What is the shelf life of oil lines?

• A. 8.5 years
• B. 10 years
• C. 5 years
• D. 12 years

Answer: (B)

Oil lines are flexible hoses that age even when not in service, so there’s a defined period during which unused lines can be stored before installation. This shelf life ensures the hose material hasn’t degraded to the point of risking failure once installed. For oil lines, that period is ten years.

Storing lines within this ten-year window helps prevent issues from aging rubber, such as cracking, hardening, or loss of elasticity that can occur from heat, oil exposure, and environmental conditions. If a line is older than the shelf life or shows any signs of deterioration, it should be replaced. Remember, shelf life relates to unused stock, while actual service life refers to how long a part can perform properly once installed.