How long is oil good sitting in an engine?

Oil that sits unused in an engine for an extended period can start to degrade, leading to potential performance issues and increased wear when the engine is started up again. However, how long oil can remain sitting in an engine before problems occur depends on several factors.

The basics of oil degradation

All motor oils will slowly deteriorate over time, even when not being used. The base oil itself can oxidize when exposed to air, heat, and contaminants, leading to increased viscosity and acidity. Important additives that help keep the oil properly lubricated can also start to break down.

When oil sits still in an engine, a couple of different degradation processes can occur:

  • Oxidation – Contact with oxygen in the air causes the oil molecules to react, increasing viscosity.
  • Thermal degradation – Exposure to heat, even ambient temperatures, accelerates chemical changes in the oil over time.
  • Contamination – Built up deposits, fuel or water dilution, or mixing with dirt and debris make the oil less effective.
  • Additive depletion – Important additives that prevent wear, rust, foaming and other problems slowly get used up.

The longer oil sits without being used, the more these detrimental processes can take place. However, the rate depends on the storage conditions.

Key factors that affect oil sitting in an engine

There are a few major variables that determine how quickly motor oil degrades when sitting idle in an engine:

Oil type and quality

Higher quality motor oils with more effective additive packages inherently have better stability and resistance to thermal breakdown and contamination over time. Full synthetics oils in particular have better durability than conventional oils when not in use.

Storage temperature

The ambient temperature oil is exposed to is one of the most important factors. Warmer storage temperatures greatly accelerate the chemical changes in oil over time. Storage in very hot conditions can seriously degrade oil in just a few months.

Engine temperature when oil was put in

If oil is left sitting in an engine that was not fully warmed up when the oil was changed, there is increased moisture contamination from condensation as the engine cools down. This significantly reduces the oil’s durability when left idle.

Engine type and condition

Certain engine designs and conditions promote faster oil degradation when not run. Engines that get very hot internally will thermally stress the oil more when shut off. Existing sludge buildup or contamination also promotes faster oxidation.

Length of time sitting

The most basic factor is simply how long the oil has been sitting stationary in the engine without being run. The longer the time period, the more opportunity for contamination, additive depletion, and viscosity increases to occur.

How usage affects oil degradation

It’s important to understand that oil sitting in an engine degrades through different mechanisms than oil that is being actively used. Running the engine introduces stresses like combustion byproducts and high temperatures that also affect oil condition and performance.

Used motor oil actually shows relatively minimal viscosity changes and acid formation. The primary causes of oil breakdown during normal engine operation are soot contamination, fuel dilution, and additive depletion through the constant shear forces inside the engine.

Therefore, the length of time oil has been sitting is separate criteria from how many miles the oil has been used when assessing if an oil change is due. Oil can go bad from extended sitting before reaching the typical 3,000-5,000 mile oil change intervals used for engines in regular use.

General guidelines for oil sitting in an engine

Given all the variables that affect how long oil can remain viable in an unused engine, specific time limits cannot be definitively prescribed. However, these general guidelines apply when considering oil that has been sitting:

  • Conventional oil – Change before 6 months of sitting
  • Synthetic blend oil – Change before 9 months of sitting
  • Full synthetic oil – Change before 12 months of sitting
  • Make sure engine is warmed up before original oil change
  • Store engine is cool, consistent temperature area
  • Properly seal air intake and exhaust to minimize contamination

Oil older than 12 months that has been sitting in an engine should be changed before attempting to start or run the engine, regardless of oil type. Attempting to run an engine on badly oxidized oil can cause serious wear, deposits, and sludge formation.

Testing oil condition

If you are unsure of the service history of a vehicle with oil sitting for a long period, there are a few simple ways to assess the oil’s condition:

Appearance

Check the color and opacity of the oil on the dipstick. Oil that appears very dark or black, or is opaque rather than translucent, points to excessive oxidation, soot contamination, or fuel dilution. Heavily contaminated oil should not be used.

Rub test

Rub a drop of the oil between your fingers and check for grittiness or stickiness. Gritty texture means solid particulates and debris contamination. Oils that feel tacky suggest fuel or soot dilution. Heavily contaminated oils as indicated by these simple hands-on tests should be changed.

Oil analysis

Used oil analysis provides the most definitive assessment of oil condition and remaining useful life. It measures key indicators like viscosity, acidity, additive levels, contamination, and presence of any metals or fuel dilution. However, this detailed lab testing is more useful for proactively maximizing oil change intervals rather than evaluating old oil.

Steps when putting engine back into use

If you need to start up an engine that has been sitting idle with oil in it for an extended but unknown period, proceed with caution. Here are smart steps to prevent any potential engine damage or wear when putting it back into use:

  1. Test the oil first if possible using the methods above
  2. Change oil and filter if condition is compromised or unknown
  3. Inspect other fluids – coolant, power steering, brake, transmission
  4. Disconnect fuel line and check for corrosion
  5. Inspect battery charge and cables
  6. Check belt condition – replace cracked or glazed belts
  7. Check air filter for dirt or oil saturation
  8. Fill empty fuel tank with fresh fuel
  9. Consider cleaning injectors/carburetor if extreme sitting period
  10. Change oil again after initial 50-100 miles of operation

Taking these precautionary steps will help ensure all systems are functioning properly and minimize engine stress as you get it back on the road. Be alert those initial miles for any signs of oil or engine issues.

Conclusion

Oil sitting unused in an engine inevitably declines in performance properties and lubrication effectiveness over time. However, the rate of degradation depends greatly on the quality of the oil, storage conditions, engine condition, and length of sitting time. With lower quality oils, warmer ambient temperatures, contaminated engines, and sitting periods over 12 months, it is crucial to change the oil and follow proper startup protocols to prevent accelerated wear.

Synthetic oils that are stored properly in a relatively clean engine can potentially last up to 1-2 years before needing to be changed out if the vehicle was unused. But as a general rule, oil older than 12 months that has been sitting stationary should be changed as preventive maintenance when looking to use that engine again.

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