Episode: Scuba Diver/Car Capers

Original Air Date: July 27, 2004

Myths: Forest Fire SCUBA Diver; Car Capers: Tailpipe Terror, Unauthorized Additives, Shooting Cars, Roadside Rescue, Penny in the Carburator, Bleach in the Oil

Myth: Forest Fire SCUBA Diver

A SCUBA diver was found in a tree in the middle of a forest fire 50 miles from the sea. It was thought that he was scooped up by a firefighting aircraft and dropped in the forest.

The Experts:

Heather Joseph-Witham, folklorist, helps explain the myth. The myth has been around since at least 1987 and surfaced as an attachment from a newspaper called the "California Examiner," a newspaper that does not exist. The myth also appears in British Colombia, Canada, and Australia. People like dumb-way-to-die stories, especially in some sort of accident, and this sounds like a plausible accident.

Officers Oderson and Hopkins, Oakland Airport, show Adam and Jamie their helicopter and Bambi bucket. They state that helicopters are equipped with a mirror and the pilot would notice someone struggling in the bucket.

Jay Meiskinkel, Sea-Power Marine, Outboard motor expert. He helps with the implementation of this myth.

Sal Zammitti, Bamboo Reef, outfits Adam for the pool. He also states that he has heard the myth many times and does not believe it.

Action/Results: First Adam and Jamie research this to determine if the scenario is even possible. Fixed-wing aircraft skim the water with a scoop to fill a tank. The largest of these aircraft is the Martin Mars and the intake is only 6 inches in diameter, too small for a diver. Small helicopters use a bucket called a "Bambi bucket." Adam and Jamie determine that these buckets also are too small for a diver. The last option is the Erikson Sky Crane, a helicopter that has a 2,000-gallon tank and a pump. Jamie thinks that this is the only option and it is possible for a diver to get stuck to the intake of the pump. Adam isnít so sure, but concedes that it is conceivable.

The Mythbusters buy a 125-horse power outboard motor and a funnel. The motor and propeller are modified to so that the drive shaft and propeller can fit into a 10-inch tube. The chicken gun is sacrificed as the 10-inch pipe despite Adamís protests. The pipe is then angled away from the motor at the top. The funnel is fit with a screen and will be put at the end of the pump intake to simulate the guard used on the real version.

The crew heads to the test pool. Buster is fitted into a wet suit and a SCUBA tank. But first the pump is tested. The pump needs to pump 2,000 gallons in 45 seconds to simulate the actual pumps used for these firefighting helicopters. Their pump pumps 1,000 gallons in 18 seconds.

Buster is placed in front of the intake as the pump runs at full throttle, but wonít stick to the intake. The decision is made to make a worst-case scenario. Busterís tank is removed, and the guard is removed from the intake of the pump. Buster again is placed in front of the intake, this time he is stuck to the intake. The pump is lifted, and as soon as Buster reaches the surface, the pump releases him. It seems the pump needs to be primed for Buster to stick, as soon as the intake breaks the surface, the prime breaks and Buster is released.

Myth Busted.

Best Moment:

Jamie: 25% chance pump wonít work, 50% chance something bad happens, and the remaining 50% that the pump will work as planned

Myth: Car Capers

The Mythbusters set out to test popular and Hollywood car myths.

Friend of the Show:

Ben Rillie

Ben was kind enough to donate a Cadillac to Adam and Jamie to test the myths.

Car Caper 1: Tailpipe Terror

Does placing produce in a tailpipe really prevent a car from starting?

Not if the produce is potatoes or bananas. Even when the produce is placed far up the tailpipe, the pressure from the engine just shoots the produce out the back and the car runs fine.

Myth Busted.

Car Caper 2: Unauthorized Additives

What happens when certain household products are added to gasoline? These myths used an engine and gasoline tank only. The tank was drained and cleaned between additives.

Does liquid drain cleaner cause the gas to explode? Liquid drain cleaner was added to the gas tank. The engine was started and nothing happened. The engine was then revved and again nothing happened.

Myth Busted.

Does bleach ruin an engine? The car stalled when bleach was placed into the gas tank. Additionally, the gas sat overnight prior to cleaning and the tank rusted up. Jamie says the rust would be sucked through the fuel system as a result of the corrosion.

Myth Plausible.

Does placing sugar in the gas tank ruin the engine? After sugar was added to the tank, nothing happened, even after Adam shook the tank. They leave the sugar in the tank overnight for maximum effect. The next morning the car starts.

Myth Busted.

Do adding mothballs to gasoline increase horsepower? Jamie mixed up a batch of mothball gasoline and poured it into the gas tank. The engine actually sounded better, although Adam and Jamie do not recommend trying it as there may be unknown side effects.

Myth Plausible.

Car Capers 3: Shooting Cars

If a car is shot through the gas tank, will it explode? Adam, Jamie and a fire crew go to a firing range to find out. Jamie shoots the carís gas tank with fuel in it. The bullets not only hit the tank, but go through the tank. The car does not explode, disappointing the fire crew and the Mythbusters.

Myth Busted.

If you hide behind a car door in a shoot out are you safe? Not if the Mythbusters are shooting at you. Adam, Jamie and one other person put 50 bullets through the car door, leading Adam to the belief that hiding behind the door is not a safe place to be. Adam also states that you will be safest not to get into gunfights and Jamie agrees.

Myth Busted.

Car Capers 4: Roadside Rescues

If your radiator is bone dry, can cola be used as a substitute for coolant? Adam and Jamie drain the radiator and fill it with cola. The car runs with cola in the radiator. The Mythbusters do not recommend this, though, as it may cause damage.

Myth Plausible.

If there is a leak in the radiator, can an egg be used to plug the hole? Jamie punctures the radiator and Adam drops a raw egg into the radiator. The engine is started and the leak stops.

Myth Plausible.

Car Capers 5: Penny in Carburetor

Will a piece of metal as small as a penny ruin an engine if it falls into the carburetor?  A penny is placed into the carburetor while the engine is running and nothing happens. The engine is stopped and Adam and Jamie take a look. It seems that the penny did not go into the engine, so it is placed deeper into the carburetor. The engine is started. The penny can be heard rattling, but the engine still runs.

Myth Busted.

Car Caper 6: Bleach in Oil

Will putting bleach in the motor ruin the engine? After placing bleach in with the motor oil, the engine smokes and overheats much to the twisted joy of the Mythbusters.

Myth Confirmed.