Does anyone know extent of engine damage or what needs to be done when someone decided to pour 5lbs of sugar in gas tank????

 

was the car started? if so, definite engine damage...if not, it's just sitting in the tank, but you would have to flush everything out, and make sure none did get into the engine

 

Pretty sure it scratches the cylinder walls up. You would have to drain the fuel, flush the lines, and bore out the block.

Then again, your gas filter may catch it all. If so, you'll just have to flush the tank, lines, and get a new filter.

 

It wasn't my ITR. It was my daughters car. And yes, she drove the car until it wouldn't run. I don't know if its worth fixing. 1993 Geo Storm GSI. She only had liability insurance.

 

I'm no mechanic, but I would say the gas filter may be cloged. I would let the engine suck clean gas out of a can, replace the filter and see what happens.

 

Most likely toast. Not sure about scratching cylinders so much as varnishing everything inside. When the sugar burns, it leaves a residue that is not easy to remove. I would look into a replacement engine, but if you can't find one cheap...

Try a complete flush and top end clean. If that doesn't work, she may be SOL.


[Modified by FBP_1171, 10:10 AM 9/17/2001]

 

Thanks!! Sounds like its not worth fixing. I'll wait until the dealership in PA gives me a quote. She called me this morning so upset she couldn't go to school (Villanova). It's just another form of terrorism.

 

I also would recommend a $5 locking gas cap for next time....

 

how did u know it was sugar? was this discovered before or after the engine died?

 

The policeman found the sugar around the area where you put the gas in.