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Hollywood action movies would lead you to believe that putting sugar in a gas tank could cause a deadly explosion.
However, as you’ve likely discovered, you can’t believe everything you see on the big screen. So, what happens if you end up with sugar in your gas tank?
Today, we’ll answer this important question and help you to know how to respond if it happens to you.
Let’s get started!
Can Sugar in a Gas Tank Do Damage?
Sugar in a gas tank can do damage, but nowhere near what you’d likely expect. Is it painful and frustrating? Absolutely. At the same time, you won’t likely experience any significant or catastrophic damage. The idea of a fiery explosion occurring from the sugar getting to your engine or other components is far from the truth.
While it won’t cause a massive explosion, it can cause problems for components throughout your vehicle. This usually results in having to clean or replace these items, which may be costly, especially if you can’t do it yourself.
What Actually Happens If You Put Sugar in a Gas Tank
Sugar and other contaminants in your gas tank often get filtered out as they pass through your fuel filters. These components filter out items that could cause issues if they go through your fuel lines and into your engine.
If you’ve ever made sweet tea, you know that sugar dissolves quickly when you put it into water. Although, this same reaction doesn’t occur when it’s in gasoline. It will maintain its crystallized structure and get caught in the fuel filter.
When enough contaminants clog your fuel filters, it can restrict the flow of gasoline throughout your fuel lines. This can result in decreased performance and rough idling. You’ll need to clean your filters and flush out the system to ensure you get all the sugar out of the tank and fuel lines.
What Should You Do if You Find Sugar in Your Gas Tank?
If you discover sugar in your gas tank, you’ll want to take action. Ignoring the problem is going to cause it to go away.
Pro Tip: More damage to your gas tank than you thought? Check out the Pros and Cons of Replacing Your Fuel Tank for more on this!
Avoid Starting the Engine
If you can, avoid starting the engine. Despite this, the odds of you being able to do this are slim. Unless you see a funnel sticking out of your fuel tank and sugar on the ground, you won’t know until it’s too late. Once you realize the problem, avoid starting the engine at all costs. While the risks are low, you don’t want to take unnecessary chances.
Call a Tow Truck
You’ll want to call a tow truck since you’re not starting or driving your vehicle. Have them haul it to a trusted mechanic who can take a look at your car. They’ll likely have seen similar situations if they’ve been around the block a time or two. Clogged fuel filters, whether sugar or corrosion from a gas tank, aren’t uncommon.
Inspect and Clean the Fuel System
Whether you hire a mechanic or can do the work yourself, you must inspect and clean the entire fuel system. You’ll need to drain the fuel tank and the lines to remove sugar particles from the system.
It’s not just your fuel filters and the gas tank that you have to worry about. You’ll want to inspect your injectors, fuel pump, and other essential components. Look for evidence that the sugar crystals got by the fuel filter. If they did and were heated, they’ll often become a caramelized material.
Replace Fuel Filters
If your fuel filters did their job, you’ll likely need to replace them. When doing the work yourself, you’ll want to plan and have these parts available. You don’t want to get this far and have to delay finishing the project until the parts arrive in the mail.
These are typically available at many automotive stores. Nevertheless, they’re specific to the make and model of your vehicle, which can make it tricky. If you need help determining which fuel filter you’ll need, consult your owner’s manual or a qualified professional.
Prevent Future Incidents
Once you have a sugar-free gas tank and fuel system, you’ll want to take steps toward preventing these incidents from occurring in the future. One of the easiest ways to do this is to install a locking gas cap. These gas caps allow you to make it very difficult to remove the gas cap unless you have the key.
Some vehicles have locking doors only accessible if you pull a lever inside the car. If this is your vehicle, close these doors when finished fueling. Accidentally leaving them open can leave you and your fuel tank vulnerable to vandalism. So, double-check that you’ve locked the door before getting back into your vehicle.
Should You Worry About Sugar in Your Gas Tank?
Finding sugar in your gas tank is rare. If you discover it, you’ll want to address the situation immediately. Once you do, you’ll want to consider how it got there. Sugar doesn’t accidentally find its way into someone’s gas tank. Someone deliberately placed it in your tank, likely with ill intent. Consider who could be responsible and take action to prevent it from occurring again.
