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.