gt14rider 1,233 #1 Posted Wednesday at 11:26 PM H I all, found some ATF under a bench , how long is it good for unopened. I figure it's about 25 to 30 years old. Am I just to cheap to throw it away. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adsm08 4,771 #2 Posted Wednesday at 11:33 PM The consensus seems to be 3 to 5 years, even in the bottle. And it's "too cheap." 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 79,581 #3 Posted Wednesday at 11:33 PM (edited) On 7/15/2026 at 7:26 PM, gt14rider said: throw it away. Toss it. Engine oil and gear oil has been proven to be non usable after 3 to 5 years. The anti foaming agents are out if suspension by then. If ATF has similar agents.... it's trash. And... WHY chance it. No sense taking a chance in ruining equipment. Edited 8 hours ago by ebinmaine 2 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gt14rider 1,233 #5 Posted yesterday at 12:45 AM Turned in to the dump. Thanks for the advice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 20,186 #6 Posted yesterday at 12:56 AM 9 minutes ago, gt14rider said: Turned in to the dump. Thanks for the advice. You could have used it to make penetrating oil by adding acetone at 1:1 8 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 12,430 #7 Posted yesterday at 06:06 AM Or Wall Art for the Man Cave.... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 47,318 #8 Posted 18 hours ago Could have lots of uses still. Door hinges , honing oil, patina preserver or pour it under someone you don't like's brand new car. They'll think they got a lemon! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 67,323 #9 Posted 9 hours ago On 7/15/2026 at 7:33 PM, ebinmaine said: Engine oil and gear oil has been proven to be non usable after 3 to 5 years. The anti foaming agents arebout if suspension by then. If ATF has similar agents.... it's trash. Think about it, there are millions of automatic transmissions out there doing just fine with ten year or older ATF. Lake Speed Jr said nothing about ATF and I have serious doubts about the applicability of his video when it comes to our off road vehicles. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 79,581 #10 Posted 8 hours ago 6 minutes ago, 953 nut said: Think about it, there are millions of automatic transmissions out there doing just fine with ten year or older ATF. That's why I wrote IF. 6 minutes ago, 953 nut said: I have serious doubts about the applicability of his video when it comes to our off road vehicles. I respectfully disagree with regard to the engine oil. Our off-road engines need just as much protection from air foaming as any on road engine. Maybe more, considering the slap slinging connecting rod oil distribution in an air cooled engine. It's literally trying to cut the pool of oil in half on every rotation. Not pumping through a rotor. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
