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In addition to the mechanic advice, OP needs to file a police report. Someone deliberately tried to damage the vehicle. It should be covered under a comprehensive policy, but a police report will likely be required for an insurance claim.
Get it towed to a shop before you let it run one more second. It will be far cheaper than the cost of repairs once that stuff gets into the rest of the fuel system
I left my car at my moms for a week while on vacation so I have no clue how long this stuff has been in the car and it has been running fine I’m on my way to the mechanic now
Check all the gas pumps before use. In Chicago someone was tampering with gas pumps at my local Shell putting powder bleach in the “vapor catch” I think that’s what it’s called. They were quick enough to catch it before anyone fell for it. Also left us know what it is. I’m interested in the answer.
"Left car at Mom's for a week".
My bet is on a pissed off neighbor that was livid the car was parked up there for a week.
Either that or a child being a little... You know what.
Kinda looks like powdered laundry detergent, no?
Just a guess tho!
My sister and i had a thing about putting coins in the heater vents as kids. We figured they HAD to belong there because there were slots and coins belong in slots because VENDING MACHINES. More than once the electrics shorted out when dad took a corner, but he was a mechanic so it all worked out in the end 😅
Child being a little….
Very likely. As a kid (5) I got mad that a moving truck was blocking my sidewalk and I couldn’t ride my tricycle past it. I saw a bundle of wires hanging under it and I went to my dads tool box and grabbed some wire cutters. Parents stopped me and I got in a ton of trouble. So I can understand kids doing really stupid things for stupid reasons.
I did all kinds of stupid shit as a kid, I didn’t have evil intentions, I just fucked with EVERYTHING. My brother and I mixed chemicals, set fires, blew things up, experimented with electricity, etc. We watched 3 2 1 Contact, Mr. Wizard, etc. and wanted to try out everything we saw on the shows as soon as our parents weren’t looking.
I do not. I’ve nannied and have some shitty neighbor kids that repeatedly stole my mini trampoline and I stole it back. Repeat.
It’s at least a kid who is 12, and like I said, they would have done it to intentionally cause damage. I didn’t say a kid can’t do it, I said a kid didn’t think of that on their own.
It isn’t like a 6 year old wandered down the street and dumped borax into someone’s gas tank. At least a pre-teen would be the age of a kid to do this Shit.
I’m curious to know if moms house is still in the same neighborhood that OP grew up in. If so then the possibilities could go back ages. If not, I think you are right.
Sometimes people/kids are just assholes. It's not asking the real questions, it's being a moron and assuming they did something wrong.
It's like people here are addicted to making baseless assumptions and being proven wrong and doing it again.
My favorite assumption is that somebody parked at an angle intentionally when the fact was they were the last one in and the guy already there was at an angle.
Yeah, this is a pet peeve of mine. People who blame a victim rather than the outright culprit. Same thing as the "you should have locked your car" instead of "that thief had no right taking things that didn't belong to them"
I know one person who had air left out of his tire for parking in “someone’s” street parking location. Another had a pin hole put into a radiator line so it would slowly drip.
Some people are just stupid assholes.
Then go journal about it or w/e makes you feel better that doesn’t involve property destruction in retaliation for your fragile little fee-fee’s getting hurt.
(Yes I know you’re just being facetious. Sadly some assholes actually think being upset is a legitimate excuse 🙄)
Was literally writing out a comment above that psychopaths and narcissists will try to destroy your life for things you didn't know you did. It could be ANY slight THEY perceive as having "wronged" them. They'll never discuss it, just try to sabotage your life or kill you. And in their mind, they'd be justified in doing it. Freaky as fuck having one stalk you.
So all these people asking OP who he pissed off...the correct answer could literally be, he has no idea, in the case of a narcissist/psychopath.
More likely a narcissist, they're petty I believe psychopaths are not, you'd have to have something they want or be in their way of getting something. Narcissists are lower than a dog poo, most of them
my aunt was getting separated from her abusive husband after he kicked her out of the house with the children. so she was living in the car with her kids, the husband somehow found the car while they were away from it, and poured sugar or something into the tank. she did not notice and her car just stop working.
point is don't drive the car, and get the police involved.
