Is My Car Totaled if Motor Oil Gets Inside the Engine Coolant?

Posted on June 17, 2020 by junkcars17

Motor oil and engine coolant are two of the seven essential vehicular fluids. Motor oil lubricates the engines internal workings, while coolant manages the internal engine temperatures. Although both fluids are vital for all vehicles, they can also be harmful under certain circumstances. You see, if motor oil leaks into the coolant, it can be highly damaging to an engine. In fact, it is among the most damaging circumstances a vehicle could face internally.

Continue reading to learn why motor oil can leak into engine coolant, how to identify signs that suggest this type of damage, and whether or not it means the end for your car.

Indianapolis Junk Car Buyers 317-608-2188

Motor Oil Engine Coolant Damage

When oil and coolant mix, it forms a viscid milk-like substance that closely resembles a melted chocolate milkshake. This combination is problematic because coolant contains glycol, which will not boil away and disintegrate. It stays in the oil and forms organic acids that turns the oil into a thick, viscous substance. This, subsequently, reduces the oils ability to disperse itself through the engine. Not only does this cause internal engine corrosion and damage, it effects other areas of a vehicle as well.

Causes

The most common cause of finding oil in engine coolant is a blown head gasket. A blown engine gasket can create an internal leak that is unnoticeable to a driver until it’s too late and damage has already been done. A less likely cause could be a cracked cylinder head or engine block. A crack in the cylinder head can occur between the oil galleys and coolant passages, thus allowing oil to leak inside the coolant.

An internal crack in the engine block is an even less likely cause of motor oil leaking into radiator coolant. There could be several other reasons as well, including poorly sealed or stripped head bolts, oil cooler leaks, water pump defects, and more.

The Forecast for a Car With Severe Engine Damage

When a vehicle has a blown head gasket or cracked engine block, the repairs are typically very high. On average, a person can expect to pay around $2,000 for a blown head gasket. For cracked engine blocks, repairs are not usually possible. Instead, engine replacement would be necessary, which can be even more expensive than a blown head gasket repair.

For these reasons, often times, a vehicle is deemed totaled by the insurance company since the cost to repair is worth more than the current market value of the vehicle. If this happens to you, sell your totaled car to a local Indianapolis junk car buyer for instant cash profit.

Sell a Junk Car For Cash in Indianapolis Today!

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to sell a junk car in Indianapolis, today! We have been buying junk cars throughout the Central Indiana area for several years and make the car selling process easy. You will get the best price for your car because you are selling directly to the scrap yard! There is never a middle man, which means you walk away with more cash in your pocket. We buy all types of vehicles in all types of shape, running or not, and offer free towing and pick-up.

What Does a Junk Car Appraiser Look For?

Posted on May 13, 2020 by junkcars17

When you have a junk car to sell, your top priority is probably to make the most money you can. However, you can’t achieve your goal of retaining a decent profit unless you first choose the right junk car buyer. There are literally hundreds of so-called “junk car buyers” in your area, but not all are true, industry professionals. Many are con artists, scammers, and what you would call a “fly-by-the-night” business. Instead, look for a trusted Cash for Cars company that can offer the best payout for your junk vehicle. A reputable junk car buyer uses a systematic, concentrated approach to appraise scrap vehicles and estimate a fair offer.

Continue below to learn what a junk car appraiser looks for when building their estimates.

Indianapolis Junk Car Buyers — Sell Us Your Junk Car! 317-608-2188

Junk car buying companies accept all scrap vehicles and motorized equipment, regardless of age, make, model, or condition. However, these same factors will influence the overall value of a scrap vehicle. When you schedule your junk car appraisal, the appraiser will arrive and look for several factors to determine the overall scrap value of your vehicle, but the top 4 include:

❶ Vehicle Location – The location of your junk car has a small, yet nominal impact on the overall appraised value. This impact is not the same across the board, and instead, varies from company to company. To reduce this impact, choose a junk car buyer that offers free towing and haul-away, so that you will not have to pay out-of-pocket to have your junk car removed.

