Engine Oil expiry???

[Jussa]

Does Castrol Edge 5W-30 have an expiry date?
I've found an original 4L container outside in my shed that's been there for about 2 years, it's been opened previously but sealed tightly since then.
It still has around 2 litres in it, can I still use it? 

[bacillus]

It should be fine as it's been in a sealed container and it isn't hydroscopic.

[Jussa]

Hydroscopic WTF? 
I must have been sleeping at school 

[AA]

Its already 50 million years old by the time you bought it so a couple of more years wont matter too much

[Adam-golf]

Does it actually have an expiry date then?

[bacillus]

Hydroscopic = doesn't absorb water. Brake fluid is hydroscopic!

btw it's not 50 million years old as it's synthetic.

[flashp]

Hydroscopic = doesn't absorb water (this would be Hydrophobic). Brake fluid is hydroscopic!

btw it's not 50 million years old as it's synthetic.

Engine oil is actually Hygroscopic but to a lesser degree than brake fluid. It means it takes in moisture from the atmosphere. Can you be sure that condensation has never formed in the can through temperature cycling in the shed?
Cost of oil 'vs' value of engine...I'd bin it. It may well be OK but you'll know that once you've got away with it, not before.

[Jussa]

It's not in a can, it's in that 4 litre plastic container.
I can't guarantee there hasn't been condensation as its been outside for ages - not sure how condensation would form inside a sealed container 
But you're probably right, it's not worth any risk, but still throwing away a good £15 worth of oil does hurt 

[andygo]

It will be fine. Any moisture will evaporate off anyway. Its not like it will have gone from 1 litre to 2 litres ffs!

[GrayMK5GTI]

Will be fine, won't do any harm. Don't be too precious about it IMHO 

Even if there was a bit of moisture, once in your engine and at 95 degrees+ it will soon evaporate 

My mate once put a fair amount of fairy liquid into a Peugeot engine and it was fine.

Gray