Think if you really pissed someone off. Someone is trying to destroy your car and make your life hell for a few days. Look for any video evidence if at work or have security cameras at home
If he didn't drive to much I think the filter should have caught to most of it.
But definitely don't drive anymore, get it pumped out and flushed/cleaned.
They will also put in a new filter. After this drive till you emptied maybe 5 Fillings of your tank, then replace the Gasfilter again, just to be sure. It's cheap and easy to replace
No the warranty was for lifetime parts, I only had to pay labor 2 more times... Damn that sounds bad.
And it was my o my car at the time so if had to be fixed. Now it's jusg the workhorse until it dies 😂
Ah that makes a lot more sense my bad.
I feel the same about my car. I've gotten almost 400k km out of it and she still goes so I will run it into the ground
It's another layer of protection. Not perfect but better.
That's like saying since a James Bond level of burglar could bypass you alarm, cameras and door locks you should leave your doors unlocked.
Your windows are very easily broken with a random rock, should you leave them open?
I doubt someone would go back for a drill when they noticed that you have a locking gas cap. They would either leave your vehicle alone or damage something else on it.
Don’t start the vehicle. That was definitely put there deliberately and who knows what it could do to your engine if it reaches the fuel pump. Have it towed and the fuel tank removed and cleaned or replaced. After that’s fine I would run some fuel system cleaner through a full tank to be safe.
For all you guys panicking about the "ol sugar in the gas tank" trick...
It [will NOT destroy the engine.](https://www.capitolsubaru.com/service/faqs/can-sugar-in-my-gas-tank-ruin-my-engine-salem-or.htm) but could clog injectors if any of the sediment gets past the filter. Sugar isn't soluble in gasoline.
You really think it will make it past the filter? I mean it's certainly possible with time... but realistically, the filter is designed to remove smaller particles than that
One of the things about crimes involving a car is that almost all of them are a felony. You should go talk to neighbors and people you suspect. Mention this and see who gets shifty.
Like many others said, file a police report. Also, look around the neighborhood for any home security cameras, including doorbell cameras and mention any you see to police. They may ask the owners to see any footage, they could, although unlikely, even obtain a warrant for it... most departments won't pursue stuff like this as much as they should, but if a camera was on it, and they think it'd be an easy solve, they might.
Also if you have time, ask around the hood, tell them somone put detergent in your tank, and that a police report has been filed, MAKE EYE CONTACT (slightly more than normal) when you do so, see who gets nervous. People who vandalize out of anger often do so because they are nervous people, and afraid of any real confrontation.
Using method 1, the police were able to catch a guy that smashed my driver's mirror and many other's in my neighborhood. Using method 2, I was able to guide police to a neighbor that stole some tools from my garage.
No guarantees, but good luck!
As long as you don’t run your car this can be saved. But yeah this was intentional. You can do it yourself but if you have zero mechanic skills or ability to learn take it to a garage to get fixed
That’s laundry detergent, and yes you were vandalized. I’ve seen this before and had to drop the fuel tank and flush it out and dispose of all the contaminated fuel. It will clog your injectors and cause fuel pump issues. Dude that it happened to was banging another guys wife, what did you do…
DO NOT RUN THE ENGINE. Someone put this in your gas tank, it'll kill your engine. Get it towed to a shop and tell them what happened. Show them this picture.
Why Is the Urban Legend Wrong?
As the legend goes, the sugar will dissolve in the gas tank. Then, when the gas is brought up into the engine, the dissolved sugar will caramelize. This then coats the engine's components, completely ruining it. However, the truth is that sugar does not dissolve in gasoline. If sugar is poured into your gas tank, it will remain in its sediment state and settle to the bottom; even if the sediment is disturbed, it won't pass through the filters.
[##Detergent on the other hand is bad](https://piketransit.com/detergent-in-gas-tank/)
What if there's water in your gas? Wouldn't some of the sugar dissolve? I remember my mother having to put dry-gas in her car in the winter every now and then because of trace amounts of water.
