How to Listen for a Transmission Problem in Your Car

Your car’s transmission will let you know that it is experiencing some level of failure. All you have to do is listen! Continue reading to learn what common transmission problems sound like, and what to do if you simply cannot afford to repair your transmission in Indianapolis.

Sell Junk Car Parts in Indianapolis 317-608-2188
Sell Junk Car Parts in Indianapolis 317-608-2188

Transmission Noises That Should Be Examined

Your car makes a lot of different noises. Most are harmless, a few might be temporary, but some are indicative of an automotive problem. From clunking and humming to high-pitched whining, some sounds are telling you there is a problem specifically with the transmission.

Here are some of the most common transmission sounds that should be examined further by a licensed mechanic, as they could be a sign that your car needs some automotive service or repair:

Gurgling

If you hear water-like noises, such as gurgling, sloshing, or trickling, it could be an indication that your transmission fluid is low. The cause of the gurgling noises is due to air pockets that form within the transmission lines as a result of a lack of fluid.

Clunking

Clunking is a common automotive noise that is indicative of a transmission problem. The most likely culprit behind clunking sounds is a problem with the torque converter mounts. You can test this by keeping your foot on the brake and placing your car in neutral, then revving the engine slightly as you put the gear back and drive. If you hear clunking noise, you can be sure the torque converter mounts are the issue.

Humming

As you accelerate in your vehicle, if you hear a humming noise as you reach higher speeds, it could be indicative of a transmission problem. Generally, the culprit lies within the transmission pump.

Grinding or Metal Scraping

Automotive noises that sound like grinding, metal scraping, or metal-on-metal contact are generally a telltale sign of a transmission problem stemming from the planetary gear system. The planetary gear system is responsible for ensuring that your transmission shifts smoothly. This issue is only evident in automatic transmission vehicles.

High-Pitched Whining

Hearing a constant whining or high-pitched whining noise when shifting gears is generally a sign of a clogged transmission filter. You can be sure this is the culprit if the whining noise gets worse when you shift into reverse. If coupled with grinding noises, it could be an issue within the planetary gear system.

Growling or Rumbling

If you hear sounds that are more like growling, rumbling, or low pitched whining, it could be an issue within the planning you can rest assure that there is an issue within the transmission. Typically, these noises are indicative of a problem within the planetary gear system. Again, the system ensures that your transmission shifts gears smoothly and easily.

All of these noises are considered emergency auto repairs that should be diagnosed and resolved by licensed mechanic as soon as possible. If you hear these noises in your car, your vehicle is not safe to drive unless you are driving it straight to the auto shop.

Is your transmission in trouble but you cannot afford auto repair? Perhaps the cost of transmission repair is higher than the total value of your vehicle? If so,contact GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to sell your total loss vehicle for cash on the spot to our trusted Indianapolis cash for cars company!

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GC’s Junk Cars 317-608-2188

Facts You Did Not Know About Catalytic Converters

As a person who owns and operates a car, there are some basic automotive facts you know, like the importance of routine oil changes and when to have your brake pads replaced. But many people, perhaps yourself included, are not familiar with the value of a vehicle’s catalytic converter. Not only is the catalytic converter the primary emissions control system for your vehicle, but it is also designed to reduce the harmful effects of a car’s overall emissions output.

For these reasons and more, catalytic converters are vital automotive part. Not quite convinced? Continue reading to learn 4 interesting facts about catalytic converters that you did not know before!

Indianapolis Junk Car Buyers 317-608-2188
Indianapolis Junk Car Buyers 317-608-2188

Facts About Catalytic Converters

Catalytic Converters are Designed to Reduce Air Pollution

Catalytic converters are specially designed to convert harmful and toxic pollutants produced by burning fuel into less harmful emissions. As a result, catalytic converters effectively reduce air pollution. In fact, local jurisdictions in various U.S. states require that all vehicles pass an emissions test before drivers can legally register them. So, in states like California, if you do not have a functional catalytic converter, you will not be driving legally for much longer!

Catalytic Converters are Standard in All Vehicles

Before the Seventies, catalytic converters were not all that common in cars, as they were not standard in the automotive manufacturing industry. It wasn’t until 1975 that catalytic converters were made a mandatory part of automotive assembly as a response to regulations surrounding the link between vehicles and air pollution.

