You've probably heard the old urban legend about putting sugar in someone's gas tank. It’s often used as a way to get revenge on someone (we’re not condoning it), akin to the stereotypical slashing of tires, keying a car, or smashing windows. But one mechanic seems to think it only happens in movies and TV shows. He was shocked to come face-to-face with it in real life. A Sticky Mechanical Situation In a Facebook video with more than 2.4 million views, mechanic Adrien Smith (@adrien.smith.948) films what he discovered after a car was towed to the dealership because it wouldn't start. "So I've heard of putting sugar in the gas tank but never seen this," reads the text overlay as the camera pans across the engine bay. And it wasn't in the gas tank. The video shows what appears to be a brown-hued sugar—the kind commenters were quick to identify as Sugar In The Raw, a pricier, unrefined variety—inside the oil pan and at least one other component under the hood. Neither was filled to the brim, but there was enough to cause problems, and loose sugar appeared to have been spilled across other parts of the engine bay as well. "That's sugary,” Smith says in the video. "For everyone asking, I didn't do anything. This was towed to the dealer like this," he adds in a comment. Plenty of commenters had theories about how the sugar got there or who might be to blame. The Sugar In The Gas Tank Myth The idea has been floating around for decades that if you put sugar in someone's gas tank, you'll destroy their engine. The theory goes that the sugar dissolves into the gasoline, turns into a thick, sticky syrup, and clogs up the whole system. Sounds believable. It's also mostly wrong. According to AutoZone, sugar and gasoline simply don't mix the way sugar and water do. Sugar is denser than gas, so instead of dissolving, it sinks straight to the bottom of the tank. Unless someone dumps in an enormous amount, it may never even reach the fuel lines. And if sugar particles do get pulled up toward the engine, the fuel filter (which is literally designed to catch debris) will stop them before they reach critical components. That said, it's not a zero-consequence situation. Too much sugar can clog the fuel filter over time and strain the fuel pump, both of which would need to be replaced. Symptoms to watch for include trouble starting, stalling, and sluggish acceleration. The fix typically means replacing the fuel filter, possibly cleaning or draining the tank entirely, and running a fuel pressure test to check the pump. It can be expensive and annoying, but not the engine-obliterating revenge move it's made out to be in the movies. It’s not clear what, if any, real damage the sugar in this particular situation caused. What Do Foreign Substances Actually Do To A Car? Sugar is relatively tame compared to other substances someone could put in a gas tank. According to KnackSack, bleach is genuinely corrosive and can cause serious damage to the fuel system and engine. Vinegar introduces both water and acetic acid, which erode fuel lines and internal metal components over time. Even sand or dirt, while inert, can clog the fuel system and damage the fuel pump if particles make it past the filter. Could The Culprit Be Charged With A Crime? If someone did intentionally dump sugar into Smith's car, they wouldn't just be on the hook for the repair bill. According to LawInfo, intentionally damaging or destroying someone else's property without consent is vandalism. The severity of the charges depends on a few factors: the cost of repairing the damage, the extent of what was done, whether anyone was put in danger, and the defendant's prior record. In most cases, vandalism is a misdemeanor that can carry up to a year in jail and fines. But if the damage is serious enough, it can be bumped up to a felony, meaning more than a year in prison and steeper financial penalties. In addition to any criminal sentence, the person responsible could be ordered to pay restitution to cover the cost of repairs. And if the act was motivated by racial, religious, or other bias, prosecutors could tack on hate crime charges with enhanced penalties. People Have Questions About The Motive The stunning sight of sugar throughout an engine called to mind one burning question: Why would someone do this? “Really pissed someone off (real bad) for them to use THAT MUCH Sugar in the Raw. That shi is expensive,” one person wrote. “Who did they piss off and what's the tea,” a second wondered. “Anytime I’ve ever broke up with anybody I check my [expletive] everyday for like a month after and I try and park it not near my place but sometimes they still find it,” another wrote. Motor1 reached out to Smith for comment via Facebook direct message and comment. This article will be updated if he replies. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team