That's one of my fears, as I worked hard to get my car. I thought someone was messing with my car at one point, but I could be wrong. File a police report. Take to mechanic before driving it. I swear, some people are just plain old evil. I hope you get it figured out soon, with no issues. ♥
Have it towed immediately. At minimum you’ll need your tank cleaned. Other posters may be right as that looks like detergent or Ajax which can absolutely fuck your engine. File a police report.
Sounds like my brother. He was always making traps and digging punji pits. It's a good thing we didn't have access to Claymore mines. My Dad should have never given him that Army Field Manual.
Looks like sugar indeed, if you can, please don't try to turn the car on. Empty the gas tank and change the fuel filter. Also you might consider buying some sort of fuel cap with a lock key to avoid this situation in the future. Someone is trying to damage your property unfortunately.
If you are not mechanically inclined, bring the car to a independent mechanic, don't bring it to a dealer as they will most likely charge you for stuff that does not need to be done.
Some other more experienced folks will be able to give you more advice.
That’s one of the features I really like about my ‘12 Chrysler 300; it has the capless filler system, but the fuel door locks, and can only be released by pressing a button inside the car.
Yeah, don't drive it. Someone put that there to mess up your car. Not sure if detergent will make it gel, but dish soap will...
Time for a locking cap and car alarm.
Keep us posted! I wanna know! I'd bet powdered sugar, maybe flour. Possibly corn starch. Be ready for an expensive bill. The gas is no good, the tank has to come out, new fuel filter, tank cleaning fuel system cleaner. Maybe a good ole Seafoam Challenge.
Looks like sugar. Won’t do much but still have it towed so a qualified mechanic can flush the system.
They may have been smart enough to put something like bleach in there too.
Sugar won’t really do much except maybe clog a fuel filter (maybe…)
But bleach will absolutely destroy your vehicle.
Have it towed and don’t start it. Hopefully it’s just sugar or laundry soap and not bleach
This is something i find terrifying. My landloard caught some kids doing this randomly to ppls cars. Some ppl cant afford to get this fixed. Lets also not forget the passive aggressive attitude of a steryotype. This person could have done something the others dream so they did this to get back at them lol
Don't know about flour, but sugar won't do shit.
It doesn't dissolve in petrol, so it can only be pumped as a solid. Which will be trapped in the filters (if it doesn't just sink to the bottom of the tank.
If it would dissolve or hou don't have filters, then yes
Damn for real?
With smaller tolerances in everything and higher fuel pressures (especially with direct Injection engines) I would expect you would want to have a filter nowadays.
before i look at the comments. uhh yeah duh somebody was messing with your car. DO NOT START THAT CAR. and beat the hell outta whoever until they pay to get your tank dropped 👌🏽😤
I saw on 1000 ways to die where thieves blew themselves up trying to steal gas with a vacuum because static in the vacuum ignited it. I wouldn't recommend a traditional vacuum for this, maybe one of those ones that run off compressed air.
Do NOT vacuum this. The vacuum will pull in fuel vapors, then the vapors combined with the air in the vacuum will find the electric motor in the vacuum to make a nice bomb.
U would be very surprised on what it takes to stop a car with additives in the tank, a friend of mine hated her step dad, he beat on her mom stole money a real big pos, she added everything they had in the house to his tank and then came to me for ideas, she put syrup, washing powders, dish detergents, fabric softener, sugar and flour, what did it tho was bleach
That is sugar in your fuel tank. Also manufacturers put a little filter bag over the fuel intake for your in tank fuel pump. So in a perfect world the sugar grit won't enter your fuel pump or cause any issues. Just drive it to a shop and tell them your issue. Also your in line fuel filter is pretty big. Like the volume of a soda can big if this is a SUV size car. (Trucks are bigger size) and will catch the sugar before it goes to anything expensive.
This is why I'm glad my tank is locked from the inside, can only access it from unlocking the car door.. though if you're REALLY determined you could get it opened. But if they spend that much time trying to pry my gas tank open there's something wrong.
