Oil Re-use ???

[55 Fargo]

Hi all, I have to drain my fresh oil, it has a bout a 150 miles on it.

I need to put on a drain plug gasket on the pan, it has a drip.

Can I or should I re-use this fresh oil, maybe filter it through a screen. Or should I open the wallet and start again with fresh stuff?..........Thanx Fred

[michael.warshaw]

open wallet and buy new oil.

[55 Fargo]

open wallet and buy new oil.

Michael, please state reasons, as I don't open the wallet that easily?

[aero3113]

I had a few leaks when I replaced my pan and wanted to fix them. I had put new oil in. I bought a new plastic bucket and drained the oil into it. When I went to reuse the oil I used a paint filter in the oil fill neck, you can also use a coffee filter. There is no reason why you can't reuse your oil,just make sure you keep it clean.

[claybill]

molecularly oil breaks down with extended use...oil also collects engine particles. 150 miles?...just let it settle overnight or strain it and it should be good.

bill

[Captain Neon]

I'd be concerned about condensation oxidizing the additives greatly reducing its lubricating qualities and emulsifying your oil turning it into the consistency of a milk shake.

I had less miles on my Neon's oil, but after setting all winter, I changed it this spring for that reason. The change intervals on oil are 3000 miles or 3 months due to the tendency for oil to oxidize once it is opened.

If it just came out of the bottle a few weeks ago, then it is fine.

Edited March 22, 2010 by Captain Neon

[Young Ed]

Fred is this the oil you just put in when you changed the pan gasket? If so drain into something absolutely clean and reuse.

[greg g]

Pull the plug put the new gasket on and put the plug back in, then pour whatever oil came out during the process back in. If you want to strain it through something go ahead. In todays economy it is not wise to throw money away. 150 mile oil is still virgin.

[JIPJOBXX]

Does anyone here remember buying reused oil at the service station oil rack? This was the oil that was left in a can and placed upside down in a special part of the oil rack stand and dripped into a glass bottle inside the rack? We use this oil to make up for any losses we might occur on a shift at the gas station I worked at when I was a young guy. Jon

[RobertKB]

Fred, reuse it as it is fresh with only 150 recent miles on it.

[P-12 Tommy]

Does anyone here remember buying reused oil at the service station oil rack? This was the oil that was left in a can and placed upside down in a special part of the oil rack stand and dripped into a glass bottle inside the rack? We use this oil to make up for any losses we might occur on a shift at the gas station I worked at when I was a young guy. Jon

Oh yeah, back in Ohio in the early 70's my buddy worked at a Falcon station and they did that exact thing. 10 cents a quart.

Tom

[michael.warshaw]

Because how much could oil cost? WHEN I HAD MY TWIN TWIN TURBO NISSAN, I CHANGED MY OIL EVERY 200 MILES, BUT THAT WAS A 1200 HP PRO STREET CAR. ITS NOT LIKE TAKING THE MOTOR OUT, ITS PUTTING FRESH OIL IN, HOW MUCH COULD IT COST?

[maurice wade]

We are not talking rocket science here, keep the oil clean and put it back in.

[55 Fargo]

Because how much could oil cost? WHEN I HAD MY TWIN TWIN TURBO NISSAN, I CHANGED MY OIL EVERY 200 MILES, BUT THAT WAS A 1200 HP PRO STREET CAR. ITS NOT LIKE TAKING THE MOTOR OUT, ITS PUTTING FRESH OIL IN, HOW MUCH COULD IT COST?

Okay Michael beofre you get yourself in a "tither", I was able to unscrew the drain plug and quickly swap in another, lost maybe 2 ounces of oil.

Michael this ain't no 1200 hp race engine, there is only 150 miles on fresh Shell Rotella T 15 W 40 oil, and new filter, okay.

All is okay, still a slight drip, could be a leak in pan around drain plug area, not gonna worry too much, will get another pan , and swap....Fred PS got any pics of the aforementioned Nissan

[55 Fargo]

Hi Rob, mentioned after Michael Warshaw's post, was able to quickly uncrew the drain plug , and place another in, only lost a couple of ounces of oil.

Still dripping, slightly, must be a leak in the pan around drain plug, will monitor, and pull a pan for this........Fred

[greg g]

Is the plug leaking or the pan itself? Clean it up real good and take a close look with a good LED flashlight or work light. You may be able to plug the leak with some epoxy coating until you can address it properly.

[55 Fargo]

Is the plug leaking or the pan itself? Clean it up real good and take a close look with a good LED flashlight or work light. You may be able to plug the leak with some epoxy coating until you can address it properly.

Hi Greg, not sure, I used an old copper gasket on the drain plug, waiting for a new nylon type to come in from NAPA.

I can't tell if it is the drain plug seeping or not.

The good news is my pan gasket and the seals are not leaking.

How critical is it to have a fresh drain plug gasket to prevent seeping?