❷ Vehicle Condition – The condition of a scrap vehicle is important to the overall scrap value since more operational parts and cars are worth more than non-operational ones. Cars that still run are worth more than cars that do not, and so on. If the car does not run, it will likely be sold for its parts, all of which can affect the overall appraisal.

❸ Current Scrap Metal Prices – The current prices for scrap metal in the United States and global economy have the most impact on how much your junk car will be appraised for. The average car is made of approximately 55% steel, 300 lbs. of aluminum, and weighs around 2.5 tons. You simply need to look at the market and do the math.

❹ Make and Model – The make and age of a junk vehicle also have a major impact on its appraisal value. Some cars are more in demand in the scrap industry than others. For instance, older or rarer cars whose parts are not manufactured anymore are higher in demand than current make and model vehicles.

Where to Sell a Junk Car for the Highest Price in Indiana

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to sell a junk car in Indianapolis. Our Indiana junk car buyers offer free towing with our in-house tow truck, so all you have to do is call and accept our offer! We will schedule a time to pick up your vehicle and pay you cash. No title? No problem! Give us a call anyway! Call 317-608-2188 to request a free estimate, today.

5 Possible Causes for an Overheating Car Engine

Posted on April 24, 2020 by junkcars17

When your check engine light illuminates, it is often the first sign of car trouble. There are various reasons why your car’s check engine light could come on, from a loose gas cap or faulty chip, to a blown head gasket or something much worse. But when it comes to your engine overheating, there are 5 probable causes behind the problem; and the signs are not hard to see.

Continue reading to learn how to identify an overheating car engine, and the top 5 reasons why it happens.

Is Your Car Engine Overheating?

One of the first signs of an overheating car engine is usually seeing the temperature gauge nearing or exceeding the maximum internal engine temperature level illustrated on the dial. Yet, most people just see smoke coming from the hood! You might also smell burning oil or fuel, which is another sign of your car engine overheating.

5 Causes for Overheated Engines:

⚙ Radiator Issues

There are two common radiator defects that can lead to a car engine overheating. First, you could have a bad radiator fan. This fan blows air over the radiator fins in order to help control the temperature of the coolant. If it comes loose, has broken shrouds, or spins freely when the engine is off, it cannot perform its intended duties, causing the coolant temperature to raise and overheat the engine. But if the fan is not the problem, it could just be a faulty radiator. Leaks, clogs, and broken lines can cause a radiator to malfunction, and subsequently cause a car engine to overheat.

⚙ Cooling System Issues

A vehicle’s cooling system lines can get blocked or clogged with rust, dirt, or sediment. This inhibits the cooling system from being able to do its job, thus causing the engine overheat. This is why regular fluid flushed and replacements are imperative. Another common cause of an overheating car engine in terms of a vehicle’s cooling system are leaks. Leaks in the cooling system are a frequent cause for overheating car engines. Also, if you use the wrong concentration of coolant, it can have the same affect. Be sure to get an even water-to-coolant ratio.

⚙ Thermostat Issues

A bad thermostat is another common reason for overheated car engines. It is a heat-sensitive valve that opens and shuts in accordance to engine temperature. If something goes wrong and the thermostat gets stuck in the closed position, the car engine’s temperature will skyrocket.

⚙ Water Pump Issues

The water pump is colloquially known as the “heart” of the vehicle since it pumps coolant much like a heart pumps blood. But a vehicle’s water pump pressurizes and propels coolant through the cooling system, so it plays a major role in a car’s temperature control. If something goes wrong, the coolant can’t make it to the engine, and the engine gets too hot.

⚙ Belt and Hose Issues

Broken and loose belts, as well as, worn or burst hoses, are common causes for overheating car engines. Belts turn the water pump, which is essential for the cooling system and more. If they stop working, so does the cooling system. A faulty hose means leaks, which means a lack of coolant. This also causes a car to overheat.

Is Your Car Now a Total Loss? Sell Your Junk Car for Cash TODAY!

Your Trusted Indianapolis Junk Car Buyers

Will Auto Insurance Cover Engine Fires?

