True or False: Sugar in Gas Tank Will Ruin Your Engine?

Sometimes myths get passed from one generation to the next without anyone questioning their validity. They become so ingrained in our beliefs and accepted as truth that we swear they’re true. The belief that putting sugar in a vehicle’s gas tank has led many to believe it will destroy a vehicle and possibly end in a fiery explosion. However, very few people are willing to volunteer their vehicles for such an experiment.

Today, we’ll get to the bottom of what happens when you put sugar in a gas tank. By the end of this article, you’ll have the answer and not have to subject your vehicle to an unknown experiment. Let’s get started!

What Happens When You Put Sugar in a Gas Tank?

Despite what you may have heard or seen on TV, putting sugar in a gas tank isn’t nearly as dramatic as you might think. What you’ve seen and heard is slightly misleading. A vehicle’s fuel system has filters that help filter out gunk and debris in the fuel.

When you add sugar to water, it quickly dissolves and sweetens the drink. However, adding sugar to gasoline doesn’t produce the same reaction. The sugars don’t dissolve but instead maintain their structure. The fuel filters in a vehicle’s system will filter out these sugar particles. It will also prohibit almost all of them from entering the remainder of the fuel system.

A driver will experience decreased performance and reduced fuel efficiency in most instances. However, the likelihood of a dramatic explosion or engine failure is improbable. It may not be convenient, but it’s not the worst or most expensive repair.

Where Did the Myth About Sugar In Gas Tanks Start

The exact origin of the myth is hard to pinpoint. It’s likely that the idea of sabotaging someone’s car by adding a foreign substance to the gas tank has been around as long as cars have existed. Sugar became a popular choice for this myth because of its granulated nature and the belief that it could dissolve and cause harm.

The myth has been perpetuated by popular culture, including movies, TV shows, and stories where a disgruntled individual seeks revenge by “sugaring” someone’s gas tank. These portrayals can make the myth seem more valid than it actually is.

Is Putting Sugar in a Gas Tank a Felony?

Putting sugar in a gas tank is illegal. However, whether the crime is a felony or misdemeanor would depend on various circumstances. How the local law classifies the activity and the motivation behind the act would likely be major contributing factors to whether it was a felony or not. A judge may also consider the cost of repairs when deciding whether or not to classify it as a felony.

While there would be some room for lawyers to debate whether it’s a felony or misdemeanor, there’s no debate that it’s illegal. If caught, an individual would likely need to pay restitution and complete probation or community service. 

Can Sugar in a Gas Tank Ruin an Engine? 

Because of the fuel filters, there’s very little chance that sugar will find its way into your engine. When sugar experiences increased temperatures, it caramelizes, creating a gummy mixture. Any sugars that find their way past the fuel filters will likely caramelize before entering the engine.

The worst-case scenario for a driver with sugar in their gas tank is that their fuel pump will need cleaning or replacing. Sugar ruining an engine is highly unlikely. You’ll likely have issues accelerating and decreased fuel economy that will send you to the mechanic before it can cause damage to your engine.

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How Do I Get Sugar Out of My Tank?

The first thing you’ll need to do is replace the fuel filters. Depending on how long the sugar has been in your tank, your fuel filters may be clogged and struggling to do their job. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this yourself, it’s a relatively straightforward task for even a novice mechanic.

You’ll want to check out your fuel pump to ensure it’s clean and in good working condition. 

Sugar molecules are heavy and would sink to the bottom of your fuel tank. You’ll need to empty the tank and give it a good cleaning to make sure you got all of the particles out. A local mechanic can clean it and use the proper chemicals to ensure you have a sugar-free fuel tank. Usually, this involves dropping the tank from the vehicle.

What Liquid Will Destroy a Car Engine?

While sugar in your gas tank may not pose as much risk as you have heard, few people talk about the tremendous risks of bleach entering your fuel tank and, ultimately, your engine. The bleach will settle at the bottom of your fuel tank. Then, a chemical reaction occurs that burns the chlorine out of the bleach.

The byproduct of this chemical reaction is a very corrosive oxidizer. In the short term, the mixture significantly reduces a vehicle’s performance. However, it can eat away at seals and gaskets in the long term and cause massive amounts of rust on your sensitive components. Mythbusters even tackled this topic and discovered that the inside of the tank was covered in rust by the next morning.

However, running pretty much anything except the proper fuel in your engine is never good for it. Gasoline in a diesel engine can destroy it, pure alcohol or other combustibles can explode at different temperatures and cause damage. Basically, if its not gasoline (or diesel), don’t put it in your fuel tank.

Pro Tip: While there may not be sugar in your gas tank, if there is water in your gas tank, this is what you have to do.

Other Things You Do NOT Want in Your Gas Tank

Ultimately, you want to avoid putting anything in your gas tank other than fuel or specifically designed products for your vehicle. You want to avoid any products that will clog your fuel system. 

Water, sugar, salt, honey, and other sticky and sweet liquids should never get into your gas tank. Some vehicles have sustained severe damage due to brake fluid, carbonated soft drinks, urine, and hydrogen peroxide.

Some car owners install locks that prevent tampering with their gas tanks. However, many vehicles have no safety mechanisms to protect them. If your vehicle sits outside or unprotected most of the time, it may be worth considering a lockable gas cap.

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How Can You Tell If Someone Put Something in Your Gas Tank? 

Sadly, it’s tough to tell if someone has put something in your gas tank until it’s too late. Unless you catch the individual red-handed or they leave evidence behind, you’ll likely not notice any issues until you start driving.

You’ll likely notice decreased performance and acceleration as your fuel pumps clog. You may also notice that your miles per gallon take a massive nosedive, and you have to fill up your tank more often. If you suspect someone put something in your fuel tank, immediately get your vehicle to a trusted mechanic.

Have you ever had someone put sugar in your gas tank? Tell us about your experience in the comments!

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