Updated at: 13-03-2022 - By: micdot

A tampon is a feminine hygiene product used to absorb menstrual fluids during menstruation. By expanding, it may take in a lot of fluid, even though it’s a small object. Because of this, it can be frightening to contemplate what would happen if it enters our automobiles. How do I know this? What happens if you put a tampon in a gas tank? The amount of fuel that can be absorbed by a tampon in a petrol tank is astounding. However, this can lead to an increase in its size, which can lead to clogs in your fuel lines. Due to a shortage of fuel, your engine may fail and stall. As a result, it is imperative that you remove it as quickly as possible. There are several reasons why this is the case, but one of the most common is that when you put a tampon in your fuel, you’re doing the same thing. Because of their compact size, these feminine products can easily be inserted into the tank. However, they can grow and clog your gasoline lines once they’ve absorbed liquid. Discover all the ways tampons can harm a car’s fuel tank in this article. You’ll know exactly what to expect in the event that something goes wrong with your gas tank or vehicle, and you’ll be prepared to handle it. Let’s get started right away!

What happens if you put tampons in a gas tank?

If you put tampons in your petrol tank, you run the chance of your motor stalling due to a blockage. But in general, tampons are so small when they’ve dried. As a result, you may be able to add a few pieces to your tank without issue. However, if it comes into contact with your fuel, it can absorb a large amount of it and extend its dimensions. Because of its high absorbency, if you don’t remove it as quickly as possible, this item may cause clogging in your tank.

The motor may finally shut down or stall due to the blockage. The tampon will fall out of the pump when the motor ceases. After that, it will restart, but not without causing stalling again. Having a tampon in a gas tank is generally safe, but it’s still a good idea to remove it from the tank because it can cause issues.

Short term effects

Because it contains nothing dangerous, a tampon that gets into a gas tank will not harm the engine. Nevertheless, if you don’t remove it, you may have a number of problems as a result of fuel line clogging. The tampon, as previously discussed, is a very absorbent item that can take in a lot of fuel. However, it has the ability to grow in size from a small speck to a massive sheet of cloth.

Despite the fact that it won’t harm your engine, the blockage it can cause can lead to issues like engine stalling. As a result, it is imperative that you remove the tampon immediately.

Long term effects

To have a long-term effect, you must not remove your tampons. However, tampons can clog the fuel lines, causing your engine to stall. When your car frequently stalls, it’s best to get it mended as soon as possible, or else it will become a nuisance.

Can a tampon in a gas tank damage an engine?

Because tampons don’t contain any harmful components, they won’t cause any substantial damage to your engine. Mechanical failure is the most common outcome. There is no need to worry about tampons contaminating fuel because they are cloth-like objects.

However, as previously said, they can lead to blockage. It’s not a big deal if the engine stalls, but it can be frustrating. Having a newer car doesn’t even mean it’s likely to clog. The bottom of your gas tank is filled with a huge pre-filter screen. Because these pre-filter screens have a large surface area, even two petrol-soaked tampons will not halt the flow of fuel. Even though it won’t harm the engine, you still need to remove it. So, in general, even if it’s not an emergency, you should remove these tampons. Schedule a time when you’d like to empty the tank and have it hauled away. Once you remove the sender unit and the gasoline pump, you’ll be able to access everything in the tank.

How many tampons in a gas tank will ruin it?

There is no need to worry about your engine being damaged by putting a few tampon pieces in it. Tampons, as previously stated, do not disintegrate in gasoline. If you have tampons in the tank, you won’t pollute the petrol. Even though a tampon will not harm an engine, it must be removed from the tank. Due to the clogging potential of the above-mentioned products. Even while it’s not a huge deal, if the engine starts to break down as a result, it’s a pain. To summarize, you must remove the tampon from your system by removing the tank as a whole and flushing it.

Can you tell if someone put a tampon in your gas tank?

Unless it creates problems like stalling or disabling, it’s difficult to determine if someone has put a tampon in your gas tank. The only problem a tampon can cause, as previously stated, is fuel line blocking. It’s a possibility with older models, but it’s highly unlikely in newer ones. Clogging can cause your engine to run out of fuel, resulting in a stall or complete shutdown of your vehicle. You should always inspect your gas tank for leaks as soon as your car’s engine stalls.

You may want to remove a tampon from your engine once you know it’s blocking it up. However, if you don’t mind scheduling a gas tank cleaning, you can do so.

How to get the tampon out of a gas tank?

To flush out a fuel additive that doesn’t work with a tampon, you’ll need to remove the tank. If a tampon ever gets stuck in your gas tank, you’ll have to remove the entire tank from the vehicle in order to get it out. To some, this may appear to be an excessive amount of work for no apparent benefit. You’ll have to plan it, though. It would float in your gas tank otherwise and cause problems. It is possible to schedule the tank to be emptied and replaced at a specific time. Taking anything from the tank after you remove the sender unit and the gasoline pump is completely legal.

Summary

To summarize, never use a tampon in a gas tank. Tampons can absorb significant fuel when they come into contact with gas tanks. Additionally, it can expand in size. Fuel lines can become clogged as a result. If you don’t have enough gas in your tank, your engine may starve and stall. Remove it as soon as feasible as a result. When it comes to gas tank concerns, it’s hard to say for sure whether or not a tampon is a bad idea. Regardless of the consequences, urgency is not a concern. Even so, you’ll have to plan a gas tank clean-up in order to properly dispose of this waste. You don’t want a tampon floating around in your gas tank in the end.