Catalytic Converters Abate Many Toxic Emissions

As mentioned, catalytic converters effectively convert harmful exhaust pollutants into less harmful ones, making them extraordinary innovations for reducing air pollution levels locally, and even worldwide. They can minimize several types of toxic and poisonous muffler emissions from being released into the atmosphere, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and many other kinds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Catalytic Converters Function Optimally at High Temperatures

In most cases of internal automotive workings, too much heat is a bad thing. We’ve all experienced, or at least witnessed, an overheating car engine low on coolant. But when it comes to catalytic converters, they actually work best at higher temperatures. This is not a good thing. As your car gets older, it takes longer for the engine to fully heat up, thus delaying the response of the catalytic converter. So, older cars tend to have less emission control protection compared to cars that are newer, or have new motors.   

Is your car’s catalytic converter broken, and the cost to replace it is more than the total value of your vehicle? Contact GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to sell your junk car in Indianapolis, Indiana for cash on the spot! We provide free junk car removal, so we come to you!

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GC’s Junk Cars 317-608-2188

Do Junk Cars Contain Precious Metal?

Precious metals are naturally occurring elements that form in the Earth’s crust and retain high economic value. So what does this mean? It means that these metals are worth a whole lot of money! In the junk car selling industry, many sellers wonder what makes their vehicle more or less valuable than another, and one answer to this questions may be precious metal content. Cars have various parts and constituents that are made from or contain precious metal. So if you have a junk car that you want to get rid of, you can get more money if it still retains these valuable elements.

Continue reading to learn which precious metals can be found in a car, and where.

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Sell Us Your Junk Car Parts!
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Well known precious metals include gold, silver, platinum, tungsten, zirconium, palladium, rhodium, cerium, manganese, and nickel. And many of these same precious metals can be found in a vehicle. It all depends on where you look. There are two main areas of a vehicle that will likely contain precious metal: circuit boards and the catalytic converter.

Circuit Boards

If a car has an engine and an electrical system, it will surely have circuit boards. Modern circuit boards are designed with gold plated contact “fingers” at their edges where their connectors slide on. This gold is highly valuable to a junk car buyer. Onboard computer systems, such as powertrain control modules (PCM) and engine control units (ECU), contain circuit boards that control antilock brakes (ABS), fuel injection, ignition timing, emission controls, transmission shifting, turbocharger boost, and much more.

As of today, the current U.S. market value for GOLD is $1,201.49 per ounce.

Catalytic Converters

All vehicles (with the exception of propane-powered engines or electric cars) contain a catalytic converter, which also happens to be one of the most valuable automotive parts in a car. That is because catalytic converters are made of several precious metals. Platinum is the primary precious metal in catalytic converters, but they may also contain other alloys mentioned earlier, such as palladium, rhodium, cerium, and manganese.

As of today, the current U.S. market value for PLATINUM is $839.50 per ounce.
As of today, the current U.S. market value for PALLADIUM is $1,109 per ounce.
As of today, the current U.S. market value for RHODIUM is $2,500 per ounce.

(METAL PRICES SOURCE: www.infomine.com)

How to Sell Junk Cars and Automotive Parts

Cash for Junk Cars 317-608-2188

Cash for Junk Cars 317-608-2188

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to sell your old car parts for cash on the spot! We will buy any junk cars and car parts in Central Indiana, regardless of age, make, model, or condition. For those who wish to sell a junk car, we offer free towing with our in-house tow truck, so all you have to do is call and accept our offer! Call 317-608-2188 to request a free estimate, anytime!

Do I Need Car Radiator Repair?

Your vehicle’s radiator is very important because it prevents the engine from overheating. Every time you drive your vehicle, your engine produces high levels of heat. Without a properly-functioning radiator, your vehicle’s heat levels cannot be managed, which can lead to serious safety issues and automotive damage.

Continue reading to learn more about car radiators, and the common signs that suggest it needs to be repaired.

Sell Your Old Car Parts 317-608-2188

Sell Your Old Car Parts in Indy
317-608-2188

How They Work

Radiators pump coolant through the inner components of your engine. The coolant absorbs the heat that the engine produces, and then travels back to the radiator where it is rapidly cooled. The entire cycle is continuous and constant while you drive. On a side note, coolant also doubles as anti-freeze, and prevents your engine from freezing up in cold temperatures.

