My fuel bottles were washed (don't ask me why) and were filled for an upcoming trip with a small amount of water still inside. I don't think this will cause a malfunction (although it won't do my stove any favors) but am curious if anyone has any experience with this problem?

As a side note, does anyone know if Coleman Fuel, like gasoline, can have a finite "good" lifespan?

I have seen some comments about moisture in the fuel causing the stove not to light. Though the main issue I've seen is that the moisture can cause the tank to rust on older stoves. Newer stoves have a lining to protect the tank. I've seen comments about adding a small amount of Heet or Seafoam to the tank or fuel bottle to alleviate it. I haven't seen a problem with Coleman fuel deteriorating with age. The current can I have is 3-4 years old and it works fine.

I have a 20+ year old gallon of white gas that I’m currently using. No problems so far, but it smells funny. I’ll let you know the final results in two weeks.

Wables: "I have a 20+ year old gallon of white gas that I’m currently using. No problems so far, but it smells funny. I’ll let you know the final results in two weeks. "

While I have never had white gas as old as that in the above post, I have had some that was probably at least half that old. What I did when using the gallon was to transfer the remainder into smaller storage containers. I have about a dozen fuel bottles (MSR, SIGG, Nalgene red plastic) in a variety of sizes so I could store fuel with minimal air in the bottles. I've never had any problems with older fuel. Now I buy what white gas I need in the red plastic Coleman one liter/quart size containers.

I'd just empty the suspect fuel into a lawnmower or car fuel tank, either is much more forgiving of water in the fuel. Any additives are also a no go in my opinion. I have seen and cleaned up the damage left from additives, not to mention that fumes from burning most additives can be hazardous. The cost of fuel lost is not worth a new stove.

Fuel life? Like deerfoot I decant new fuel into smaller fuel bottles as soon as a new gallon is opened. On stoves with attached tanks I keep them filled. Never had a problem. The oldest fuel I have used came with a 50 year old Coleman 425 last used 25 years prior. Started up and worked fine, though the rest of the stove sorely needed cleaning.

butthead

Water is heavier than fuel and will sink to the bottom. If you use a stove with an insert into the fuel bottle, like an MSR, it would likely get into the stove soon after lighting as those things suck from the bottom. Better to solve this problem at home than the first night of a trip.

It takes most people a long, long time to use up a gallon of Coleman fuel. That means there’s lots of years old fuel in half empty cans waiting for the next trip. Haven’t heard many stories of old fuel issues.