Coleman fuel storage life?

T

tyuio

Joined
Apr 9, 2003
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Just curious if anyone has advice on coleman white gas fuel shelf life. I've been using the same fuel for quite awile now (guessing at least 3 years). I haven't had any problems with it using my msr whisperlite or coleman stove and lantern and just recently started wondering if that type of fuel goes bad? What i mean is does it pick up moisture or get contaminated by sitting in the can where it no longer works or loses effectiveness or something. I only use 6-12 oz. at a time in the msr, or 10-20 oz in the coleman equipment so a gallon can lasts a very long time. Just wondering if i should keep using same fuel or replace it. Thanks.
 
Googled with all of my might, and found an average of 5 years, give or take a decade of being unopened, and a few years being opened every once in a while.

Anything over 15 years has a bunch of horror stories with people having stoves or generators getting gunked up. I'd stick with 5-10 years to be safe. 10 might still be pushing it though. It all depends on how often you open the can and expose the stuff to air and moisture.

Hope this helps, J.
 
Coleman white gas is pretty pure stuff. Gas stored in a plastic container, will lose the low molecular weight molecules rapidly (there goes your octane rating out the window), but Coleman comes in metal cans so that should not be a problem.

Pump gas is a way different issue! Oxygenates in it begin to degrade immediately, and will leave scum in a carburator/fuel injection system within a very short time. I currently own 9 dirt bikes and ATV's (some fuel injected), and since I started running Klotz Octane Booster, I have not had any problems with stored fuel or gummed up carbs. I don't run the booster so much for the octane boost, but because it contains a fuel perservative and ester synthetic lube for the upper cylinder.
 
I use a product called Stab-il. it prevents the gas from getting moisture in it and keeps the octane at a steady level for longer storage. you can find it at ACE, Lowes, Home Depot, hardware stores etc.

when i buy some fuel for long term storage i put a generous helping of Stab-il in the can, close it up and seal the top with melting candle wax around the lid. i then write with permenent marker the date of purchase.

------- Eric
 
I stocked up on coleman fuel in prep for the Y2K crash that never was. and just used up the last of it last summer so from my experience I would say shelf life if stored carefully sevenyears at least
 
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