Thanks for posting on /r/MechanicAdvice! This is just a reminder to review the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/about/rules/). If you are here asking about a second opinion (ie "Is the shop trying to fleece me?"), please read through CJM8515's [post on the subject.](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/4qblei/fyi_the_shop_isnt_likely_trying_to_rip_you_off/) and remember to please post the year/make/model of the vehicle you are working on. **If this post is about bodywork, accident damage, paint, dent/ding, questions it belongs in /r/Autobody r/AutoBodyRepair/ or /r/Diyautobody/ If you have tire questions check out https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/k9ll55/can_your_tire_be_repaired/**. If you dont have a question and you're just showing off it belongs in /r/Justrolledintotheshop Insurance/total loss questions go in r/insurance This is an automated reply *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MechanicAdvice) if you have any questions or concerns.*
In addition to the mechanic advice, OP needs to file a police report. Someone deliberately tried to damage the vehicle. It should be covered under a comprehensive policy, but a police report will likely be required for an insurance claim.
Get it towed to a shop before you let it run one more second. It will be far cheaper than the cost of repairs once that stuff gets into the rest of the fuel system
Yep, OP I would have that mechanic also install a locking gas cap so no one can mess with it any further.
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I left my car at my moms for a week while on vacation so I have no clue how long this stuff has been in the car and it has been running fine I’m on my way to the mechanic now
Really curious to hear what the mechanic says.
Check all the gas pumps before use. In Chicago someone was tampering with gas pumps at my local Shell putting powder bleach in the “vapor catch” I think that’s what it’s called. They were quick enough to catch it before anyone fell for it. Also left us know what it is. I’m interested in the answer.
Get a gas cap with a key
one of your mom’s neighbor doesn’t like long term parking?
By "bringing it" I hope to go you mean towing it
your mom ? or someone else’s mom ?
Stuns me that people are asking what YOU did... anyway, don't forget to let us know what in the heck it was!!
It's reddit. OP is probably receiving death threats already.
Its because we live in a “ blame the victim” culture.
Did you smell it?
No, it's fentinyl.
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"Left car at Mom's for a week". My bet is on a pissed off neighbor that was livid the car was parked up there for a week. Either that or a child being a little... You know what. Kinda looks like powdered laundry detergent, no? Just a guess tho!
I filled my aunt's mustang filler neck full of acorns as a toddler.
Was it broaken afterwards?
It was a little nutty.
Seems a little squirrelly to me.
My sister and i had a thing about putting coins in the heater vents as kids. We figured they HAD to belong there because there were slots and coins belong in slots because VENDING MACHINES. More than once the electrics shorted out when dad took a corner, but he was a mechanic so it all worked out in the end 😅
My kids put a handful of coins in my cars cassette player
I put sand and rocks in my moms trailblazer when I was 5
My dad's muffler was the perfect place for my stick collection. He wasn't thrilled
Hehe
I’m sure auntie had it coming. She probably made you eat a vegetable? How dare she!
That's a whole new spin on "engine cleaner"
Child being a little…. Very likely. As a kid (5) I got mad that a moving truck was blocking my sidewalk and I couldn’t ride my tricycle past it. I saw a bundle of wires hanging under it and I went to my dads tool box and grabbed some wire cutters. Parents stopped me and I got in a ton of trouble. So I can understand kids doing really stupid things for stupid reasons.
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You grossly underestimate kids.
I did all kinds of stupid shit as a kid, I didn’t have evil intentions, I just fucked with EVERYTHING. My brother and I mixed chemicals, set fires, blew things up, experimented with electricity, etc. We watched 3 2 1 Contact, Mr. Wizard, etc. and wanted to try out everything we saw on the shows as soon as our parents weren’t looking.
I do not. I’ve nannied and have some shitty neighbor kids that repeatedly stole my mini trampoline and I stole it back. Repeat. It’s at least a kid who is 12, and like I said, they would have done it to intentionally cause damage. I didn’t say a kid can’t do it, I said a kid didn’t think of that on their own. It isn’t like a 6 year old wandered down the street and dumped borax into someone’s gas tank. At least a pre-teen would be the age of a kid to do this Shit.
