Mythbusters
05-04-2005, 08:30 PM
#1
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Mythbusters
Did anybody see Mythbusters this week? Among other things, it was having a look at some car myths (many of the propergated by hollywood).
It should be noted that these were tested with an old caddilac somebody donated just so it could get blown up.
Myth #1 - Putting a potato/banana/egg into the exahust pipe will make the engine stall.
Result - Myth busted - every item put in there was just shot out.
Myth #2 - Putting bleach into the petrol tank will blow up your engine.
Result - Myth busted - the engine ran fine. The next day however they found lots of corrosion in the bottom of the tank. Bleach is a good oxidising agent apparently.
Myth #3 - Putting sugar in the petrol tank will stuff your engine.
Result - Myth busted - engine ran fine.
Myth #4 - Putting mothballs in the petrol will increase the octane rating.
Result - plausible - They noticed during testing of the engine that the engine note changed and seemed to run better. Although not scientifically tested in regards to octane rating, it may be plausible. Further study would be required.
Myth #5 - Putting cola in the radiator will allow yoru car to run if you are out of water.
Result - plausible - worked fine during testing. They didn't recommend doing this for too long though, but it may be enough to get you to some help.
Myth #6 - An egg will fix a puncture radiator.
Result - plausible - a hole was punched into the radiator and a steady stream was flowing from it. They poured th contents of a cracked egg into the radiator. Within a short time the hole was sealed.
Myth #7 - Bleach in the engine oil will blow up your engine.
Result - plausible - whilst the engine didn't exactly explode, it did get red hot and seize up.
It should be noted that these were tested with an old caddilac somebody donated just so it could get blown up.
Myth #1 - Putting a potato/banana/egg into the exahust pipe will make the engine stall.
Result - Myth busted - every item put in there was just shot out.
Myth #2 - Putting bleach into the petrol tank will blow up your engine.
Result - Myth busted - the engine ran fine. The next day however they found lots of corrosion in the bottom of the tank. Bleach is a good oxidising agent apparently.
Myth #3 - Putting sugar in the petrol tank will stuff your engine.
Result - Myth busted - engine ran fine.
Myth #4 - Putting mothballs in the petrol will increase the octane rating.
Result - plausible - They noticed during testing of the engine that the engine note changed and seemed to run better. Although not scientifically tested in regards to octane rating, it may be plausible. Further study would be required.
Myth #5 - Putting cola in the radiator will allow yoru car to run if you are out of water.
Result - plausible - worked fine during testing. They didn't recommend doing this for too long though, but it may be enough to get you to some help.
Myth #6 - An egg will fix a puncture radiator.
Result - plausible - a hole was punched into the radiator and a steady stream was flowing from it. They poured th contents of a cracked egg into the radiator. Within a short time the hole was sealed.
Myth #7 - Bleach in the engine oil will blow up your engine.
Result - plausible - whilst the engine didn't exactly explode, it did get red hot and seize up.
05-04-2005, 08:47 PM
#2
Re myth #1:
Back in the mid 60's when I was in high school one of the teachers had a 50cc motor scooter.
One of the boys placed a potato in the exhaust and the scooter would not run.
So there may be some truth in this myth if your vehicle is lower powered than an old Cadillac.
What about adding Myth #8:
If your car is involved in a rollover the petrol tank will always burst into flames.
Back in the mid 60's when I was in high school one of the teachers had a 50cc motor scooter.
One of the boys placed a potato in the exhaust and the scooter would not run.
So there may be some truth in this myth if your vehicle is lower powered than an old Cadillac.
What about adding Myth #8:
If your car is involved in a rollover the petrol tank will always burst into flames.
05-04-2005, 09:52 PM
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They did do some other tests:
Myth #8 - if the petrol tank is pierced by a bullt it will burst into flames.
Result - Myth Busted ! A nice cluster of rounds were shot into the tank and passed out the other side of the tank. The car did not explode.
Myth #9 - hiding behind the door in a gunfight will keep you safe.
Result - Myth Busted! - bullets not only passed through the nearest door, but also straight through the car and out the other side.
Myth #8 - if the petrol tank is pierced by a bullt it will burst into flames.
Result - Myth Busted ! A nice cluster of rounds were shot into the tank and passed out the other side of the tank. The car did not explode.
Myth #9 - hiding behind the door in a gunfight will keep you safe.
Result - Myth Busted! - bullets not only passed through the nearest door, but also straight through the car and out the other side.
05-04-2005, 10:54 PM
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They've done some awesome tests! I liked about the airplane and a crack in teh windscreen. Considering how much I fly (at least 50 times a year) I was pretty damn impressed how safe the plane was! 
I liked the hiding behind car door test... that was cool!
I liked the hiding behind car door test... that was cool!
05-05-2005, 01:30 AM
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Oh I forgot one more
Myth #10 - Penny in the carburetor.
Result - Busted - at first the penny didn't fall down far enough. After they forced it down some more, it sure made a big rattle, but the engine kept on going.
Myth #10 - Penny in the carburetor.
Result - Busted - at first the penny didn't fall down far enough. After they forced it down some more, it sure made a big rattle, but the engine kept on going.
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