Turbine Oil Expiration???
09-01-2018, 02:00 PM
#1
Turbine Oil Expiration???
As many of you here know, I pretty much stopped flying turbines actively back in the Spring of 2003 due to the Columbia accident and its recovery and then Katrina. I flew once in a while, but never returned to my former level of activity. Well, as soon as I sell this other house, I intend to start flying more, hopefully next year.
As we were clearing out the garage, I found 19 quarts of turbine oil that I bought, by the case, back in the 2001 to 2003 era. Most is BP and a few Exxon, all with the green label.
Does this stuff expire, go bad? Each can looks in great shape and is sealed. I can find no explicit expiration date printed on the cans. There are some code numbers embossed on the top/bottom. Are these codes that represent expiration? Is there some other way to tell? or is this stuff good until our sun goes red-giant in 4.5 billion years? Thanks.
As we were clearing out the garage, I found 19 quarts of turbine oil that I bought, by the case, back in the 2001 to 2003 era. Most is BP and a few Exxon, all with the green label.
Does this stuff expire, go bad? Each can looks in great shape and is sealed. I can find no explicit expiration date printed on the cans. There are some code numbers embossed on the top/bottom. Are these codes that represent expiration? Is there some other way to tell? or is this stuff good until our sun goes red-giant in 4.5 billion years? Thanks.
09-01-2018, 04:42 PM
#4
'Do not know about jet oil specifically but IC motor oil for your car is different. Additives may precipitate out over time. Oil bottles of older automotive motor oil often have dark stuff lining the bottom of the container. I see that you live in LA. 'Not usually a problem but oil tends to thicken and form waxes and sludge especially when experiencing cold temperatures over a northern winter in a garage. I would not use it. And mixing oils of different brands, even in the same brand that has a formulation change over the years is a no-no.
AEHaas
AEHaas
09-01-2018, 04:49 PM
#5
As pointed out, I live down here where it is nasty hot most of the time. So it never really got cold. Sounds like shaking the can up well prior to mixing with kero would take care of any separation of components. Sounds like it should be good!!!
09-02-2018, 04:34 AM
#6
If your cans are still unopened I think you should be ok considering our dilution and total loss application. The oil went from Exxon to BP then Eastman. Exxon/BP cans had the manufacture date stamped on the end cap. Eastman now stamps both the manufacture and use by dates. 2380 recommendation is 4 years, but I'm pretty sure it used to be 10 like 2197 is. I found an old BP data sheet that states "The shelf life of BP Turbo Oil 2380 can extend beyond four years when stored in original, unopened quart cans under recommended storage conditions, i.e. in a well ventilated and covered area away from extreme heat and moisture etc." Here is the current Eastman shelf life info...
https://www.eastman.com/Brands/EAS/R...helf-Life.aspx
https://www.eastman.com/Brands/EAS/R...helf-Life.aspx
09-02-2018, 12:53 PM
#8
Originally Posted by aehaas
'Do not know about jet oil specifically but IC motor oil for your car is different. Additives may precipitate out over time. Oil bottles of older automotive motor oil often have dark stuff lining the bottom of the container. I see that you live in LA. 'Not usually a problem but oil tends to thicken and form waxes and sludge especially when experiencing cold temperatures over a northern winter in a garage. I would not use it. And mixing oils of different brands, even in the same brand that has a formulation change over the years is a no-no.
AEHaas
AEHaas
The only one I'd stay away from for our model Turbine engines, and guys I know who've used it for years still swear by it, is AeroShell 500. Some companies like KingTech will void your engine warranty for using that stuff.
03-12-2020, 07:41 PM
#10
Originally Posted by Zeeb
Turbine oil is nothing like automotive engine oil unless you opt for the 100% synthetic stuff, and they both lubricate. Turbine engines in full scale aircraft have some pretty demanding oil requirements including the fact that you do not mix brands once the engine is in service e;g; the 2380 (which I will probably refer to as "Exxon" for the rest of my life because that's who made it when I was using Turbine oil all the time) if it needs oil, you do not put in something like Mobile Jet II. The brand can only be changed at engine overhaul to make sure the engine is totally clean of the previous oil.
The only one I'd stay away from for our model Turbine engines, and guys I know who've used it for years still swear by it, is AeroShell 500. Some companies like KingTech will void your engine warranty for using that stuff.
The only one I'd stay away from for our model Turbine engines, and guys I know who've used it for years still swear by it, is AeroShell 500. Some companies like KingTech will void your engine warranty for using that stuff.
long story short, you can mix exxon 2380 and Mobil jet II, no problem. In fact, they are both the same mil spec. And in fact, we switched from 2380 to Mobil jet II practically overnight, no 'engine overhaul' required.
Last edited by bodywerks; 03-12-2020 at 07:45 PM.
03-13-2020, 04:47 PM
#11
Well I worked for a company that provided a LOT of air ambulances both rotor wing and fixed wing, around the country and world. We were an overhaul facility for Garrett, AeroSpatial, Pratt, Alison and TurboMeca. All our fixed wing stuff ran BP 2380 and all the rotor wing stuff used Mobil jet II.
We were told that mixing the two was absolutely prohibited unless in and emergency. If that happened, the engine oil was to be changed at the first practical opportunity.
If a mechanic cannot determine if a turbine engine needs oil, or what oil, he 'ought to be fired.
We were told that mixing the two was absolutely prohibited unless in and emergency. If that happened, the engine oil was to be changed at the first practical opportunity.
If a mechanic cannot determine if a turbine engine needs oil, or what oil, he 'ought to be fired.
Last edited by Zeeb; 03-13-2020 at 04:49 PM.