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To me it almost looks like hair bleach with that blueish hue to it.
Unclehol used “insightful observation.” It was super effective.
I’m curious to know if moms house is still in the same neighborhood that OP grew up in. If so then the possibilities could go back ages. If not, I think you are right.
Asking the real questions.
Sometimes people/kids are just assholes. It's not asking the real questions, it's being a moron and assuming they did something wrong. It's like people here are addicted to making baseless assumptions and being proven wrong and doing it again.
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My favorite assumption is that somebody parked at an angle intentionally when the fact was they were the last one in and the guy already there was at an angle.
Yeah, this is a pet peeve of mine. People who blame a victim rather than the outright culprit. Same thing as the "you should have locked your car" instead of "that thief had no right taking things that didn't belong to them"
I know one person who had air left out of his tire for parking in “someone’s” street parking location. Another had a pin hole put into a radiator line so it would slowly drip. Some people are just stupid assholes.
I'll reserve my comment on this until I find out if this person has a booming sound system or a fart can muffler.
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But what if I'm *reallly* upset?
Then go journal about it or w/e makes you feel better that doesn’t involve property destruction in retaliation for your fragile little fee-fee’s getting hurt. (Yes I know you’re just being facetious. Sadly some assholes actually think being upset is a legitimate excuse 🙄)
I'm with you except for the offensive to millions of church goers irreverent use of their figure head as epithet.
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So adding wrong to wrong is helpful?
Is that... detergent?
I think so. Or straight borax.
he's called Borat
I was thinking flour? 🤷♂️
The blue tint makes me think hair bleach.
I was thinking that too….
Definitely too fine for sugar unless it's powdered, but that blue tint is not sugar. Hair bleach, powdered bleach, or detergent.
Aluminum oxide possibly. Very fine. Very abrasive.
Laundry or dry dishwasher soap. Not good
No, you can’t buy the cheapest fuel and then add *Tide* afterwards to increase the detergent levels
It appears you've been courting a psychopath.
Was literally writing out a comment above that psychopaths and narcissists will try to destroy your life for things you didn't know you did. It could be ANY slight THEY perceive as having "wronged" them. They'll never discuss it, just try to sabotage your life or kill you. And in their mind, they'd be justified in doing it. Freaky as fuck having one stalk you. So all these people asking OP who he pissed off...the correct answer could literally be, he has no idea, in the case of a narcissist/psychopath.
More likely a narcissist, they're petty I believe psychopaths are not, you'd have to have something they want or be in their way of getting something. Narcissists are lower than a dog poo, most of them
Doesn’t have to be someone OP knows doesn’t it? May have been the guy/guy they accidentally cut in front of at the store without noticing?
my aunt was getting separated from her abusive husband after he kicked her out of the house with the children. so she was living in the car with her kids, the husband somehow found the car while they were away from it, and poured sugar or something into the tank. she did not notice and her car just stop working. point is don't drive the car, and get the police involved.
Think if you really pissed someone off. Someone is trying to destroy your car and make your life hell for a few days. Look for any video evidence if at work or have security cameras at home
If OP doesn't have insurance and runs his/her engine, it will take a lot more than a few days to save up enough cash for a new motor
If he didn't drive to much I think the filter should have caught to most of it. But definitely don't drive anymore, get it pumped out and flushed/cleaned. They will also put in a new filter. After this drive till you emptied maybe 5 Fillings of your tank, then replace the Gasfilter again, just to be sure. It's cheap and easy to replace
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Yeah my expedition was a thousand dollars a pop (well I got lifetime part after the first one.) Have to drop tank just to get it
I wouldn't trust any filter that says "lifetime"
No the warranty was for lifetime parts, I only had to pay labor 2 more times... Damn that sounds bad. And it was my o my car at the time so if had to be fixed. Now it's jusg the workhorse until it dies 😂
Ah that makes a lot more sense my bad. I feel the same about my car. I've gotten almost 400k km out of it and she still goes so I will run it into the ground
However you decide to fix this, get a locking gas cap to prevent a re-occurrence.
