Bleach in Gas Tank: What Should You Do?
Lisa Steuer McArdle
· 4 min read
Your car's engine should only run on the fuel that is recommended by the manufacturer. If other substances are introduced into the tank, they are likely to cause
damage
to the engine.What would happen if you added bleach to your SUV? How much bleach does it take to cause irreparable damage to your sedan? Have you ever been a victim of someone bleaching your gas tank?
Can you repair your vehicle? Let's explore the steps to take if you encounter an issue with bleach in a gas tank.
What will happen to the engine with bleach in the gas tank?
Immediately after bleach is introduced to the engine, you may notice a loss of power or the engine struggling when trying to run. If a lot of bleach has been added to the tank, the vehicle may actually fail to start. Concentrated bleach has more devastating effects than diluted bleach of the same quantity.
According to
CarTreatments
, you may notice a change in the car's performance, but this does not mean that the car is OK. Within a short period, you will notice extensive rust inside the gas tank and all other components that came into contact with the bleach. The corroded debris would eventually move around the engine with fuel, clogging fuel filters, and causing fuel leaks.Bleaches are usually made of two components: water and chlorine. Since chlorine is denser than water, it would stay at the bottom of the tank. However, the chlorine gas in the bleach would react with the fuel, causing corrosion in all the parts that come into contact with the liberated gas.
The fuel that has just reacted with the bleach will become inert and cause performance issues in your vehicle. These effects will be pronounced if lots of bleach is added to the gas tank.
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If you suspect there is bleach in gas tank
MORE: All About Comprehensive Coverage Car Insurance
If you suspect that the gasoline in your tank has been adulterated with bleach, do not turn on the engine. This will prevent the fuel from moving from the tank to other parts of the engine, thereby reducing the extent of the damage to the engine.
You should also drain all the fuel and have a competent auto technician clean your gas tank. However, if you have already started the vehicle, you may need to have the entire engine flushed with new fuel. You should also replace the fuel filters and plugs.
If you take remedial actions soon after you realize that damage has been done, you are likely to just experience minimal damage.
Bleach in gas tank consequences
You can sue someone for malicious damage if you believe they poured bleach into your car's fuel tank. According to
Abdo Law
, the person can be charged with a felony or misdemeanor, depending on the extent of the damage. They are also financially held responsible for any losses.A court can order restitution to the car owner. It includes the cost of repairs or getting a new automobile and out-of-pocket expenses. The victim may also file a different claim for damages for the period that the car has not been operational.
You should also contact your insurance provider with details of the malicious damage. Comprehensive coverage caters for all damage, including that of malicious intent. If you wish to sue the person who vandalized your car, have an auto technician estimate the cost of repairs and replacements.
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