what do moth balls do in a gas tank

Don't do it. Moth balls are made of naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. In a gas tank they'll dissolve partially but leave a gummy residue that can clog your fuel filter and injectors. I've seen it wreck a buddy's lawnmower engine. Just toss them.

Old timers used to swear by moth balls to 'clean' fuel systems. Back in the day with carburetors and leaded gas maybe it did something. Modern engines have tight tolerances and sensitive fuel components. Not worth the risk. Stick to proper fuel additives.

I actually tried this on a beater ATV years ago out of curiosity. Nothing exploded but after a week the engine started running rough. Had to drain the tank and replace the fuel lines. The rubber seals were swollen. Definitely not a good idea.

Chemically, naphthalene has a high octane rating but it's not a fuel. It can cause pre-ignition and leave deposits. Plus it's toxic to handle. Just use a fuel stabilizer if you're storing your quad. Moth balls are for your closet, not your gas tank.

I'm a mechanic and I've seen two cases where moth balls were used. Both resulted in clogged fuel pumps and injectors. The residue is like varnish but worse. The cost of repairs far exceeds any perceived benefit. Don't experiment with your ride.

Wait, are we talking about the old white moth balls or the newer ones? The white ones are naphthalene, the camphor type might be different. Either way, both are solvents that don't burn cleanly. Not designed for combustion engines. Leave them out.

I've heard this myth too. People think it'll boost octane or clean carbon. But modern fuel already contains detergents. Adding moth balls is like throwing random chemicals into a precision system. You're asking for trouble. Stick to what the manual says.

Partial disagreement with the above. In very old engines with simple carburetors, a small piece might dissolve and burn without immediate damage. But why risk it? Even if it works once, the long-term residue buildup will bite you. Not worth the gamble.

My grandpa used to put moth balls in his tractor gas tank during winter storage. He claimed it kept moisture and bugs out. But that tractor was from the 1950s. I wouldn't try it on any modern ATV with EFI. Too many sensors and tight clearances.

I'm a beginner and this thread scared me straight. I was actually considering trying it after reading some forum post. Glad I checked here. I'll just buy a proper fuel additive and store my quad correctly. Thanks for saving me a headache.

If you're worried about critters in your gas tank, use a fuel cap with a lock or a mesh screen. Moth balls aren't a solution. They can also react with plastic fuel tanks and cause cracking. Seen that happen on a dirt bike. Not pretty.

The real issue is that moth balls are not designed to be fuel additives. They sublimate into gas and can cause vapor lock or uneven burning. I'd rather use a few ounces of acetone if I wanted a cheap cleaner. But even that's debated.

I've worked on ATVs for 20 years. Never once saw a case where moth balls helped. Saw plenty where they caused injector failure. The repair cost was over $500. Just throw them away and use a quality fuel system cleaner if you think you need it.

Some people confuse moth balls with moth flakes which are different. But neither belongs in a gas tank. The best thing you can do for your ATV is to run fresh fuel and change the filter regularly. No shortcuts.

I agree with the mechanic above. The residue from moth balls is a nightmare to clean. It sticks to fuel pump internals and can cause intermittent stalling. If you've already put some in, drain the tank asap and flush the system with new fuel.

I'm curious about the chemistry. Naphthalene is a hydrocarbon but it's a solid at room temp. In gasoline it dissolves but then recrystallizes as the fuel evaporates. That's what clogs things. So no, don't do it. Science says no.

For storage, use a fuel stabilizer and fill the tank to minimize air. Moth balls won't prevent moisture any better than that. In fact, they can attract moisture if they react with air. Keep it simple and follow the owner's manual.

My buddy tried this on his quad and within two rides the engine started misfiring. The mechanic found white powder in the fuel rail. It was moth ball residue. Cost him a new injector. So yeah, learn from his mistake. Not worth it.

I'll add that moth balls are also a fire hazard if they accumulate in a hot engine bay. They can ignite from a spark. So you're not just risking engine damage but also a potential fire. Better safe than sorry. Use proper products.

I think the best reply here is to just say no. There's no proven benefit and plenty of risk. If you want to clean your fuel system, buy a reputable injector cleaner. If you want to store your ATV, use a stabilizer. Moth balls are for moths, period.