Locking gas cap is very easily disabled with 1 screw and a drill with 5 seconds of time. https://youtu.be/8AuiZGcHEo8
It's another layer of protection. Not perfect but better. That's like saying since a James Bond level of burglar could bypass you alarm, cameras and door locks you should leave your doors unlocked.
Your windows are very easily broken with a random rock, should you leave them open? I doubt someone would go back for a drill when they noticed that you have a locking gas cap. They would either leave your vehicle alone or damage something else on it.
Don’t start the vehicle. That was definitely put there deliberately and who knows what it could do to your engine if it reaches the fuel pump. Have it towed and the fuel tank removed and cleaned or replaced. After that’s fine I would run some fuel system cleaner through a full tank to be safe.
You got enemies?
Yeah someone is trying to ruin your fuel system (and more). Any enemies you've made recently? Get it towed so it doesn't run any longer
Your car clearly has a drug problem. Drive it straight to an AA meeting.
I believe it would be AAA. Alcoholic Automobiles Anonymous
Anti aircraft artillery
AA is for drinky drink. NA is for Bogota Bullion.
Good joke but just in case anyone out there needs help with their addiction either AA or NA will accept you.
For all you guys panicking about the "ol sugar in the gas tank" trick... It [will NOT destroy the engine.](https://www.capitolsubaru.com/service/faqs/can-sugar-in-my-gas-tank-ruin-my-engine-salem-or.htm) but could clog injectors if any of the sediment gets past the filter. Sugar isn't soluble in gasoline.
I only that was sugar...
Despite your typo, I agree lol
Granules of sugar are not good for cylinder walls
You really think it will make it past the filter? I mean it's certainly possible with time... but realistically, the filter is designed to remove smaller particles than that
Not to mention it won't get through the fuel injector nozzle....
I mean, it will sure AF clog it tho... if by some miracle it gets past the filter
Yep, the point being, those sugar granules will never make it into the cylinder.
Was about to ask why is everyone removing fuel filters from their cars.... LOL Are we giving advice based on movies now?
Usually suggested to run a fuel filter. And if your injectors are large enough to pass a sugar granule, Im impressed.
[The injectors that people assume are installed](https://youtu.be/urZVDTkZXdE) Loud noise warning
my best guess would be, yes.
Sugar doesn't cake though. That looks more like a flour type substance.
Looks like powder detergent
Powdered sugar?
The lice hate the sugar
It's delicious
Hey, Charlie's Angel.
More power?
Cocaine
...and cocaine accessories.
One of the things about crimes involving a car is that almost all of them are a felony. You should go talk to neighbors and people you suspect. Mention this and see who gets shifty.
Like many others said, file a police report. Also, look around the neighborhood for any home security cameras, including doorbell cameras and mention any you see to police. They may ask the owners to see any footage, they could, although unlikely, even obtain a warrant for it... most departments won't pursue stuff like this as much as they should, but if a camera was on it, and they think it'd be an easy solve, they might. Also if you have time, ask around the hood, tell them somone put detergent in your tank, and that a police report has been filed, MAKE EYE CONTACT (slightly more than normal) when you do so, see who gets nervous. People who vandalize out of anger often do so because they are nervous people, and afraid of any real confrontation. Using method 1, the police were able to catch a guy that smashed my driver's mirror and many other's in my neighborhood. Using method 2, I was able to guide police to a neighbor that stole some tools from my garage. No guarantees, but good luck!
Don't start the car. Make a police report and an insurance claim.
As long as you don’t run your car this can be saved. But yeah this was intentional. You can do it yourself but if you have zero mechanic skills or ability to learn take it to a garage to get fixed
Snort it
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Blue, Yellow, Pink. Whatever man, just keep bringing me that!
I hate chilli powder
This comment wins this thread.
You got one part of that wrong. *This*, is not meth
Hey guys this is serious so quite methin around.
