Does engine oil go bad ?

[Enigma]

I was cleaning out the garage and came across 2 cases of unused Penzoil.
They were bought about 17 years ago.
Is it still good to use, or does it degrade over time.?

[Lincolnmania]

should be fine as long as the moisture didnt get to it

[interceptor1985]

Well oil in an engine can go bad but those are unopened bottles so I really don't know? But this is a good thing to find out so we all can start hording oil for personal use. lol Just like in mad max oil is only going up in price!

[LTDMan83]

As long as the container is still sealed,it should still be good.

[Tiggie]

They are probably API SE or something like that. In other words, don't put it in your '06 Hyundai. But it's good for older motors and protects flat tappet cams and lifters better than today's API SM.

[p71towny]

Yeah, there are additives in older oils that aren't found in todays oils, causing some rebuilt engines to wear lobes off of cams during break in, even with assembly lube.

[mrltd]

Oil does break down over time...I'd use it for some burnouts.

[DarkKnight]

Me and my dad one time got our hands on god like 30 crates or so i guess of oil, Wound up doing oil changes for half the base via 5 buc's + bring your owen filter ), And that stuff was dated back from the 60's.... it was 98 or so when we did the oil changes.

[Enigma]

They are probably API SE or something like that. In other words, don't put it in your '06 Hyundai.

An '06.? Why would I own something that new.? Modern pieces of crap. The newest vehicle I own is 17 years old.

But it's good for older motors and protects flat tappet cams and lifters better than today's API SM.

That's what the oil was bought for in the first place, a flat tappet cam motor. And, actually will be used for that same engine as I bring it back to life.
Thanks guys. Just wanted to make sure it didn't turn into varnish, like old gas does.