Radiator Problems

Since radiators are the primary component of a vehicle’s cooling system, it is vital for them to remain in good condition. When a radiator begins to have issues, you will usually start to notice the signs. The most common signs include overheating engines, coolant leaks, low coolant levels, and sludge in the radiator. Below is a brief description of each sign and why they occur.

Overheating Engine The most common sign that your radiator is in need of service or repair is an overheating engine. Sometimes, all you need is some more coolant to take care of an overheated engine. But when the overheating persists, it is a sign that your radiator needs attention.

Leaking Coolant The next most common sign that a radiator needs repaired is seeing coolant on the ground beneath your vehicle. This is usually caused by a leak in your coolant tubes or a crack in the radiator shell, and it is a serious problem that requires immediate attention.

Low Coolant Levels If you notice that you are refilling your car’s coolant too frequently, that means your vehicle is either using too much too quickly, or you have a coolant leak somewhere. Both are serious issues that require immediate automotive repair.

Sludge You probably won’t discover sludge in your radiator on your own. It is more likely that your mechanic will come across it during a routine service appointment or while making unrelated repairs. Sludge in your radiator means there is an excessive amount of contaminants in your coolant. The contaminants will give coolant, normally brightly-colored, to a rusty or oily color. It is commonly caused by a defective transmission cooler inside the radiator. Not all vehicles have this.

Need to Replace Your Radiator?

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GC's Junk Cars of Indianapolis 317-608-2188

GC’s Junk Cars of Indianapolis 317-608-2188

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to sell your junk car parts for cash in Indianapolis, Indiana. We will buy any junk cars and car parts in Central Indiana, regardless of age, make, model, or condition. For those who wish to sell a junk car, we offer free towing with our in-house tow truck, so all you have to do is call and accept our offer! Request a free estimate, anytime!

Can Magnesium Be Recycled?

Sell Your Old Car Parts 317-608-2188

Sell Your Old Car Parts
317-608-2188

Magnesium, like most other metals, comes with a long list of interesting and informative facts. For instance, magnesium is the 8th most abundant element in the earth’s crust. Furthermore, this shiny gray-silver metal is the 9th most abundant element in the entire universe! There is a lot that can amaze you about this interesting element, including the endless benefits and applications it offers our society. And because magnesium is so beneficial to our world, it is vital that we conserve it as much as possible. The most effective, current magnesium conservation initiative is recycling. Not only is it possible to recycle magnesium, it is a critical step toward preserving our planet’s natural resources.

Magnesium-Based Alloys

It is not common for standard consumers to have pure magnesium. Instead, magnesium-based alloys and materials are most common. The two primary categories are casting alloys and wrought alloys. Casting alloys are mostly manufactured by die casting, permanent mold casting, and sand casting; while wrought alloys are usually combined with manganese, aluminum, zinc, or zirconium, depending on the application. The process of manufacturing both categories of magnesium alloys produces scrap magnesium, which can be recycled and reused all over again. Recycling scrap magnesium materials only uses 5% of the total energy expended to mine new magnesium. This is what makes it so critical to our environment.

What You Can Recycle

There are so many commodities that are manufactured with magnesium because of it is light weight, low density, heat resistance, and corrosion resistance qualities. Casting alloys are commonly used in the manufacturing of aircraft components, automotive parts, and power tools. Wrought alloys are often used to manufacture similar commodities, as well as, items like aircraft fuselages, helicopter gears, computer cases, bicycle frames, baseball catchers’ masks, and more.

Recyclable Magnesium Scrap:

Magnesium Scrap Metal
Magnesium Alloy By-Product
Iron Magnesium Scrap Metal
Spent Magnesium Oxide (MgO)
Surplus Magnesium Oxide (MgO)
Magnesium Garbage
Magnesium Turnings
Magnesium Engraver Plates
Automotive Parts
Motor Bikes
Bicycles
Cameras
Phones
Electronics
Horseshoes
Snowshoes
And Much More!

How to Sell Your Old Car Parts

GC's Junk Cars 317-608-2188

GC’s Junk Cars of Indianapolis 317-608-2188

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to sell your old car parts for cash on the spot! We will buy any junk cars and car parts in Central Indiana, regardless of age, make, model, or condition. For those who wish to sell a junk car, we offer free towing with our in-house tow truck, so all you have to do is call and accept our offer! Call 317-608-2188 to request a free estimate, anytime!