This, is not meth
If you're lucky it's cocaine...
Looking like your car has a Coke problem..
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Attakid!
Really shows what kind of people are on Reddit with these replies lol
That’s laundry detergent, and yes you were vandalized. I’ve seen this before and had to drop the fuel tank and flush it out and dispose of all the contaminated fuel. It will clog your injectors and cause fuel pump issues. Dude that it happened to was banging another guys wife, what did you do…
Who did ya piss off? Ex lover? Did you just park REALLY bad? There's definitely a story of revenge here
Or just a douche bag who wants to ruin someones day picked OP
Your car might have a drug habit
Don’t drive any farther. Salt or sugar. Terrible for the fuel system
Yeah, I'd say someone was messing with it, or your car is snorting cocaine when you're not looking.
looks like powdered dishwasher detergent
DO NOT RUN THE ENGINE. Someone put this in your gas tank, it'll kill your engine. Get it towed to a shop and tell them what happened. Show them this picture.
Most def. Don't start that. Get it towed and the whole thing flushed. Someone either doesn't like you or tried to shorten your life
Someone's seen *Licence to Kill* and got the wrong car
Portland Cement
Why Is the Urban Legend Wrong? As the legend goes, the sugar will dissolve in the gas tank. Then, when the gas is brought up into the engine, the dissolved sugar will caramelize. This then coats the engine's components, completely ruining it. However, the truth is that sugar does not dissolve in gasoline. If sugar is poured into your gas tank, it will remain in its sediment state and settle to the bottom; even if the sediment is disturbed, it won't pass through the filters. [##Detergent on the other hand is bad](https://piketransit.com/detergent-in-gas-tank/)
I don't think I've ever seen an article so long that says absolutely nothing other than the title and restating the obvious factoid over and over.
Holy crap that article is awful. Did chatgpt write it?
What if there's water in your gas? Wouldn't some of the sugar dissolve? I remember my mother having to put dry-gas in her car in the winter every now and then because of trace amounts of water.
That’s detergent. Either laundry or dishwasher, it can really mess up your car so best advice is to get it towed and flush your tank
“Fuel system clean “ make sure do double the rinse cycle. 😂
That's one of my fears, as I worked hard to get my car. I thought someone was messing with my car at one point, but I could be wrong. File a police report. Take to mechanic before driving it. I swear, some people are just plain old evil. I hope you get it figured out soon, with no issues. ♥
Looks like powdered sugar
Have it towed immediately. At minimum you’ll need your tank cleaned. Other posters may be right as that looks like detergent or Ajax which can absolutely fuck your engine. File a police report.
Draino mixing with the fuel can cause an explosion be careful and get this checked out !!
Powdered sugar?
The lice HATE sugar.
Sugar won't dissolve in gas.
What about the classic “sugar it the gas tank trick” apparently that was a thing in the 70’s and 80’s? Would ruin the motor. Urban myth?
Sweeeeeet cocaine
Is this one of those cars where the fuel door can be opened without a lever or button near the driver seat?
Not good, might be soap or even some flamable powder
Creme pie
Has your vehicle been to Columbia recently?
I see a hint of blue in there, could be Ajax
Did you park your car blocking one of your moms neighbors spot while you were on vaca ?
I was naturally destructive as a teenager, no assistance needed 🐔of course reading my dad’s army books probably helped 🇺🇸👍🏼
Sounds like my brother. He was always making traps and digging punji pits. It's a good thing we didn't have access to Claymore mines. My Dad should have never given him that Army Field Manual.
Did you piss off an ex-girlfriend?
Dude, that is not where you store the Cocaine! :)
r/Dontputyourdickinthat
Looks like sugar indeed, if you can, please don't try to turn the car on. Empty the gas tank and change the fuel filter. Also you might consider buying some sort of fuel cap with a lock key to avoid this situation in the future. Someone is trying to damage your property unfortunately. If you are not mechanically inclined, bring the car to a independent mechanic, don't bring it to a dealer as they will most likely charge you for stuff that does not need to be done. Some other more experienced folks will be able to give you more advice.
