sugar in gas tank
11-02-2006, 11:07 AM
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sugar in gas tank
A friend of mine has a 05 ZR2 Jimmy that quite running, took it to the dealer they said someone put sugar in the gas tank. Therefore not covered under warrany, but his insurance will cover all except 5% so no big deal.
They said that the engine will need to be rebuild. My question is is this possible that sugar can get buy the tank pickup sreeen, fuel filter and through fuel injectors ?
Does anyone know first hand if sugar can do this kind of damage?
They said that the engine will need to be rebuild. My question is is this possible that sugar can get buy the tank pickup sreeen, fuel filter and through fuel injectors ?
Does anyone know first hand if sugar can do this kind of damage?
11-02-2006, 11:09 AM
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I've always heard sugar to be very bad! I knew someone that had it done to them but they saw some sugar on the ground and never started the car. They had to replace the tank and the vehicle ran fine.
That sucks to have it happen!!
That sucks to have it happen!!
11-02-2006, 11:36 AM
#6
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Granualated sugar can not dissolve much in gas depending on it'* moisture content. But can clog screens. Heavy corn syrup iespecially in the oil can be a quite different story. 
11-02-2006, 11:37 AM
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Have your friend challenge the dealer on their diagnosis.
For those that must read it to believe it, here'* the snopes link to that article:
Sugar in Gas Tank
This quote sums it up pretty well:
And this:
For those that must read it to believe it, here'* the snopes link to that article:
Sugar in Gas Tank
This quote sums it up pretty well:
Yet, even though the sugar will not reach the engine in either syrup or solid state, it can clog the fuel filter or the fuel injectors, a circumstance which could stop a car. A little sugar in the tank could be dealt with by no more than having to change the fuel filter a few times, but a heavier sugaring would require the gas tank be removed from the car and dumped out. Tom and Ray Magliozzi (the hosts of radio'* Car Talk) say it'* not a big job for a good mechanic to drop the tank and clean it out; the process would likely cost the car'* owner somewhere between $100 and $200. Though $100 to $200 is an appreciable sum, it is a far cry from the wished-for outcome of forcing the victim to have to replace the engine or scrap the car.
Accordingly, the best way to gain revenge on someone through the "sugar in the gas tank" prank might be to simply play on the belief rather than the reality — just sprinkle a fair amount of sugar on the ground beneath the opening to the fuel tank of your victim'* car and leave an empty sugar sack in a conspicious spot near the vehicle. Then sit back and watch your victim go wild trying to figure out how to deal with all that sugar he assumes is now in his gas tank.
11-02-2006, 11:39 AM
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Originally Posted by MOS95B
Mythbusters never let the sugar cool down and re-crystalize. I would think that could do bad things to the internals...
Read the Snopes article above.
Good info.
11-02-2006, 01:46 PM
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Many years ago my father had sugar put in his gas tank,(don't ask why) and he had to go get the tank removed flushed by a rad shop and reinstalled with no problems. He didn't know when it was placed, but noticed it when he was refueling with 1/4 tank left.