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Examining (and debunking) the sugar in a gas tank myth
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Ah, sugar in a gas tank… the ultimate destroyer of all car engines, if urban legends are to be believed. But is there any actual truth to this sweet myth? We’re here to break things down. Read on to learn what exactly sugar does in a gas tank, as well as where this legend likely originated from. We’ll even cover what to do in the event that someone sprinkles some of the sweet stuff into your own gas tank, so you can safely hit the road as soon as possible.
Things You Should Know
- Sugar in a gas tank won’t destroy your engine, but it can block up your car’s filtration system. This can create long-term issues in your car, like stalling and power surges.
- The “sugar in a gas tank” myth originated in the 1950s, back when cars had mechanical fuel pumps that could be easily clogged with sugar.
- Visit a mechanic if you suspect someone has dumped sugar into your gas tank. They can take a closer look and clean out your tank.
Steps
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References
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JoRljhOb1g&t=1m30s
- ↑ https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/sugar-gas-tank/
- ↑ https://www.motorbiscuit.com/tell-gas-tank-tampered/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JoRljhOb1g&t=2m22s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_LijfBy9as&T=0m28s
- ↑ https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/sugar-gas-tank/
- ↑ https://www.motorbiscuit.com/tell-gas-tank-tampered/
- ↑ https://transportation.wv.gov/highways/training/TrainingDocuments/Crawfords_Auto_Repair_Guide.pdf
- ↑ https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/sugar-gas-tank/
- ↑ http://www.ankn.uaf.edu/publications/vs/carburetors.html
- ↑ https://www.motorbiscuit.com/tell-gas-tank-tampered/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_LijfBy9as&T=0m28s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_LijfBy9as&t=1m33s
- ↑ https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/sugar-gas-tank/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_LijfBy9as&t=1m40s
- ↑ https://allabouthorsepower.com/5-signs-of-sugar-in-your-gas-tank/
About This Article
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