The common belief that pouring sugar into a gas tank will destroy a car engine is largely a myth. Here's why sugar won't actually ruin your engine:

Fuel filters in modern cars effectively block sugar crystals from reaching the engine. These filters are specifically designed to catch debris and impurities before they can cause damage.

Sugar doesn't dissolve in gasoline - it simply sinks to the bottom of the tank. A 1994 Berkeley study proved that less than a teaspoon of sugar could dissolve in 15 gallons of gas. Any additional sugar simply creates a sludge at the tank's bottom.

Modern electronic fuel pumps are more resilient than their mechanical predecessors from the 1950s when this myth began. While sugar might require tank cleaning, it won't cause permanent engine damage.

What's actually dangerous for engines?

Water is far more harmful than sugar to engines because:

• It sinks to the tank's bottom
• When enough water enters the cylinders, it prevents fuel combustion
• However, even water damage can often be reversed using fuel treatment

In conclusion, while sugar in a gas tank might require cleaning, it won't cause the catastrophic engine damage that popular myths suggest. Modern fuel systems have multiple safeguards that prevent such simple sabotage from causing serious harm.

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