{"id":506226,"date":"2021-01-05T14:47:48","date_gmt":"2021-01-05T21:47:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/?p=506226"},"modified":"2021-01-05T14:47:48","modified_gmt":"2021-01-05T21:47:48","slug":"bleach-in-a-gas-tank","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/bleach-in-a-gas-tank\/","title":{"rendered":"Bleach in a Gas Tank? (Short and Long Term Effects)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>While it\u2019s unlikely that you\u2019ve intentionally poured bleach into your own gas tank, it\u2019s not unheard of for people to try and get back at someone they don\u2019t like by mixing things into their gas tank.<\/p>\n<p>But what do you do if you suspect you&#8217;re a victim of someone that has bleached your gas tank? How bad is it? The truth might be more surprising than you think.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_39 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" area-label=\"ez-toc-toggle-icon-1\"><label for=\"item-639b0662d8144\" aria-label=\"Table of Content\"><span style=\"display: flex;align-items: center;width: 35px;height: 30px;justify-content: center;direction:ltr;\"><svg style=\"fill: #23627c;color:#23627c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #23627c;color:#23627c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"item-639b0662d8144\"><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-visibility-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/bleach-in-a-gas-tank\/#Why-You-Shouldnt-Mix-Bleach-and-Gasoline\" title=\"Why You Shouldn\u2019t Mix Bleach and Gasoline\">Why You Shouldn\u2019t Mix Bleach and Gasoline<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/bleach-in-a-gas-tank\/#Short-Term-Effects\" title=\"Short Term Effects\">Short Term Effects<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/bleach-in-a-gas-tank\/#Long-Term-Effects\" title=\"Long Term Effects\">Long Term Effects<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/bleach-in-a-gas-tank\/#How-Much-Bleach-Would-It-Take-to-Ruin-an-Engine\" title=\"How Much Bleach Would It Take to Ruin an Engine?\">How Much Bleach Would It Take to Ruin an Engine?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/bleach-in-a-gas-tank\/#What-to-Do-if-You-Suspect-Someone-Poured-Bleach-in-Your-Gas-Tank\" title=\"What to Do if You Suspect Someone Poured Bleach in Your Gas Tank\">What to Do if You Suspect Someone Poured Bleach in Your Gas Tank<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why-You-Shouldnt-Mix-Bleach-and-Gasoline\"><\/span>Why You Shouldn\u2019t Mix Bleach and Gasoline<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>While the urban legend is that <a href=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/sugar-in-the-gas-tank\/\">sugar in your gas tank<\/a> will destroy your engine, the truth is that bleach will do far more damage. When bleach mixes with fuel inside a gas tank, two main reactions occur.<\/p>\n<p>First, since bleach is mostly water, it settles towards the bottom of the gas tank. This water will lead to significant performance issues as you drive the car.<\/p>\n<p>The second reaction comes when the chlorine mixes with the fuel. When the chlorine hits the fuel, it will react immediately. This reaction will burn the chlorine out of the bleach, which does two things.<\/p>\n<p>It starts by becoming a corrosive oxidizer, which can cause all sorts of problems. Additionally, it turns the fuel that it contacted with mostly inert.<\/p>\n<p>When this fuel hits the engine, you\u2019ll have significantly reduced performance. The more bleach added, the more pronounced the effect, especially since there will be tons of water in the engine.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Short-Term-Effects\"><\/span>Short Term Effects<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-506232\" src=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/fuel-tank-fill-cap.jpg\" alt=\"fuel tank fill cap\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/fuel-tank-fill-cap.jpg 720w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/fuel-tank-fill-cap-200x112.jpg 200w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/fuel-tank-fill-cap-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The first thing you\u2019ll notice is that your engine will struggle to stay running, or it will run poorly. Exactly what will happen depends on how much bleach someone added to the fuel tank and how full the gas tank was when the bleach was mixed.<\/p>\n<p>The more diluted the mixture, the better off you\u2019ll be. Still, it would take a lot of bleach to stall out an engine, and the more likely response is reduced performance.<\/p>\n<p>However, even if your engine is still running after someone added bleach to the gas tank, you need to repair the issues as soon as possible. That\u2019s because the long-term effects of adding bleach to the gas tank are far worse and expensive than a rough ride.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Long-Term-Effects\"><\/span>Long Term Effects<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Bleach is mostly water and chlorine. Water corrodes, and bleach is a corrosive oxidizer. What that means is that you\u2019ll end up with tons of rust and worn out gaskets and seals.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s not something you\u2019ll likely notice right away, but that doesn\u2019t mean that the effects aren\u2019t already taking place.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, when <a href=\"https:\/\/mythresults.com\/episode15\">MythBusters <\/a>ran this experiment on the show, the entire gas tank was filled with rust the very next day. It\u2019s only a matter of time before that rust works its way through the tank and to other components.<\/p>\n<p>While MythBusters proved that the gas tank will rust, this contaminated fuel has contacted a litany of other components if you\u2019ve run the engine. From fuel lines to cylinder heads, the corrosive mixture has touched it all.<\/p>\n<p>If it\u2019s already reached this point, you should replace the rusted components. Failure to do so will result in many problems ranging from <a href=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/bad-fuel-filter-symptoms-replacement-cost\/\">clogged fuel filters<\/a> to dangerous fuel leaks.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How-Much-Bleach-Would-It-Take-to-Ruin-an-Engine\"><\/span>How Much Bleach Would It Take to Ruin an Engine?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>There\u2019s no definitive answer to how much bleach would ruin an engine. While a few drops wouldn\u2019t do much, if someone added even a quart, you need to flush the system. Otherwise, you could end up with significant damages.<\/p>\n<p>So, the answer to how much bleach is too much is quite simple \u2013 any bleach is too much.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What-to-Do-if-You-Suspect-Someone-Poured-Bleach-in-Your-Gas-Tank\"><\/span>What to Do if You Suspect Someone Poured Bleach in Your Gas Tank<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-506231\" src=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/drop-gas-tank.jpg\" alt=\"drop gas tank\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/drop-gas-tank.jpg 720w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/drop-gas-tank-200x112.jpg 200w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/drop-gas-tank-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If you suspect somebody bleached your gas tank, you need to make sure that you don\u2019t turn on the engine. If the bleached fuel doesn\u2019t leave your gas tank, all you need to do is drop the tank, and completely drain all the fuel and bleach from the tank.<\/p>\n<p>To be safe, you should swap the fuel filter as well, but this shouldn\u2019t be a problem if no one started the engine.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s vital that you don\u2019t use water to flush the tank, as <a href=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/water-in-gas-tank\/\">water in your gas tank<\/a> can create its own problems that you\u2019ll need to address.<\/p>\n<p>However, before you haul off the vehicle to a repair shop, you should file a police report. Not only might this help to capture the perpetrator, but it\u2019s also is going to be useful for insurance purposes.<\/p>\n<p>Depending on your coverage, you might only be on the hook for the deductible \u2013 which can save you a ton of cash.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>While it\u2019s unlikely that you\u2019ve intentionally poured bleach into your own gas tank, it\u2019s not unheard of for people to try and get back at someone they don\u2019t like by mixing things into their gas tank. But what do you &#8230; <a title=\"Bleach in a Gas Tank? (Short and Long Term Effects)\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/bleach-in-a-gas-tank\/\" aria-label=\"More on Bleach in a Gas Tank? (Short and Long Term Effects)\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1009,"featured_media":506230,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"no"},"categories":[58],"tags":[100395,100427],"modified_by":"Mark Stevens","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/506226"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1009"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=506226"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/506226\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/506230"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=506226"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=506226"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=506226"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}