The Shelf Life of Diesel Generator Oil

Diesel generator set oil (lubricating oil) plays a crucial role in the normal and stable operation of the unit. When selecting oil, users should choose the appropriate brand according to the local season and temperature, and pay attention to the quality grade and viscosity grade of the oil. Observant users may also have noticed that the oil bottle body is usually not labeled with "shelf life". Why is this?

Diesel generator engine oil does not have a strict storage shelf life, which is different from general food and medicine. This is because the performance of engine oil is relatively stable, and when stored properly, it generally does not affect the performance of engine oil. Therefore, there is currently no strict regulation in the country on the shelf life or expiration date of lubricating oil. Moreover, engine oil is a fast-moving consumable and does not have a long sales and use cycle, so there is no need to label too long a warranty period. Therefore, the shelf life standard of engine oil has become a problem, so it is generally not labeled.

But this does not mean that it has no shelf life. Although there is no strict definition of shelf life, the shelf life of engine oil is generally in the range of 3-5 years, and the specific time is determined by the condition of the engine oil. For engine oil, expiration means a decrease in lubrication ability or other performance, making it unsuitable for continued use. The national standard for the shelf life of engine oil is 5 years, but environmental factors have a significant impact on the shelf life of engine oil. Temperature, moisture, dust, and acidity/alkalinity all have an impact on the stored lubricating oil, so the shelf life should also be relative. If it is unopened engine oil, the shelf life can reach 5 years, while the shelf life of the remaining engine oil after maintenance of the diesel generator set is one year, and the shelf life of the oil poured into the engine is about 8-12 months.

How to determine if the engine oil has expired?

Under normal circumstances, lubricating oil should be a clear, semi transparent or transparent liquid. If the lubricating oil oxidizes, its color will change. In addition, if the lubricating oil becomes turbid and its transparency decreases, it indicates that the oil quality of the lubricating oil has changed. If there is an acidic or odorous odor, it indicates that the lubricating oil has deteriorated. In addition, if the viscosity of the oil can be observed to change significantly (becoming thinner or thicker) and the properties are uneven, it should not be continued to be used.

Lubricating oil can provide lubrication for the components of diesel generator sets during operation, preventing wear and tear on each part. At the same time, it can also take away some heat, preventing overheating of the units. This shows the importance of lubricating oil for diesel generator sets. Dingbo Electric recommends that users change the engine oil after the first 50 hours of operation or 50 hours after major repairs after purchasing a new machine. For other times, it is generally recommended to change the engine oil every 250 hours or once a month. When changing the engine oil, it must be replaced together with the oil filter. Otherwise, if the oil filter element becomes too dirty and the filtering performance decreases, it will not only cause poor oil circulation, but also contaminate the newly injected engine oil.

Dingbo Power was founded in 1974 and is one of the earliest manufacturers of generators and diesel generator sets in China. If you want get more information, please feel free to send email to sales@dieselgeneratortech.com we will pay highly attention on your question.