Posted on April 7, 2020 by junkcars17

Car engines can catch fire for many reasons. From arson to accidents, the list of possible causes might be broad, but will always bring you back to the question of insurance coverage. Is an engine fire accident covered or not? Continue reading to learn what you need to know about car insurance engine fire claims, and your options for recovering a payment for your junk vehicle.

Comprehensive Insurance Coverage

Unless you have comprehensive insurance coverage for your vehicle, it WILL NOT be covered under policy in the case of an engine fire. You see, collision coverage will cover car wrecks, while comprehensive insurance policies cover all types of damage that can happen to a vehicle aside from a collision, such as vandalism, fallen tree, flooding, theft, and of course, engine fires.

In some states, comprehensive insurance coverage is mandatory for all vehicle owners, but most states keep it optional. However, if you are financing your vehicle, it is likely that your lender will require comprehensive coverage, even in you live in a state that does not legally enforce such insurance. This is especially true if the vehicle is being used as collateral for a loan.

Engines Fires

Engine fires can happen for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, engine fires are intentionally started for the purpose of vandalism, which is referred to as arson. Other times, car engines catch fire as a result of serious collisions, improper fuel storage, and faulty or defective automotive mechanics. Most auto insurance does not coverage mechanical malfunctions, but engine fires are typically an exception under such policies.

If an engine catches fire in your garage, even if the cause was accidental or a result of a system failure in the house, it will not be covered under homeowners’ insurance, but would be covered under comprehensive. Similarly, if your car is vandalized and set on fire, it will not be covered under your homeowners’ nor your automotive insurance (unless you have comprehensive).

Total Loss Vehicles

Virtually all engine fires cause a vehicle to be a total loss, which means the cost to repair it back to its original, pre-accident condition is higher than the current market value. When this happens, and you do not have comprehensive insurance coverage, you might be feeling like you are out of luck. Although you cannot receive an Actual Cash Value insurance settlement to buy a new car, you can sell it to a local junk car buyer. A Cash for Cars Company will pay you on the spot for your vehicle, regardless of its condition. This profit can be handy, as it can be applied toward a new car or car payment.

How Sell a Junk Car in Indiana

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to sell a junk car in Indianapolis, Indiana. We make the car selling process as easy as possible by offering FREE towing with our in-house tow truck! So all you have to do is call and accept our offer. We will schedule a time to pick up your vehicle and pay you CASH ON THE SPOT! We accept all vehicles and motorized commodities, regardless of age or condition. Request a free estimate, today!

The Good News After Totaling an Old Car

Posted on March 26, 2020 by junkcars17

Have you just totaled your car, and since it was so old, the insurance check is nowhere near enough to cover the cost of a new one? If so, you are probably panicking right now, nervously wondering how you are going to get to work tomorrow, and afford a new car after that. Well, don’t. There is actually some good news for you! You can still make a decent return on your junk car by selling it to a local junk car buyer, rather than cashing in your paltry insurance offer.

Continue reading to learn how to get started and who will pay you the most cash on the spot for your totaled vehicle.

Junk Car Buyers Accept All Vehicles

You can sell your totaled car to any local junk car buying company. In fact, a Cash for Cars Company will accept any type of motorized commodity, regardless of the age, make, model, or condition. They buy cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, motorcycles, boats, jet skis, construction equipment, tractors, and anything else that was designed to run on fuel.

How to Get Started

Your first step to selling a totaled car to a Cash for Cars Company is to inform your insurance carrier. From there, all you have to do to get started is find a reputable junk car buyer who can actually afford to pay you the full and fair amount for your vehicle. Because there are literally hundreds of options right in your very own city, finding a truly professional and honest company can be challenging.

Look for a junk car buying company that provides free estimates, free towing and pickup, and cash on the spot. Furthermore, be sure they have been in business for several years, are polite, and have good customer reviews. You will know you have found a good Cash for Cars Company to do business with if they have all of these attributes, plus show you courtesy and respect.

