OT -- The Florida "Maple Syrup Solution"

Investment Analysis Clubs Macro Economic Trends and Risks
1

{{ Florida Man Drains All The Oil Out Of A Nissan. Then He Replaces It With Maple Syrup From Dollar General: ‘I Think It Runs Better’ }}

https://www.motor1.com/news/799182/maple-syrup-engine-oil/

intercst

1 Like
2

It was corn syrup - not maple syrup!

1 Like
3

Sweet!

The Captain

3 Likes
4

The car no longer knocks; it politely asks for a stack of pancakes.

Pete

6 Likes
5

Probably almost as effective as adding sugar to the gas tank to sweeten your gas mileage.

2 Likes
6

What Does Sugar in a Gas Tank Do?

The popular belief is that putting sugar in a gas tank causes the sugar to dissolve in the gasoline, turning it into a thick, gooey mess that wreaks havoc on the engine. The theory is that the grains of sugar will plug the fuel injectors and even burn in the combustion chamber, leading to a charred, sticky candy-like glue that ruins it.

However, this is far from the truth. Gasoline and sugar do not mix or dissolve in the same way that sugar dissolves in water. Instead, sugar remains solid and settles at the bottom of the gas tank.

Sugar is far denser than gasoline. When sugar is introduced into a fuel tank, it does not dissolve but instead, it sinks to the bottom of the tank. This means that unless an enormous amount of sugar is added, it is unlikely to even reach the fuel lines or the engine itself. Here’s a quick breakdown of what happens:

  • Sugar settles at the bottom of the gas tank.
  • The fuel pump draws gasoline from the tank and sends it through the fuel filter.
  • The fuel filter, designed to trap impurities and debris, will capture any sugar particles that may get pulled up from the tank.
  • The engine itself only receives clean, filtered fuel.

In short, sugar in the fuel tank does not clog or destroy the engine because the fuel filter prevents it from reaching critical components. What does sugar in a gas tank do? While it doesn’t necessarily ruin the engine, it can lead to clogged fuel filters, which may need to be replaced to maintain proper fuel flow.

7

Many tanks have a layer of water on the bottom. That is usually from condensationn of humid air from temp variations.

You expect sugar to dissolve in that water and get dispersed for delivery into the engine.

8

The water is at the bottom only when it is not sloshing around. While driving it is shaking like a cocktail. Quite a bit must get into the engine. Diesel engines have water filters. I have not seen water filters in gas cars.

The Captain

o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o

PS, GoogleAI:

Gasoline cars generally don’t have clear “water filters” like diesels because of how the fuels interact with water. While diesel and water separate entirely, gasoline (petrol) contains ethanol, which is hygroscopic and binds with small amounts of water at a molecular level. This allows the fuel to safely pass tiny amounts of moisture through the engine without causing combustion issues. [1, 2, 3]

While there is no dedicated water separator, gasoline vehicles do have fuel filters that catch dirt and larger water droplets before they reach the engine. [1, 2, 3]

Here is how gasoline systems handle the “shaking cocktail” effect:

  • Fuel Pickups: The fuel pump sits at the very bottom of the gas tank to draw fuel. Because water is denser than gasoline, it sinks to the bottom. [1, 2]
  • The Danger Zone: When the fuel level is very low and sloshing around, the pump can occasionally draw in a gulp of pure water instead of gasoline, which causes engine misfires or stalling. [1, 2]
  • Ethanol Phase Separation: If too much water accumulates in the tank (roughly 1/2% or about two teaspoons per gallon), the ethanol and water will separate from the gasoline, fall to the bottom, and can starve the engine of combustible fuel.