2 Years Without Changing Oil?

valhalla360 wrote:
Are those 50 miles all at once? Or is it 5-10 miles over several days?

If it's 50 miles all at once, the engine should get up to temp and stay there long enough to burn off any condensation (note: warming up an engine for a few minutes before an oil change is not the same thing and driving 5 miles would be similar).

I would probably go annual just so I don't forget entirely but even every couple years likely won't cause any issues. As mentioned, at 600miles per year, if the engine only lasts another 12000miles, that's another 20 years.

This is a good question, just a few miles operation per run is not going to be long enough to develop the heat in the oil to drive out any moisture present in the oil.

This is from experience, my DD work commute is 11 miles round trip.. Have always fought with moisture condensing on the oil filler cap creating a nasty milky sludge on the filler cap.. Gets far worse in winter than summer.. The only solution is to change the oil MORE OFTEN.

My own work commute was 100 mile round trip, never had an issue with moisture build up in the oil to create milky sludge..

Mex stated, oil gets to 120F when done, that is not enough heat to drive out the moisture and that will eventually lead to a build up of milky moisture laden sludge. Oil temp needs to get up to engine operating temps which is going to be closer to 200F for a period of time. Takes time and heat to drive out the moisture.

I would say better off to change oil at least within the manufacturers recommendations which is typically stated as miles OR MONTHS whichever comes first.

Back in the 70's that was typically 3,000 miles OR THREE MONTHS whichever came first. Wasn't until the early 2000s when manufacturers relaxed that recommendation.. Now days my 2020 is 10K miles or ONE YEAR, whichever comes first..

Oil changes are cheap compared to repowering a vehicle, a rebuilt block for OPs vehicle would cost more than 4 times what the vehicle is worth..

Brings me up to..

wa8yxm writes "Gas or Diesel?
The reason I ask if that Gas engines oil changes tend to be around 65 dollars at most of the shops I visit"

Guess you are in Cali or "New England" states.. You are getting ripped of big time.. Around my area passenger cars are no more than $30 at quick change places.. I do my own changes so it is oil and filter.. $4 for filter and $3.99 per quart x 7 quarts for $31.93 for my 6.2 gas engine..

Diesels often take 15 quarts and filter may be more, so at a min shouldn't be much more than $70 if you DIY..

covered wagon "That's what I saw too on an Onan that the Lady neglected to have changed for 2 1/2 years. I would pull the dip stick and be clear and nice. After you warmed it up for the oil change it was black and not nice oil. All she said was well... ''I never hardly ever used the generator''. So why do I need to have it changed?

I showed her the oil taken out in a clear pan and the bottom was starting to settle and looking milky. Not pretty.
"

theoldwizard writes "As long as it gets hot enough every month or so to drive out any condensation."

^^^THIS^^^

Yep, even though the OPs oil will not be "worn out" it WILL eventually get "moisture contamination" well before the oil has worn out.

OP has mentioned in the past being near the ocean for periods of time, that also can play havoc with contaminating the oil..

In this case, you should change the oil on a schedule based on the vehicles manufacturers recommendation in TIME rather than miles..

I would think OP would be fine to just change every 6 months or every year. Sort of depends on which works best for your memory AND location..