Car Capers

These are the myths where the Mythbusters test the 11 ways to destroy a car.

Potato in the Tailpipe

 * Myth – Putting a potato or any object in the exhaust pipe will cause the engine to blow.
 * Verdict – BUSTED
 * Notes – Placing an object in the tailpipe is dangerous and it will shoot out like a missile if the car is started.

Shooting the Gas Tank

 * Myth – Shooting the gas tank will blow up the car.
 * Verdict – BUSTED later Confirmed.
 * Notes – The Mythbusters tried every gun in their arsenal but gave up when they could not get their hands on tracer rounds. A year later they got their tracers rounds from the ATF and shot them on a military gun range and the myth was deemed Confirmed in the episode Mythbusters Revisited.

Door Shield

 * Myth – Using a door in a firefight will protect you from getting shot.
 * Verdict – BUSTED and Dangerous
 * Notes – Using a car door in a firefight is extremely dangerous; not only will you get killed but your passengers will be killed from ricocheting bullets.

Drano in the Gas Tank

 * Myth – Pouring Drano down the gas tank will destroy the engine.
 * Verdict – BUSTED
 * Notes – Pouring Drano into a gas tank is not a good idea; you will clog your carburetor.

Bleach in the Gas Tank

 * Myth – Pouring bleach in your gas tank will destroy the engine.
 * Verdict – Plausible
 * Notes – If you pour bleach in your gas tank it will kill the engine but not destroy it; all you will be left with is a rusty gas tank and a destroyed carburetor. Bleach is a degreaser and is used to clean car parts before they are sold.

Sugar in the Gas Tank

 * Myth – Pouring Sugar in the gas tank will destroy the engine.
 * Verdict – BUSTED
 * Notes – Sugar is a carbohydrate and will improve performance but it is still not a good idea.

Mothballs in the Gas Tank

 * Myth – Pouring Mothballs down the gas tank will improve fuel preference.
 * Verdict – Plausible
 * Notes – It will improve fuel performance but your muffler and catalytic converter will backfire and the engine will sputter.

Cola as Radiator Fluid

 * Myth – Using cola as radiator fluid will keep your engine running.


 * Verdict – Plausible
 * Notes – You can use cola as radiator fluid but it is not a good idea; you will destroy your radiator if you do that.

Using Eggs as a Radiator Patch

 * Myth – If your radiator is leaking, pouring eggs into it will patch the leak.
 * Verdict – Plausible
 * Using an egg will patch the leak but it is a short term solution until you reach a repair shop.

Metal in the Carburetor

 * Myth – A piece of metal in the carburetor will destroy the engine.
 * Verdict – BUSTED
 * Notes – Metal will not destroy the car. It will go through the whole system clanking its way to your tailpipe.

Bleach in the Oil

 * Myth– Bleach in the oil can destroy the engine.
 * Verdict – Confirmed
 * Notes – Bleach is a degreaser and will destroy your engine if it gets into the oil.