Duckhams Oil (Out of Date?)

lo zio · Mar 20, 2015

Hello,

about 5 years ago I had bought some Duckhams mineral W20-50 oil for my Commando and my T110. Now, I have some questions for you guys:

1) Is it safe to use it after 5 or 6 years. Does the oil go "out of date"? it has been stored in a dark place.
2) Is this oil still produced?
3) Is Duckhams quality and Castrol (mineral W20-50) quality comparable?

Many thanks,

lo zio

kommando · Mar 20, 2015

1) Is it safe to use it after 5 or 6 years. Does the oil go "out of date"? it has been stored in a dark place.

Oil does not go off unless its heated, as it will be in an engine so dark place at normal temps no issue.

2) Is this oil still produced?

Without seeing the container and the API spec its been made to I have no idea but older oils have more zinc than current ones which is good for Norton cams.

3) Is Duckhams quality and Castrol (mineral W20-50) quality comparable?

Duckhams were the originators of multi grade oils as Q20/50, seem to remember Castrol on their Classics range are light on info as to what's in them so faced with the choice I would go Duckhams.

http://www.realclassic.co.uk/techfiles/oil030319.html

Danno · Mar 20, 2015

I have no experience with Duckham's oil, but I would think it's still good despite long storage.

Hobot · Mar 20, 2015

The oil and its additive package don't exactly go bad but I've had famous hi end multi-grade that old which separated to rather thin layers over STP like gooey layer - which put me off putting in my Nortons but figured my lawn mower could remix it happiliy ever after.

Bernhard · Mar 20, 2015

I couldn’t tell you if the oil has gone off, no doubt it has a shelf life, the only people who would have this information is Duckhams them self’s – you could do your own crude test, dip a finger into the oil and see if it is still fresh and hasn’t gone off.

As someone said Duckhams is now, along with Castrol, owned by BP.
Reading the shareholder bumph I was sent, it seems they are currently actively marketing Castrol (Edge and Magnatec) for their Synthetic and Semi Synthetic motor car oils in the UK.
Whether they will actively market the Duckhams name in the UK goodness knows.
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/ ... tm?t=65993

Frankie17 · Mar 20, 2015

mineral and synthetic oils if kept in a clean sealed container should be good for many years

the only oil with shelf life is castor based oil

Anonymous · Mar 20, 2015

Ask the company for the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
Review for storage conditions and timeframes - question the company if inconclusive or absent.
Don't put your finger in oil / fuel / other chemicals.

Triton Thrasher · Mar 21, 2015

hobot said:
The oil and its additive package don't exactly go bad but I've had famous hi end multi-grade that old which separated to rather thin layers over STP like gooey layer - which put me off putting in my Nortons but figured my lawn mower could remix it happiliy ever after.

Yeah, I've seen new oil that has separated out in the can.

Was Duckhams 20W/50 still on the market 5 years ago? How old is this oil really?

gripper · Mar 21, 2015

Valid point Triton, I haven't seen Duckhams 20:50 for at least 10 years. But if it's only going in a Norton, crack on.

pete.v · Mar 21, 2015

This oil has been unavailable since around 2009. Whether it is good or not seems like a lame thought. Why would you what to chance it. Even if it is still good, it won't be as good as new oil available. Oils consistantly improve and to use a 6 year old oil, that I believe has a 4 to 5 year shelf life, you would lose out on any available advantages that have been implamented since.

There is no less than a dozen plus good quality dino oils readily availble. Don't put that old crap in your priceless possession. Bring it with you to the auto parts store to pour it in their recycle bin when you pick up your fresh stuff.

Don't skrimp on your engines vital fluid.

lo zio · Mar 23, 2015

thanks everone for the hints (even if I am still a bit confused)

Hobot · Mar 23, 2015

i've various brands of oil stored over a decade for Y2K, full synthetic to hi end refined natural oil with maxed out additive packages of that era so find only my single grade 2 smoke oil and non detergent 30 wt cheap oil has not separted out into layers with a STP like gooey layer at bottom. i've put it in car and mower no problemo but have not put in my cycles as pensive might not mix up well again. I've not looked at these sites so if ya don't let me know the summary of new old oil storage factors. So folks collect unopened oil jugs so might start your own.
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=do ... 20go%20bad

Duckhams Oil (Out of Date?)

lo zio

kommando

Danno

Hobot

Bernhard

Frankie17

Anonymous

Guest

Triton Thrasher

gripper

pete.v

lo zio

Hobot

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