Once you choose a junk car buyer, all you have to do is make the call, get a quote, and accept their offer. From there, the Cash for Cars Company should pick up your vehicle, have you sign over the title, and then pay you cash on the spot! Just be sure you remember to remove all your personal belongings and license plate before they arrive!

Who to Trust for the Best Junk Car Deal in Indiana

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to sell a totaled car in Indianapolis, today! We accept all make and model vehicles, regardless of age or condition! There is never a middleman, which means you walk away with more cash in your pocket. Furthermore, we will dispose of your vehicle according to all Indiana EPA regulations. You can rest assured that your car will not have a negative impact on our environment. We also offer free towing haul away!

What Can I Do to Increase the Value of My Junk Car?

Posted on March 12, 2020 by junkcars17

The question of increasing the monetary value of a junk car is sort of an enigma. After all, the reason why a junk car is a junk car is because it lacks conventional automotive value. However, there are some key points that might help you figure out how to make more money when selling a junk car.

Continue reading to learn what you can do to ensure your junk car renders the profit you deserve.

Repairing a Junk Car

The guaranteed option for increasing the value of a junk car is to repair it in as many places as possible, both cosmetically and mechanically. The increase in value will depend on how much work the vehicle needs, and how much you are willing to pay to have it repaired. The conundrum with this option is also the subject: value. You must ask yourself whether or not the money paid to repair the vehicle is worth the ultimate profit you obtain in the end. The only way this option works out well for the seller is if the junk car is repaired to the point of drivability, and can be granted a new car title that is not salvaged.

Dismantling a Junk Car

Another option to render a higher profit from a junk car is to dismantle it and sell off each part individually. This can increase the amount of money you make in total. The downfall to this option is that you will need to pay a mechanic, out of pocket, for the dismantling. Even if you are familiar with automotive mechanic work, it is important to have it done professional in order to guarantee product integrity and resale value. Furthermore, you must also put in the time and effort it takes to list your parts for sale and deal with all the incoming calls and customer inquiries.

Choose a Reputable Buyer for Your Junk Car

The best option for increasing the value of your junk car is to simply choose a junk car buyer that is well-established and does not use a middleman that will take more money out of your pocket. This option does not require you to lift a finger nor spend a dime; instead, it only requires you to do proper research and find a cash for cars company that will pay you a full and fair payout. There are hundreds of junk car buyers out there, so be sure you know which ones you can trust. Look for a company that has been in business for a long time and retains innovative technologies to assess the value of a junk car.

Who Pays the Most for Junk Cars in Indianapolis?

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to sell a junk car in Indianapolis, today! We accept all make and model vehicles, regardless of age or condition! There is never a middleman, which means you walk away with more cash in your pocket. Furthermore, we will dispose of your vehicle according to all Indiana EPA regulations. You can rest assured that your car will not have a negative impact on our environment. We also offer free towing haul away!

Why Junk Car Sales Makes Environmental Sense

Posted on February 26, 2020 by junkcars17

Are you on the fence when it comes to getting rid of that junk car of yours? If so, perhaps learning why junk car sales is so impactful on the quality of our local economies and environment, will push you in the right direction. In fact, selling a junk car is as easy as making a single phone call, so long as you choose the right junk car company to do business with.

Continue reading to why junk car sales makes such environmental sense, and how you can sell your junk car in as little as one day!

Junk Cars and the Economy

Junk cars can be sold for the metal inside them, which is 100% recyclable, and can be repurposes almost indefinitely. This makes junk car sales a lucrative industry for both buyers and sellers. Furthermore, the sales of junk cars also stimulate the economy in many ways, like circulating locally-earned money and providing jobs. An estimated 14 million tons of steel are scrapped from cars, annually [Source: ISRI].

Junk Car Recycling

The junk car selling enterprise is profitable, but it is also environmentally-wise. Cars are primarily made of metal, with an average of such metal being 65% steel. Since steel is a widely-used commodity that can be recycled and reused over and over again, it generally retains good economic value. Per ton, the average price of steel lingers around $250 or so.

