Menu
Is free
Registration
home  /  Snacks/ What happens if sugar is in the gas tank. What happens to the engine if sugar is poured into the gas tank? Video

What happens if sugar is in the gas tank. What happens to the engine if sugar is poured into the gas tank? Video

A well-known way among motorists to “layer” their enemy is to pour a good portion of sugar into the gas tank of his car. This method of revenge, as they say, is extremely effective and destructive, and only very bad people are capable of putting this option into practice, pouring a generous portion of sweet revenge into their opponent's fuel tank. And, voila, after he starts his car, after a while, figuratively speaking, his life will not be sugar. Is it so? It is unlikely that anyone seriously thought about conducting such an experiment, so we consider it a great success to show you the video we found on YouTube, in which they just talk about the consequences of adding the usual table sugar in and subsequent operation of the engine on this mixture.

The video example uses an internal combustion engine from a lawnmower as an experimental model. Before conducting the experiment, the video blogger made several preliminary measurements by removing the cylinder head and visually inspecting the carbon deposits and the condition of the piston, valves and cylinder walls. You can watch the process from 0.35 to 55 seconds of the video.

Further, a large spoonful of sugar was added to gasoline, in terms of volume in relation to the amount of fuel, it occupied approximately 1/10 part. An attempt to dissolve sugar in the fuel brought practically no result. Sugar is poorly soluble in gasoline.

Pay attention to the volume of gasoline in which they are trying to dissolve sugar, can you imagine how much sugar is needed to get an equivalent mixture if we are talking about a standard car gas tank?

Next, the mixture, along with sugar, was poured into, the engine was started, and the experiment began, lasting more than 100 minutes. The input of the motor was noted not a large number of bluish smoke 3.45 minute video.

After all the fuel was used up, crystallized sugar was visible in the gas tank, a significant part of it remained inside without passing through the fuel line.

Results of the experiment with adding sugar to fuel

Compression dropped a little when cold, 65 PSI versus 68 PSI in the original version. When hot, the engine did not feel worse in terms of compression.

When removing the "head" of the engine, formations of caked sugar were found in the combustion chamber. On the cylinder head, on the piston and on the valve.


The result summed up by the video blogger is such that there is harm caused in this way, but it is minimal and can most likely be reflected in the long-term period of operation. The blogger does not give specific advice in case of suspicion or detection of sugar getting into the fuel tank, but asks his viewers a rhetorical question. What would you do if you found sugar in your gas tank:

1. Would you flush the fuel tank?

2. Have you changed the fuel filter?

3. Would you remove the cylinder head and conduct an audit?

4. Or would you use additives?

And what would you do?

Often on various automotive forums you can see such an unusual question: what happens if you pour sugar into a gas tank? The answer to it, if you figure it out (you will see this below), is not so complicated. But the quite logical indignation of most motorists will become more understandable: how can sugar even end up in a gas tank? Here they do not prepare tea or coffee, lollipops or even caramels. What can be in common with a car tank and ... sugar? Let's take a closer look.

How to understand that sugar was poured into the gas tank?

Most often, sugar gets into the tank of a car on someone's whim, because, by definition, it cannot appear there on its own. In most cases, these can be “ordinary” pranks of hooligans, but there are also moments when vehicles try to disable competitors in this way (before the start of various races, etc.). Therefore, the first thing to do in order not to encounter this problem is to put a lock on the gas tank cap, which will be the first obstacle for those who want to misbehave.

For many motorists, the concept of "sugar in the gas tank" sounds like a sentence. However, let's see, is everything really so complicated? To do this, we will conduct a small experiment, with the help of which we will try to determine whether sugar in a gas tank is really dangerous and what it has to do with the subsequent operation of the engine.

What happens when sugar enters the gas tank?

One of the most popular is the legend that sugar can greatly harm a car engine. Many of its supporters say that this sweet ingredient, getting into the combustion chamber, forms a dense deposit there after combustion, which falls on the walls of the piston and cylinder, as a result of which the power unit simply wedges. Very similar to the truth.

Indeed, sugar, from high temperatures, caramelizes and can even burn, which is well known to culinary specialists. Therefore, for this problem to arise, it will be enough for it to get to the engine from the gas tank. At first glance, it seems that there will be no problems with this either - sugar, along with the fuel liquid, will fall into. But it is at this stage that the most interesting begins.

Let's finally move on to the experiment, which, we hope, will give us answers to our questions. Just pay attention, if you want to repeat this experience, that it should be performed outdoors and a prerequisite, while complying with all safety standards - do not forget that gasoline is a flammable liquid that can harm your health.

