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Sugar in gas tank?

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Old Mar 11, 2009 | 10:53 AM
  #1  
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Default Sugar in gas tank?

Long story short, sugar in gas tank.

How long can you drive a car with sugar in the gas tank?

Someone claims they drove 100 miles before the car got fucked up and it wouldn't start.

However, after asking about 10 mechanics they all said that is not possible, and the fuel line/filter/injectors/etc would get clogged or the engine would get fucked up right away.

What do you guys think? this is actually a very serious question.
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 10:54 AM
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Default Re: Sugar in gas tank?

nothing happens. gas disolves it n/p youd hafta put a SHIT LOAD of it in there to be a problem atall. just top your tank off to thin it out and ur fine.
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 10:56 AM
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Default Re: Sugar in gas tank?

Ever make sweet tea dude?

Do you see sugar floating around in that shit?

It will dissolve.
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 11:54 AM
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Default Re: Sugar in gas tank?

Sugar doesn't dissolve in gasoline. If it dissolves, it's dissolving as a result of H2O, not gasoline. Poor quality gasoline could have water in it.

Sugar, just like sand, in the tank will settle to the bottom. This is due to polarity and solubility properties of it [sugar].

Drop the tank, pour out its contents (the gasoline is still usable -- so filter it and reuse or if you don't wish to reuse don't be a twit and dump it in my well water soil please) and rinse out the tank with fresh gasoline and wipe down with a lint free rag.

Replace fuel PUMP filter (different from that in the engine bay) and if you really are anal, as I am, replace the fuel filter that is right before the fuel rail.

Not too bad for an ex-Navy idiot -- I suppose AP Chemistry in HS alone helped me on this one. :rollseyes:
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 11:56 AM
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Default Re: Sugar in gas tank?

well, according to this site, sugar does not dissolve in gasoline....
http://www.snopes.com/autos/grace/sugar.asp

But according to an Acura tech, it will dissolve/clog up in the fuel lines and filter and injectors, but if run too long, it will get through the injectors and get to the pistons. Wondering, what you're guys' input was. Seems to be pretty biased towards the tech's analysis. However, how long can you drive with it. and will the motor just not start when you try to start it again?
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 11:59 AM
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Default Re: Sugar in gas tank?

maybe itl just explode like on tv. if your that worried about it dont drive it atall? do like dude said and drop your tank, its easy.

now the real meat. how did this happen? Details!
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 12:07 PM
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Default Re: Sugar in gas tank?

Originally Posted by DeFunk
Sugar doesn't dissolve in gasoline. If it dissolves, it's dissolving as a result of H2O, not gasoline. Poor quality gasoline could have water in it.

Sugar, just like sand, in the tank will settle to the bottom. This is due to polarity and solubility properties of it [sugar].

Drop the tank, pour out its contents (the gasoline is still usable -- so filter it and reuse or if you don't wish to reuse don't be a twit and dump it in my well water soil please) and rinse out the tank with fresh gasoline and wipe down with a lint free rag.

Replace fuel PUMP filter (different from that in the engine bay) and if you really are anal, as I am, replace the fuel filter that is right before the fuel rail.

Not too bad for an ex-Navy idiot -- I suppose AP Chemistry in HS alone helped me on this one. :rollseyes:
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 12:10 PM
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Default Re: Sugar in gas tank?

Originally Posted by Chris@SCAutos
Touché. I lol'd.
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 12:14 PM
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Default Re: Sugar in gas tank?

Sugar doesnt dissolve in gas.

dont worry about getting it sucked up through the lines either, your pickup tube has a screen on it and there is a fuel filer that will catch it long before it hits the injectors if it even makes it that far. Chances are, it will just sit in your tank.

BUT I would drain the shit and clean the tank. Just to be safe.
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 12:15 PM
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Default Re: Sugar in gas tank?

mythbusters did this and said it ran better then without it haha

for reference
http://mythbustersresults.com/episode15



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