Rotella T6 oil solids separation - safe to use?

[krazykipa]

I bought a 5gal pail of Rotella T6 about two years back and used about 10qt of it for two oil changes back in the day. The rest has been left sitting in the pail for about 1.5yrs while I've been away from home, stored in the back corner of our garage. Recently (last week) I was due for another change, so used another 5qts. I happened to have more than a few empty 5qt oil jugs from our other cars saved up, so I took the pail and transferred the remaining oil into the empty jugs to make it easier to pour and store. Once I got to the last quart or two of oil in the pail, I noticed some solids had formed at the bottom - looks kind of like solidified bacon fat

Is this stuff still safe to use? Since the pail wasn't sealed I'm wondering if it's gone the equivalent of "rancid", or if the detergents have separated out from the oil and frozen. Maybe best to just discard these last couple quarts from the bottom? Hard to get a good pic inside the pail, but this is what I'm talking about:

 

[Andyinchville1]

HI,

I'm not an oil expert BUT that is NOT normal .

Usually oil only gets creamy looking if water gets to it (maybe condensation in the can over time or if left outside water got in the bung or something?

I'd be nervous using oil from there without knowing for sure what happened .... probably safest to use new oil.

Andrew

 

[Mongler98]

Imagine that getting sucked up against the pump intake pickup screen.
No thanks

 

[jayb79]

Looks like water got in there probably condensation. I wouldn't use it but, it probably won't hurt anything as long as it gets up to temp quickly and long enough to cook off the water.

 

[Pat Dolan]

What usually occurs over time standing still is additive "dropout" as some is only in suspension, not fully dissolved. BUT: that is usually a little "dusty" sediment - this looks like something altogether different and slimey. Wouldn't use it and would take a careful look at what you already poured off.

 

[taleAwaggin]

I'm cheap but I would delegate that for drill lube or something less critical.

 

[[486]]

I wouldn't worry about it
that sorta junk accumulates in the bottom of all bulk tanks, where's the tank drawn down from? yup the bottom

don't go outta your way to poke the poopoo into your motor, but don't feel too bad if some got in there

 

[Brokein2]

Skip using that in your car....delegate it to sex lube and move on.

Please don't let us know how it turned out.

 

[Friday1]

I was crewchief on a Pro Stock dragbike for 4 years. We had an oil sponsorship from Red Line Oil. We put a quart in the tranny that had been on the shelf for 2 years or so and in one run ruined the tranny. Gears were worn bad, easy to see upon removal of the tranny. I asked our helper if he saw anything in the oil as he poured it in. He said it was two distinctly different colors of blue. After that we shook all the Red Line Oil real good before pouring it in. I don't think it was any problem with the oil. Red Line is a great product. It just separated from sitting so long. After shaking all the Red Line tranny lube we never had another problem of any kind with the transmission.

 

[Nuje]

I know this is a stale thread, but just to chime in, I always give the oil jug a good shake to stir it up - not quite like a paint can that's been sitting for a year or whatever, but same idea. The oil is probably fine chemically - just gravity just separated out some stuff that's held in suspension

 

[740GLE]

I'm cheap but I would delegate that for drill lube or something less critical.

I was thinking it'b be suitable to blend in the fuel tank of an old IDI help keep the injector pump lubed.

That or it could be great bar and chain oil!

 

[turbobrick240]

It wouldn't be "great" bar and chain oil by any means, but that's probably how I'd use it. Good bar and chain oil (which most aren't) has a lot of tackiness that helps it keep adhered to the chain. When you pour a little out it should create a tail that stretches a foot or more.