How to Determine If Sugar Is Put Into Your Gas Tank?
If you suspect sugar has been put in your gas tank by a vandal or merry prankster, don't fret too much about it ruining your car's engine even though it can be a headache to fix. Sugar does not dissolve in gasoline, meaning that it will sift through the gasoline and eventually remain a grainy substance at the bottom of the fuel tank, much like sand. Also, your gas tank is handily equipped with a filter that blocks out particulates such as sugar or other grainy pollutants. This filter should ensure that sugar never reaches your engine components. Nevertheless, there are other issues. That handy filter protecting your engine can become clogged and cause performance problems even without destroying the engine.
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Instructions
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Is Sugar in the Gas Tank?
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If you suspect tampering with your vehicle, look for signs of tell-tale activity. For example, you might become concerned if you see traces of a white, gritty substance on the driveway in the vicinity of your gas tank. If your suspicion is strong enough, tread carefully. CarTalk.com suggests that you have the car inspected before even starting the engine, possibly easing the difficulty and cost of repair.
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If there has been tampering and you choose to drive the vehicle, the car likely will start to sputter, seize and stall, according to Cecil Adams in the "Straight Dope." He says this is a typical response when the fuel delivery system has been clogged. Immediately changing the fuel filter will help solve the problem and could remove much of the substance, but you may need to exchange the filter several times before the filter clears.
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Having a professional drain the gas tank should finish resolving the problem. CarTalk.com urges you to have your car towed to a professional mechanic rather than trying to do this process yourself. The cost for this service will exceed that of an oil change but is far less than a complete engine overhaul. Be prepared to pony up for costs in the range of a few hundred dollars. Then, of course, also expect the cost of a new fill-up for the cleaned-out tank.
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