Today: A Man, a Plan, a Can of Sardines

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Tom & Ray

Aug 21, 2014 (Archives)

6 Comments

Dear Tom and Ray:

If a tin of sardines is attached to the exhaust manifold of a 1993 Ford F-150 with a pair of large radiator clamps, will the heat cause the salt water in the can to boil and the tin to explode? If so, how many miles of highway driving would be necessary? Would the resulting explosion be loud enough to be heard in the cab? Would the explosion cause any damage to the engine or engine compartment? Can the smell of hot sardines ever be washed away? Neither Siri nor Google seems to know the answers to these questions, but I thought a pair of MIT-trained auto mechanics might. Just curious.

-- K.J.

TOM: I smell a prank in the works, K.J. "Smell" being the operative word.

RAY: The answers to your questions are yes, five, yes, no and no.

TOM: I don't know that the tin would explode, but the exhaust manifold would heat the water enough to probably burst a seam in the can.

RAY: And since the exhaust manifold gets up to about 600 degrees F, it wouldn't take very long. You even could heat up the sardines that come packed in extra-virgin olive oil if you wanted to get fancy.

TOM: No mechanical damage would be caused. We've never done a "sardine job" on a car, that I'm aware of. But it would spray that smell all over the engine. And for a long time thereafter, every time the engine heated up and the ventilation system was in use, sardine odor would waft into the passenger compartment.

RAY: It might not last forever -- maybe just 15 or 20 years.

TOM: This is a dastardly thing to do, K.J. It's really long-lasting and unpleasant. I think I'm going to try it on my brother's car.

RAY: Well, I'd think carefully about the revenge you're going to invite before moving forward with Operation Sardine Can, K.J. But if we get a letter in a few weeks asking how to get sardine odor out of an engine compartment, we'll know what you decided. 

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cwatkin • 2 days ago

I don't know if a sardine can would hold pressure like a soup can or a can of veggies, but I have seen these cylinder shaped cans placed in a fire until they burst. We are not talking about a seam leaking. We are talking about a small explosion of steaming hot food and whatever coals and embers get blasted from the fire. A can like this would definitely blow with enough force to damage the car or anyone around when it blew. No one would miss the sound of the blast either. You might do a test where you get a few cans and put them in a fire to see how they blow. If they go like a small bomb, you might reconsider this. Use the same brand you plan to use in the car as different brands may have a different can that is stronger or weaker. The stronger the can, the more pressure it will hold before letting go and the bigger the bang.

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Moparfool • a day ago

Neighbor had some idiots over to sit around a fire he had going in the backyard. Along about 11 PM there was a big thump against my house. In the morning I found a burst soda can alongside the house. It had been thrown in the fire by one of the aforementioned idiots and traveled like a rocket about 30-40 feet when the pressure blew the can open. At least it didn't hit a window, but came close. Tie that sardine can down really good, but before you do, take a look at pictures of steam locomotive boiler explosions.

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CMR • 14 hours ago

Coincidentally, I had a can of sardines for lunch today. It had a pull tab to open it. It's not a seam where it opens, but a groove that tears. That's a weak section that would probably be the first to pop.

It may not destroy anything but the can, but it would sure make a helluva mess. Just think, you could even aim it when clamping it down.

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bluewater • 2 days ago

Seriously? I often wonder how serious this site is when it comes to real problem solving. There are many out here that have real problems with vehicles that need to be solved and this gets precedence? Phew.

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hillman_minx bluewater • a day ago

Nothing wrong with a bit of fun now and then, at least for some of us.

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hyhybt bluewater • a day ago

The link was blocked by moderation, but check the archive for November 1, 1995.