Why Recycle Junk Cars

According to the EPA, the steel recycling process requires around 74% less energy than it takes to make new steel. In fact, virtually all steel produced today contains an average of 25% recycled metal. Furthermore, recycled steel is less expensive since the fixed overhead costs of mining and production are no longer relevant. Aside from the environmental benefits, perhaps the best reason for you to sell your junk car and have it recycled is because it can put instant cash in your hand.

How to Sell Your Junk Car for Cash

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to sell a junk car for cash in Indianapolis, today! We have been buying junk cars throughout the Central Indiana area for several years. You will get the best price for your car because you are selling directly to the scrap yard! There is never a middle man, which means you walk away with more cash in your pocket. We buy all types of vehicles in all types of shape, running or not, and offer free towing and pick-up.

Which Vehicles Can I Sell to a Junk Car Company?

Posted on February 10, 2020 by junkcars17

Whether you are an old junkyard owner looking to retire, a mechanic with an extensive personal collection that you never got around to restoring, or someone with a load of motorized junk on hand, you might be wondering exactly what a junk car company might accept, and what they might deny. The good news is, whatever you have is likely accepted, and worth some cash.

Continue reading for a basic overview of which types of vehicles and motorized commodities are widely purchased by auto salvagers.

What is an Auto Salvager?

The term auto salvager is indicative of what a junk car company is all about. They take in vehicles that are no longer functional or worth repairing, and them salvage whatever parts and materials can be salvaged. Such parts and materials will be recycled, refurbished, or smelted down for metal. All of this is great news for someone who wishes to sell a junk car, because it means that all cars, regardless of age or condition, are valuable. Whether it runs or not, someone out there will gladly take it off your hands, and even pay you cash on the spot.

What a Junk Car Buyer Wants to Buy:

? Trucks – Semi’s, fire trucks, delivery trucks, box trucks, dump trucks, tow trucks, food trucks, standard pickups, etc.

? Cars – Sedans, compact, two-door, sports, four-door, SUV’s, vans, buses, taxis, limousines, etc.

? Construction Equipment – Cement mixers, bulldozers, forklifts, tankers, loaders, street sweepers, excavators, etc.

? Farm Equipment – Tractors, combines, balers, seed drills, lawn mowers, backhoes, excavators, etc.

? Miscellaneous – Motorcycles, motor bikes, scooters, mopeds, golf carts, ATV’s, boats, jet skis, snow mobiles, airplanes, etc.

A Trusted Indianapolis Junk Car Buyer

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to get started on your free quote if you wish to sell a junk car in Central Indiana. We offer free towing with our in-house tow truck, so all you have to do is call and accept our offer. We will schedule a time to pick up your vehicle, and then pay you cash on the spot. Request a free estimate, today!

How Does the Junk Car Buying Process Work?

Posted on January 13, 2020 by junkcars17

After years of collecting weeds and stray animals, your junk car is ready to be sold to a salvage yard. Although you might think that its value is not worth the trouble of going through the junk car selling process, you’d actually be surprised to learn how much a buyer would pay for it’s metal content. You see, cars contain a large amount of metal, which is 100% recyclable. This reusable metal is highly value to our economy, and therefore, fervently sought out by a variety of buyers, including junk car companies.

Sure, the worth of a junk car will vary on a large spectrum depending on a wide range of factors, but the reality is that you can still get rid of a piece of junk and put some cash in your pocket, all in the same day. All you have to do is get the junk car selling and buying process started on the right foot.

Continue reading to learn how the junk car sales process works, what you need to know, and who to trust for the highest payouts in Central Indiana.

Junk Car Research

Your first step to selling a junk car is happening right now; research. It is important to educate yourself on the basic economics and practices in the junk car buying industry. This knowledge will set you up with a basis that will allow you to ask the right questions and choose the right buyer. Typically, the first item of information a junk car seller wants to know is how much their car is worth. As mentioned, junk car values will vary depending on a wide scope of factors, including make, model, age, condition, and current market demand.