[Uncle-Pekka]

Ca. ten yrs back I attended at a product training by Neste Fortum oil company related to my job. In one of the sessions a research engineer told us about a field test they did in end of 90's. They tested their new heavy duty synthetic motor oil for diesel engines in the buses of Tampere city. They ran the same oil for 300 000 kms (ca. 180 000 miles) in a couple of city buses, they only changed the filters after every 30 000 kms and took a sample for analysis. They found more and more of molecular breaks during the time, but he claimed, that the oil was good to maintain sufficient film between surfaces even after the 300 000 kms test. The filters were good enough to pick out all harmful burning residues and dirt particles. After that I've been running a good quality synthetic 5W50 oil in my daily drivers for 20 000 kms between changes - never had an engine problem ever.

[greg g]

Usually the plug leaks are caused by stronger than smart rack jockeys that overtighten the pluga s gaul the threads or the mating surface between the plug and the pan. Or they have cross threaded it. Gaskets might help but don't squees them too hard. Snug and then a quarter turn more should be fine.

Pekka a fellow told me years ago that the lubricating properties of oil do not deteriorate with age, but that the impurities are what cause the problem. I have been changing my conventional oils with a new filter at 5000 to 7000 miles, usually closer to 7. I have routinely put over 100 K miles on our family cars with no oil related failures.

Most owners manuals suggest 3K changes for vehicle in severe service. I don't not consider normal driving on paved roads sever service. If you can run a diesel bus for 300k kilos, 7K i a lightly used car is a walk in the park.

Arguing about oil is akin to arguing politics and religion, you are arguing against ingrained personal beliefs, and no of facts or evidence to the contrary will change most minds.

[Don Coatney]

Arguing about oil is akin to arguing politics and religion, you are arguing against ingrained personal beliefs, and no of facts or evidence to the contrary will change most minds.

Well said Greg;

Oil manufactures will tell you to change your oil every 3,000 miles because they can then sell more oil. Car manufactures will tell you to change your oil every 3,000 miles so they can sell more services and possibly avoid law suits should an engine fail and no proof of an oil change can be documented.

As I have said before, you can buy your dog a diamond studded food bowl and think your dog will love it. But fact is your dog will like his food just as well if fed on the ground. But buying the diamond studded food bowl gives the dogs owner a degree of comfort. And buying a new diamond studded food bowl every 200 or 3,000 meals will give the owner a much higher comfort level.

Fred;

Use your used oil as there is nothing wrong with it.

[michael.warshaw]

no pics but here is what it looked like http://www.theautolog.com/uploads/tylerlieberman/2620/1998-Nissan-240sx-721.jpg

[55 Fargo]

no pics but here is what it looked like http://www.theautolog.com/uploads/tylerlieberman/2620/1998-Nissan-240sx-721.jpg

Michael, you had a car like this and no pics:rolleyes:........

[55 Fargo]

Well said Greg;

Oil manufactures will tell you to change your oil every 3,000 miles because they can then sell more oil. Car manufactures will tell you to change your oil every 3,000 miles so they can sell more services and possibly avoid law suits should an engine fail and no proof of an oil change can be documented.

As I have said before, you can buy your dog a diamond studded food bowl and think your dog will love it. But fact is your dog will like his food just as well if fed on the ground. But buying the diamond studded food bowl gives the dogs owner a degree of comfort. And buying a new diamond studded food bowl every 200 or 3,000 meals will give the owner a much higher comfort level.

Fred;

Use your used oil as there is nothing wrong with it.

Hi Don, I agree with what your saying, using my current oil.

I still have a drain plug leak, the gasket is old a little beat-up. I am going to try a new drain gasket tomorrow, maybe it will work. I can see it is leaking around the draiin plug, and nowhere else........Fred

[Flatie46]

Does anyone here remember buying reused oil at the service station oil rack? This was the oil that was left in a can and placed upside down in a special part of the oil rack stand and dripped into a glass bottle inside the rack? We use this oil to make up for any losses we might occur on a shift at the gas station I worked at when I was a young guy. Jon

I used to work at a chevy dealer detailing cars when I was 16. I had this buddy that worked with me, he had a '68 chevy truck with a really worn 307 in it. It was using alot of oil and we didn't make much money. One day a mechanic offered him some low mileage used oil to put in it. From then on everytime he got low he'd go hit him up and he was saving his cash. One friday night all the mechanics were gone, it was the weekend and his truck was dry. He went walkin through the shop and found a pan full and poured it in the truck. He told me later when he pulled up to the first red light the smell hit him. He had filled it with old gear lube and it stunk something awful. Took three weeks to burn it all out. You could smell when he pulled in to work everyday. Everytime someone mentions used oil I think about that. Now he did say it felt like it had more power.

[55 Fargo]

Bought some nylon drain plug gaskets at NAPA, think they are way to thick though. Anybody have any idea what is the correct gasket for the oil drain plug.

I have a bit of a leak coming from it now......HELP