For the experiment we need:

  • sugar;
  • petrol;
  • glass container;

Pour gasoline into the container, and then add sugar.

After we mix everything well, we wait until our main ingredient dissolves.

And this is where the main surprise awaits us. It can take a lifetime to wait for sugar to dissolve, because, as it turns out, sugar does not dissolve in gasoline! As a result, we understand that the legends that tell us about seized engines caused by sugar added to the gas tank are fiction!? Without a doubt, adding a “sweet white ingredient” to the gas tank will not completely go unnoticed for the engine - sugar, of course, will get on the fuel system filters and, no matter how you want it, will clog them.

For quite a long time, there have been rumors that if sugar is poured into the gas tank, the car will fail. That is, sugar, according to many, should react with gasoline and thus clog the gas tank and disable other parts associated with it, that is, completely immobilize the car.

offend the offender

Naturally, at first glance, this method seems ideal, but is it really valid? Perhaps yes, if you continue to listen to these legends. But! In fact, this is just a legend that has nothing to do with reality!


Sugar dissolves in water, but not in gasoline. Yes, of course, you can pour sugar (or sand) into the gas tank of your offender, but ... you should not expect a “positive” result from your side. Both sand and sugar do not dissolve in gasoline. The maximum that they can do is, but the car will still move. All the car owner needs to do is change the filter and voila, the car is like new again!

In simple terms, wanting revenge, putting sugar in the gas tank will not help you in any way.

How to understand that sugar was poured into the gas tank

Naturally, sugar "by itself" cannot get into the tank of a car. For this, someone has to try. As a rule, this is done by hooligans or competitors (before the start of races or other actions when it will be necessary to use the vehicle).

If you have enemies or you see an envious and ill-wisher in someone, it is better to initially save yourself from the possibility of getting this trouble -. Most of the "villains" will stop such actions!

It is worth noting that most car owners, when they hear the phrase “sugar got into the gas tank”, immediately put a car sentence. But is it really so? We conducted our own experiment, the consequences of which allowed us to draw certain conclusions ... And which ones, we will now share with you.

What happens if sugar gets into the gas tank

There is a legend that says that sugar that gets into it can greatly harm it. They believe that sugar, after sugar enters the gas tank, forms carbon deposits there, which will lead to a complete exit from the engine.


In fact, this sweet ingredient, when exposed to high temperatures, begins to caramelize or even burn (this is known not only to professional chefs, but also to housewives). For such a problem to arise, sugar must penetrate from the gas tank to the very heart of the vehicle - its engine. But from this moment the most interesting begins.

Experiment: sugar in a car tank

Well, let's go directly to the experiment, which will finally put all the dots and give answers to all questions. At the same time, we recommend that you pay attention, that is, you should not forget that gasoline is a highly flammable substance. That is, your actions should be as careful as possible in order not to harm your health.

What will be required

So let's start the experiment. To do this, you will need the following products:

  • glass container;
  • petrol;
  • sugar.

Why does the container have to be glass? In order to be able to monitor the amount of material used.

So, pour gasoline into the container and add sugar. We are waiting for the sweet element to dissolve (to make this operation faster, you can stir sugar in gasoline).

And at this stage, the main surprise will await you - no matter how much you stir the sugar or wait for it to dissolve - nothing will happen, no chemistry. Sugar does not dissolve in gasoline!

Result

It's all just legend! In no case will sugar getting into the gas tank stop your vehicle. Naturally, it will get on the fuel system filters and clog them, but other negative effects from it should not be expected.

Sugar in the gas tank - for many motorists, this sounds like a death sentence. On automotive forums, chilling stories sometimes slip through about engines jammed from someone's cruel joke. Let's use an experiment to figure out whether these stories have a basis, or if this is just one of the tales that motorists have at least a dime a dozen.

So, how can sugar harm the engine? Supporters of the legend say that sugar, getting into the internal combustion chamber of the engine, burns out there with the formation of a dense deposit on the walls of the cylinder and piston, which is why the engine simply jams. And you can easily believe in it - under the influence of high temperature, sugar begins to caramelize or even burn - chefs know this well when they bake pies. It remains only to deliver sugar from the gas tank to the engine. And with this, it would seem, everything is clear too - of course, sugar will get into the engine along with gasoline. But there is one thing! However, let's set up an experiment. I only ask you, if you want to repeat the experiment, do it only in the open air and in compliance with all safety standards - gasoline is a flammable liquid!

We will need:

  • Sugar;
  • Petrol;
  • Any container, preferably glass.

Add gasoline to the container, and then sugar.

Mix everything well and wait for the sugar to dissolve.

