What to mix with petrol to guarantee engine death?
Discussion
An acquaintance of mine is being plagued by a spate of thefts of outboard fuel tanks from his boatyard. Presumably the perpetrators are running their cars on the stolen fuel.
He is planning a 'sting' by leaving a boat on a trailer with a tank with some 'doctored' fuel in it. He asked me if I knew what to add to petrol, that would be relatively undetectable, but would guarantee an early demise to the scrote's car.
My initial reply was - sugar, but on reflection (and some quiet googling) I am now not sure. The chap has access to the normal range of industrial products such as solvents and paints to be found in boatyards, and is not looking to do any personal harm - just a swift kick to the wallet as a result of a costly breakdown!
Any bright ideas?
He is planning a 'sting' by leaving a boat on a trailer with a tank with some 'doctored' fuel in it. He asked me if I knew what to add to petrol, that would be relatively undetectable, but would guarantee an early demise to the scrote's car.
My initial reply was - sugar, but on reflection (and some quiet googling) I am now not sure. The chap has access to the normal range of industrial products such as solvents and paints to be found in boatyards, and is not looking to do any personal harm - just a swift kick to the wallet as a result of a costly breakdown!
Any bright ideas?
Sugar definately works from personal experience.
Watched a mate pour a bag (could have been a couple of bags, my mind is hazy) of sugar into a teachers fuel tank at school who had told him off in class.
According to the "come on - own up" speech in assembly, the car got halfway home and conked out.
It wasn't permanent, tank drain and filter change, no damage to the engine, but it definately worked and would make them think twice.
Watched a mate pour a bag (could have been a couple of bags, my mind is hazy) of sugar into a teachers fuel tank at school who had told him off in class.
According to the "come on - own up" speech in assembly, the car got halfway home and conked out.
It wasn't permanent, tank drain and filter change, no damage to the engine, but it definately worked and would make them think twice.
Are they stealing the tanks or syphoning the fuel out ?
If syphoning the fuel....you could try methanol. Only for the reason it is poisonous and if they get a little in their mouths...they could die lol
But mixing a large percentage of diesel will also have a bad effect. The diesel tends not to burn, and get washed down into the sump.
This will overfill the sump, as well as massively dilute the oil. Meaning the oil wont be doing its job of lubricating the engine.
Not sure what percentage you would need though.
I'd imagine 30-40% should be a good try ? and the petrol should still run the engine ok.
If syphoning the fuel....you could try methanol. Only for the reason it is poisonous and if they get a little in their mouths...they could die lol
But mixing a large percentage of diesel will also have a bad effect. The diesel tends not to burn, and get washed down into the sump.
This will overfill the sump, as well as massively dilute the oil. Meaning the oil wont be doing its job of lubricating the engine.
Not sure what percentage you would need though.
I'd imagine 30-40% should be a good try ? and the petrol should still run the engine ok.
Defcon5 said:
Will sugar get past the fuel filter?
nope, that's what it does, just clogs the filters, it doesn't actually destroy the engine.I wonder if there is some solvent that will affect/damage the rubbers/plastics. The fueling components are pretty resilient, but i wonder how far they go.
DOT 5 (silicon) brake fluid. It will attack seals (which is why so many people buggered up their old car's brake systems. It will also smoke beautifully and lose power. Acetone could be interesting too!
ETA
Iron filings, volcanic dust, water.
Or see if you can get some very low octane (less than 90) petrol, or some specialists still sell leaded petrol, that'll kill their Cats!!
ETA
Iron filings, volcanic dust, water.
Or see if you can get some very low octane (less than 90) petrol, or some specialists still sell leaded petrol, that'll kill their Cats!!
Edited by Poledriver on Wednesday 26th May 21:59
Methanol will actually eat rubber etc... And despite it being a higher octane etc.
Given its an alcohol based fuel, it would generally require twice as much for any given power output. So using it straight would cause very lean running and possible damage.
hell....even straight E85 might too !!
Given its an alcohol based fuel, it would generally require twice as much for any given power output. So using it straight would cause very lean running and possible damage.
hell....even straight E85 might too !!
stevieturbo said:
Methanol will actually eat rubber etc... And despite it being a higher octane etc.
Given its an alcohol based fuel, it would generally require twice as much for any given power output. So using it straight would cause very lean running and possible damage.
hell....even straight E85 might too !!
Probably another demonstration that all my Meth knowledge came from a bloke down the pub, but I was told that meth into petrol turned into a nasty jelly residue knackering everythingGiven its an alcohol based fuel, it would generally require twice as much for any given power output. So using it straight would cause very lean running and possible damage.
hell....even straight E85 might too !!
BTW, Graham, I've lost (if I ever had) your new IOW address, numbers etc. Been meaning to get in touch for some time now !!
Come and see us next time you're on the North island www.classiccarworkshop.co.uk
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