# Could a ping pong ball in the gas tank cause the car to stall?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-ping-pong-ball-in-the-gas-tank-cause-the-car-to-stall/952214>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 9, 2021, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-ping-pong-ball-in-the-gas-tank-cause-the-car-to-stall/952214 "2021-10-09T17:59:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2021, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-ping-pong-ball-in-the-gas-tank-cause-the-car-to-stall/952214/21 "2021-10-11T16:34:22Z")

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> [@DesertDog](#):
>
> Even more insidious is a red sponge rubber ball with a length of 1/4-in copper tubing rammed through it. The hole in the tubing will let the car start and idle, but much more than that will increase the back pressure so it stalls.

I am sorely in need of a time machine.

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**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2021, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-ping-pong-ball-in-the-gas-tank-cause-the-car-to-stall/952214/22 "2021-10-11T23:11:57Z")

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These types of dangerous or sabotaging effects are sometimes _intentionally_ portrayed incorrectly on T.V. For instance, with medical storylines, the idea is to be as accurate as possible when showing how to save a life or help in an emergency, but to be inaccurate when demonstrating (non-obvious) ways to harm or kill someone. Probably better to show an ineffective or impossible trick than to have a million kids stalling people’s cars for social media views.

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**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2021, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-ping-pong-ball-in-the-gas-tank-cause-the-car-to-stall/952214/23 "2021-10-12T13:52:40Z")

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> **[Fuel Tank Replacement Cost - RepairPal Estimate](https://repairpal.com/estimator/fuel-tank-replacement-cost)**
>
> Fuel Tank Replacement costs between $1,329 and $1,478 on average. Get a free detailed estimate for a repair in your area.

The diagram on this page seems to back up the assertion the in-tank fuel feed is a lot more complex than a simple drain hole at the bottom of the tank.

Consumption of 32mpg would suggest that tot travel 1 mile you use 4 fl oz or half a cup. Even at highway speeds, sucking 1/2 cup of fluid every minute is not enough to pull down a floating ping-pong ball, even in gasoline 7/10 the density of water.

yes sorry, sand in the oil sump - or better yet, open the filler point on the valve cover if there is one, put it in there…

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