You could spend your whole life waiting. The fact is that sugar does not dissolve in gasoline! Thus, all the legends about engines jammed from adding sugar to the gas tank are fiction! Of course, for a car, adding sugar to the gas tank will not go unnoticed - sugar will get on the filter elements of the fuel system, clog them. The engine will no longer start normally, will run intermittently, and filters will need to be replaced. But this is a completely different story, not related to the sugar burning in the engine.

Successful experiments!


What happens if sugar gets into the gas tank, the consequences of this can be very deplorable for the engine. It all depends on its quantity and the duration of operation of the car filled with "sweet fuel". Usually, in this way, minors express their dislike for the owner of the vehicle, who somehow did not please them.

Numerous myths

Sugar in the gas tank, the consequences of this, according to numerous myths, can be very scary. The most terrible of them is the car explosion. According to the version, when gasoline is mixed with sugar, the car detonates, ignites and then explodes. Therefore, some advisers recommend putting "sweet death" in a rubber glove or condom and carefully placing it in a gas tank. After some time, the latex will be corroded by oil products and an explosion will occur. The criminal himself will already be out of reach and in complete safety.

The second version of the legend about putting a car out of action with the help of sugar is the jamming of the engine. Allegedly, when mixed with a liquid, it dissolves or forms a sticky consistency that can completely close the pipeline and clog the fuel filter. If the fuel system survives, then once in the combustion chamber, under the influence of high temperatures, it will burn or melt. As a result of the latter, a hard substance resembling caramel will be obtained. Once on the piston and cylinder wall, it can jam the power unit.

Refutation of legends

So what are the consequences of getting sugar into a car's fuel system? In order to understand this issue, you can conduct a simple experiment for which you will need the following:

  • 500 g of gasoline (octane number does not play a role);
  • 100 g of sugar;
  • glass jar with a capacity of 700 - 1000g.

Having prepared everything you need, you need to mix the so-called ingredients and mix them thoroughly. The fact that there was no explosion is already a refutation of the first myth. Another innovation will be the settled sugar at the bottom of the jar. Thus, we can conclude: it does not dissolve in gasoline and does not enter into any chemical reactions with it. Therefore, pouring it into the fuel tank, you can cause him the same harm as from ordinary sand, poured in the same place.

Real harm and dealing with the consequences

Having dealt with the legends and what happens when sugar actually gets into the gas tank, you can logically complete the phrase about the consequences that it can cause. With prolonged use of the vehicle, the engine will start poorly, its operation will be unstable. This will happen due to clogging of the fuel filters, which will have to be replaced. This is the only thing that threatens the car owner in terms of financial costs.

Now about the time spent on cleaning. If you find traces of sugar in the neck of your tank, you must completely flush the entire fuel system.

You can do this in the following way:

  • Completely drain all gasoline into a pre-prepared container;
  • Pour water into it by 2/3, to speed up the process, you can slightly shake the car so that the liquid splashes inside and washes the walls;
  • Drain the water.
After repeating the procedure 2-3 times, flush the fuel system by performing the following manipulations:
  • Pour clean water into the washed tank;
  • Using a fuel pump, pump fluid through the pipes.

Important! The connection to the fuel filter must be open. Drain the liquid with sugar residues out. Only after performing these procedures and replacing the filter is it recommended to continue operating the car.

Healthy! In a carbureted engine, the sugar must settle in a sump under the fuel filter.

Bully protection

On trucks and domestic cars, to protect against intruders, car owners put a lock in the neck of the fuel tank, which is locked with a key. This prevents the contents from being stolen and from falling asleep inside any muck in the form of sugar. Other people, when installing the alarm, connect the gas tank hatch to the vacuum door drive system, which blocks all locks after pressing the corresponding button on the remote control.

Fuel safety is taken care of not only by vehicle owners, but also by manufacturers. For example, consider the generation VAZ 2101-07 (classic) and modern cars produced by the Togliatti plant. On older modifications, the gas tank was mounted directly behind the rear wing and it was possible to drain the liquid or pour sugar into it without any problems. To do this, unscrew the plug and remove the removable filter from the neck.
In most modern cars (manufactured in the Russian Federation), the fuel tank has migrated under the trunk. Thus, its neck has become much longer, and the mesh is not removable. If some craftsmen manage to drain gasoline from them, then pouring a large amount of sugar is already problematic.

From all this it follows that most of the legends about the overhaul or explosion of the engine are fiction. Even if sugar got into the gas tank, the consequences of this are not as terrible as we used to think. But it is better not to allow such a situation and to isolate the fuel system in advance from the atrocities of persons unfriendly to you by installing a locking mechanism.