Does grease go off?

[Tim Good]

Found a nearly full tub of Duckhams Keenol Grease. Probably from previous owner so likely over 6 years old maybe 10.

Does this stuff go off at all and would it be suitable for servicing my Winches? Says it's suitable for all sorted of applications including bearings, steer tubes... says it's lithium soap based. The official Anderson winches grease says it's silicone tethlon grease.

 

[prv]

Grease goes old and hard in machinery, but I’d have thought what’s in the pot would be fine. Certainly I’d have no worries about using it if it were mine.

Can’t comment on its suitability for winches - but just note that grease on the pawls is not recommended in case it causes them to stick. Use oil (3-in-1 or whatever) there.

Pete

 

[vyv_cox]

Grease can 'crack' in which the oil separates from the soap. When it happens it is very obvious.

 

[seaangler23]

One of the issues with my survey on my boat was the stiff steering, turned out the grease in the greaser for the rudder shaft had separated into something like putty and oil on top

 

[davidpbo]

Always found Duckhams Keenol to be an excellent grease for my boat trailer bearings. Was disappointed when it stopped being made, I would hazard a guess it was more than 10 years ago they stropped making it. I would have thought it a bit too stiff for winches. I think I used silicone grease on mine.

 

[Boathook]

As long as it has the lid on it should be ok. My keenol grease that I use must be over 20 years old.

 

[MichaelBoon]

Still using Duckhams Keenol, found it a couple of years ago in a store in Liverpool! No sure re grease going off but I assume it doesn't if it hadn't been opened by the previous owner.

 

[ghostlymoron]

I've got an old tin of Morris's water resistant grease. The lid is missing and I put a loose fitting plastic one on it. The grease has gone sort of brownish and thick so it's only used for non critical duties now.

 

[johnalison]

I haven't used my keenol for over 25yrs and it still looks usable but a bit of oil has separated on the surface. I still use Castrol thick grease regularly from an even older tin. A small amount in the bottom rudder bearing works wonders.

For winches, you might be better off using proper winch grease. I'm no technologist, but I think that the loads can be quite high and I don't think a keenol soft grease is ideal. The amount of grease needed for a winch is tiny. All you need to do is brush on a very light coat with no surplus.