle more than once most months so it doesn't get a lot of hours and once a year changes seem OK to me. I also have a radiator on my water bucket so the compressor never gets hotter than 60 C. I filled the bottle right before changing the oil recently - to thin it out a little so it would drain better. I took the 45 minute SCBA tank from about 3000 to about 300 bar. The oil was only slightly warm when I drained it. Just confirms the compressor is not getting overly hot to me.

Anyway, a quart at a time is my plan too.

 

[MikeVV]

For it "best" (I hate that word !) longevity, "in a sealed container" is...number one.

Number two is - In the age old...seal tightly and store in a cool dry location.

Three, do not put unused oil back into the original container. Use what you pour, discard the rest.

Unopened containers have been known to be in good condition 15 years after the manufactured date. Opened containers can go from 3 to 5 years...in a plastic bottle, sealed tightly and stored properly. In a metal or cardboard container, maybe a coupla years.

These are motor oil times. I'd imagine that most any lubricating oil will be similar. Brake fluid / hydraulic oil is NOT part of this timing.

Mike

 

[biohazardman]

I am with Worriedman three years, on one quart, is plenty long so it's all you probly need. Twelve years, on a gallon, is a bit of overkill and way past the shelf life of the oil.

 

[PigeonMan]

Ok thanks. Will just save some money and buy the 1 quart for $19.

 

[TN_Yankee]

I just ordered 2 quarts tonight, simply because of the small increase in shipping for 2 vs. 1.

 

[steve-l]

Compressor oil will last indefinitely, sealed or unsealed. There is no combustion product contamination. In use contaminating particulate will settle out to the oil sump and not stay in suspension like an automotive oil will do because there are dispersants added to the oil. Most compressor oils are diester synthetic oil not mineral oil, so they have a much higher temperature tolerance.