13 replies to this topic

[montyc]

Just wanting opinions, have just changed oil, loking to use the old stuff to 'paint' the underside and subframes as buying other products cant fit into my budget at the moment

[HarrysMini]

It won't harm it, certainly a good thing to do until you can afford proper products (use Bilt Hamber stuff)

 

We've filled the chassis box sections on our Land Rover with old engine/gear/diff oil, in fact whenever we do an oil change on any of our cars, the oil goes in there to save trying to find somewhere to dispose of it. 

[Carlos W]

It'll drip off and cause pollution

[sonikk4]

The biggest problem other than it being nasty to not only you but to the enviroment is cleaning it off before you apply waxoyl etc.

[Tamworthbay]

My dad used to use the old oil from his motorbike to paint the shed. That thing lasted decades. I also remember seeing blue Peter where this guy had gone round the world in a beetle and he painted ALL of it in used oil to prevent rust and it worked. But all that said I wouldn't do it. £20 will get a bit of Dynax or dinitrol to do the job properly.

[tiger99]

These days you would be very lucky to avoid arrest for causing pollution. Used engine oil is very dangerous indeed, with heavy metals (which is why it does preserve garden sheds rather well) and numerous carcinogens, so it must, in no circumstances, get near people or the drainage system. It also has a high acid content, due to contamination by piston blow-by, and in some circumstances will accelerate corrosion.

 

My advice is, don't even think about using it on the underside of your car. Take it to your local council dump for safe disposal. It gets, or should be, recycled back through an oil refinery, which is very good for the environment.

[Carlos W]

Filling box sections with oil is likely to increase the combustible load in the event of a fire.

I would think the vehicle would already have to be on fire, and fairly hot to make the oil ignite but it'll certainly make the fire brigades job more difficult in the event of a fire.

[leeuk]

I'm working on a mini van at the moment that had been covered in oil even its rear load bed inside the van didn't get missed,

Althou I would say it seems to of protected the van from the elements I wouldn't think about using it myself its a mess and gets everywhere, I was sick and tired of getting it on me and the constant smell of oil isn't the best of aromas, Its also been a total pig to get off,

I would take the above advice and steer clear of using old oil,

The weather is starting to warm up and so its not like it needs to be done straight away, Save over the next few weeks and do it properly you will be more pleased with yourself with a job well done

[Badboytunes]

I'd do it if it were me. In fact I used to do this during my apprenticeship some 25 yrs ago. There is no law against it as far as I know, just the environmental police..........

I did it on my 1st mini and it worked a treat.

[seancv1]

my old mini's  floor was covered in oil anyway ( from oil leaks ) ! but the floor was totally solid when the rest of the car was dissolving ! so take from that what you like   

[sledgehammer]

quote ' These days you would be very lucky to avoid arrest for causing pollution '

 

for putting engine oil on a floor pan / sills                   

 

I must be very lucky   

 

most mini owners must be in the slammer for the oil leaks ,   

 

you may get a warning / told to get the oil leak fixed if its bad - but arrest - nah

 

I've been doing it for years - so did my dad / grandad

Edited by sledgehammer, 18 April 2014 - 01:02 PM.

[sonikk4]

I think what we can agree on this has being going on for years and was common practise. But if you want to put anything else on the car then all of this will need to thoroughly cleaned off otherwise you will never get the product you want to use to stay on.

 

As for being arrested well good luck with that.

[HarrysMini]

I think ultimately it is up to you what you put on the underside of your car. You can either splash some old oil on the underside and that will protect it very well (My Dad's early 50s Minor has been oiled every year from new and is still in excellent condition), however you risk being arrested , or you could spend £20-40 and get the proper stuff. 

 

What you could do is mix engine oil 50/50 with Waxoyl to make twice as much, which will make it more economical.

 

All I will say is that there is a reason why rotten front subframes are quite rare on Minis.

[montyc]

Cheers for the comments guys, i have the oil in the shed now, but will wait till i have some more leave to get some proper stuff to put on. Just gave the rear subframe a brush down to get rust and dirt off. Its pretty solid so is no problem