Reusing oil from sump

[Darryl S]

Can you actually reuse the oil that you have drained from the lubrication system? We will be removing and attaching back the lubrication system quite often as we do testing every week and we are currently doing some development work on the sump system in between. And we are not capable of using new oil everytime we reomve and assemble the system back as that would mean we need to purchase alot of oil! What i am afraid of is contamination to the engine. Can these contamiants be avoided (e.g by using a clean storage bottle). What about condensation from air moisture? Thanks in advance!

[Darryl S]

Can you actually reuse the oil that you have drained from the lubrication system? We will be removing and attaching back the lubrication system quite often as we do testing every week and we are currently doing some development work on the sump system in between. And we are not capable of using new oil everytime we reomve and assemble the system back as that would mean we need to purchase alot of oil! What i am afraid of is contamination to the engine. Can these contamiants be avoided (e.g by using a clean storage bottle). What about condensation from air moisture? Thanks in advance!

[John Stimpson]

No worries... Be sure you're drain pan is clean and dry. Its a good idea to decant the oil when pouring it back into your engine/reservoir, although there shouldn't be any appreciable amount of sediment in your oil. Condensation from air moisture is not a concern. Oil isn't hygroscopic, not to mention, the oil gets pounded/contaminated with moisture by the inherent formation of water during the combustion event... One of the primary reasons a low mileage "grandma" used car isn't always so great: Driving the car only a couple miles each use doesn't get the oil up to operating temp (about 220ºF is good), and doesn't boil off any water in the oil.