That’s one of the features I really like about my ‘12 Chrysler 300; it has the capless filler system, but the fuel door locks, and can only be released by pressing a button inside the car.
Or a big enough screwdriver
As a girl- that looks like hair bleach
Yeah, don't drive it. Someone put that there to mess up your car. Not sure if detergent will make it gel, but dish soap will... Time for a locking cap and car alarm.
You're someone's coke mule bruh
Keep us posted! I wanna know! I'd bet powdered sugar, maybe flour. Possibly corn starch. Be ready for an expensive bill. The gas is no good, the tank has to come out, new fuel filter, tank cleaning fuel system cleaner. Maybe a good ole Seafoam Challenge.
Looks like sugar. Won’t do much but still have it towed so a qualified mechanic can flush the system. They may have been smart enough to put something like bleach in there too. Sugar won’t really do much except maybe clog a fuel filter (maybe…) But bleach will absolutely destroy your vehicle. Have it towed and don’t start it. Hopefully it’s just sugar or laundry soap and not bleach
Is it coke ? Someone trying to get rid of evidence? 🤔
It’s got a blueish tint to it, so I’d say it’s laundry soap.
Smurf coke
This is something i find terrifying. My landloard caught some kids doing this randomly to ppls cars. Some ppl cant afford to get this fixed. Lets also not forget the passive aggressive attitude of a steryotype. This person could have done something the others dream so they did this to get back at them lol
You must be a karen.
Damn dude, take the Trump sticker off your car….too many assholes out there
Sugar or flour or powder. All will stop your engine.
Don't know about flour, but sugar won't do shit. It doesn't dissolve in petrol, so it can only be pumped as a solid. Which will be trapped in the filters (if it doesn't just sink to the bottom of the tank. If it would dissolve or hou don't have filters, then yes
Many cars these days don’t have fuel filters anymore, just a particulate screen.
Most filters are inside the fuel pump assembly instead of inline, so they do have filters.
Again, depends on the car. The Honda Civic for example hasn't had a filter since 2005. I did not say **ALL** cars, I said *many*.
Damn for real? With smaller tolerances in everything and higher fuel pressures (especially with direct Injection engines) I would expect you would want to have a filter nowadays.
Coke 🙄
before i look at the comments. uhh yeah duh somebody was messing with your car. DO NOT START THAT CAR. and beat the hell outta whoever until they pay to get your tank dropped 👌🏽😤
Vacuum that mess out and find a shop
I saw on 1000 ways to die where thieves blew themselves up trying to steal gas with a vacuum because static in the vacuum ignited it. I wouldn't recommend a traditional vacuum for this, maybe one of those ones that run off compressed air.
Yeah, vacuuming gas does not sound like a good idea in anyway
Interesting! TIL
Do NOT vacuum this. The vacuum will pull in fuel vapors, then the vapors combined with the air in the vacuum will find the electric motor in the vacuum to make a nice bomb.
Oh hell have no fury like a woman scorned. Sorry bruv that’s sabotage!
U would be very surprised on what it takes to stop a car with additives in the tank, a friend of mine hated her step dad, he beat on her mom stole money a real big pos, she added everything they had in the house to his tank and then came to me for ideas, she put syrup, washing powders, dish detergents, fabric softener, sugar and flour, what did it tho was bleach
Cartel car. Was used for muleing…lol. Take it down to the police station and have a dog sniff around haha
What the actual fuck? Is that washing powder? Talcum powder?
That is sugar in your fuel tank. Also manufacturers put a little filter bag over the fuel intake for your in tank fuel pump. So in a perfect world the sugar grit won't enter your fuel pump or cause any issues. Just drive it to a shop and tell them your issue. Also your in line fuel filter is pretty big. Like the volume of a soda can big if this is a SUV size car. (Trucks are bigger size) and will catch the sugar before it goes to anything expensive.
This is why I'm glad my tank is locked from the inside, can only access it from unlocking the car door.. though if you're REALLY determined you could get it opened. But if they spend that much time trying to pry my gas tank open there's something wrong.