A bit like the bottles of water that have been filler with crystal-clear water from an aquifer where the water has lain for thousands of years - yet there's a sell-by date on every bottle!

From post # 6

Could explain why some of my colleagues return to the crew room in such a state ... :ooh:

Regarding the additives to oil; there has to be an understanding as to the two separate methods of adding additives to a solution such as oil.
There are additives that chemically bond to the molecular structure of the oil, and there are additives that can be finely powdered additives that are reliant on suspension in the oil, by their fine particle size.

The former will never settle out in the oil; the latter will, eventually. Oil companies rely on regular turnover of stocks of everything they produce. They never store production items for long periods.
Thus, any additives added, have to be stable, both as regards chemical degradation, and as regards separation from the oil... within a reasonable, expected time frame, of useage.

Thus, in most corporate and constant-use operations, the issue of oil additive separation is of no consequence, as the oil is produced and turned over rapidly, and never gets to sit around for long.

However, in a situation where low useage and low turnover arises, whereby the oil may be held in storage for lengthy periods of time (> 12 months)... it IS likely that SOME separation, of the finely divided additives that are held in suspension, will occur.

Thus, if the oil you are using has been stored without movement for a period of more than 12 mths, an inversion and shake will be of benefit in making sure that the finely-dispersed additives in suspension are properly dispersed.
For most operators, there is no need to even remotely consider this angle, as turnover of oil stocks is rapid, and there is inadequate time for any form of oil degradation to take place.

Yeah we had a system down, 2 men and a lift truck, full case of oil on the back, one drove and opened 3 holes (2 for pouring one to vent) and the other guy never got off the lift until all 4 engines were full. You could pretty much bet on a quart an hour per engine on the -a's through J's. The "Q" seemed to tighten up a bit.

Not sure about other models, but the Bell 206 Series and 407 Maintenance Manuals make specific mention of always well shaking the oil cans before adding oil to either the power train or engine. But hey, what would an aircraft developer, manufacture know? Not like they did any research or anything..........

R...

So should i start shaking my skydrol cans as well now...:p

Only if you are putting it in an engine - :p

BH