Sugar in my gas tank
 

I wasn't sure where to post this so feel free to move it if you have to

But heres my question
Someone put sugar (probably a whole 5lbs bag) in my gas tank and want to know the damage it will do. I know it must have happened Friday night and it was driven alot on Saturday until my G/F went to the gas station and seen the sugar. I've looked up want sugar will do to the gas tank but hear different things (from no effect to a ruined motor). Today is Sunday so no mechanics are open today but would like some input on what needs to be done so on Monday when I see someone about it I know what needs to be done and what doesn't

I figured this was a good fourm because you guys rebuild and tune up your own cars.

Thanks
Daniel

sugar won't do anything.
myth is; it crystallizes in the combustion chamber, but it's not true.

Actually, what does work...
(but i would hope no one would ever do to any person's car)
..is bleach.
Bleach is an oxidizer and will start to rust any metal it gets in contact with.

Good idea to have the sugar removed anyway

If I've already driven it alot before I noticed will it make it worse and should I had it towed to a garage or can I drive it over. Also what kind of time frame do I have? If I drive it for a week before I bring it to a garage is it going to **** it up alot. I really don't want to ruin my sweet ride (97' ply Neon, equipped with cars seat and all baby:headbang: )

Thanks

No - Sugar WILL do something to the engine.

I used to have a shop yrs backand I've rebuilt a lot of mill's. 1 bag of sugar wont really do too much harm, but, any forieng particles (flour, bleach, syrup, etc...) in the tank/gas will/can clog fuel filter, injectors, will burn funny in the combustion chamber and will begin to foul plugs, making mill run like shite and will make its way into the oil - and thats where things go horrible. Sugar in the oil when it hits yer bearings will/can burn a spot on the bearing surface and will greatly (if it hits the bearing) reduce engine life (its what makes connecting rods knock). This also goes for water or coolant that happens to mix with the oil. This is why you have an oil filter, so this shite doesnt end up on bearings, or clogging oil galleys.

what to do - disconect fuel line after fuel filter and cycle the pump to remove all fuel and replace fuel filter then reconnect and hope for the best (engine wise) but I wouldnt worry too much about it. Some cars gas tanks fuel pumps are accessable from inside the car under the rear seat cushion - if so, carefully remove lid (NO SPARKS, use wood dowel rod or something) and syphon the fuel out.

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http://www.snopes.com/autos/grace/sugar.asp