The only way to know how much your junk asset is worth is to have it evaluated in-person by a qualified junk car professional. Such professionals will retain state of the art technologies, like electronic weight scales and metal analyzers, and apply these technologies to their years of experience, allowing them to develop an accurate estimation of value for a junk vehicle.

Contact a Junk Car Pro

Once you have given yourself a basic crash course in junk car economics, you are ready to start contacting junk car companies to see who will pay the most and offer the best customer conveniences. For instance, it is wise to choose a junk car buyer who can provide pickup and haul away service at no extra charge. They will simply come to you. Some junk car companies deduct towing fees from their total offer for this type of service. See our blog, “How to Choose the Best Junk Car Buyers” to learn effective strategies for finding a dependable Indianapolis junk car buyer near you.

Accept an Offer

Once you have a junk car buyer on the phone, request a free estimate for your junk car. They will simply ask you a few questions about the vehicle regarding the age, make, model, and condition, and from there, give you a rough estimate. If you prefer a more precise estimate, you can bring your vehicle in and have it evaluated in person. However, if the company does not offer free pickup, you will have to pay to have it towed. In the case that the company does offer free pickup, and you choose not to accept their offer, you will have to reimburse them for the towing.

Prepare Your Vehicle

After you accept an offer, you will need to prove your ownership. A car title is the best way to do this, however, some junk car buyers will accept other documents that prove you are the owner, such as the registration. See our blog, “How Do I Replace a Lost or Stolen Car Title?” to learn more about obtaining one for your junk car. Locate the car title and have it ready for the junk car buyer when they arrive. Finish by clearing out all other personal belongings, including trash and your license plate. Once the junkcar4 buyer arrives to collect the vehicle, just give them the title and they will hand you cash or check.

Learn More About Selling a Junk Car in Indiana

When you really just don’t know who to trust when it comes to scrapping a salvaged vehicle in Indiana, simply go with the best. Contact GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to request a free, over-the-phone quote, or more information regarding the junk car selling process. Whether your vehicle runs or not, we are ready to make you an excellent offer and take it off your hands for free. We have an in-house tow truck that will come directly to your location to pick up your junk car.

How to Assess Your Junk Car’s Worth

Posted on December 30, 2019 by junkcars17

When it comes time to sell your junk car, the very first step is to determine its realistic value. In order to do so accurately, it requires a particular formula that includes gaining a basic understanding of how scrap metal is assigned value on the market, and what factors influence your particular vehicle’s overall worth. Continue below to cover all of these speeds and more.

Junk Car Values

Junk cars are valuable because they contain metal, which is 100% recyclable, and can be melted down and repurposed infinitely. Not only does this help preserve our planet’s natural resources by reducing the need to mine for new ores, it decreases air pollution produced by metal refining factories, stimulates the economy, and much more. So although a junk car is deemed a total loss, it is still worth some cash, but the amount of cash depends on several factors.

Such factors include the current market price for the vehicle, the amount of depreciation in its used condition, the cost of repairs or replacements needed to get the vehicle back into a working condition, the make and model of the vehicle, the vehicle’s location, its present overall condition, the current market prices for scrap metal, and much more. This is why the value of one junk car is almost always different from another. However, the most important and influential factor is market value. Basically, when the price of metal is down, a junk car is worth less; and when the price of metal is up, a junk car is worth more.

How to Get a Fair Junk Car Assessment

The best way to learn how much your junk car is worth is to have it appraised, professionally. It requires certain equipment, resources, and industry knowledge to make a proper estimation. This includes metal identification technology, such as XRF analyzers, as well as, electronic scales, metal market adeptness, and much more. So who can you trust do have all of this and a commitment to customer service? The answer is in Central Indiana.

Just Call GC’s Junk Cars!

Here at GC’s Junk Cars, our Indianapolis junk car center retains advanced technologies and state-of-the-art analyzation equipment that allows us to read the type of metal in a vehicle, and the quantities present. We also look up the make and model vehicle to determine the specific percentage of metals and non-metals, then implement the proper mathematical calculations to remove the non-metal percentage from the final quote.

Contact us today at 317-608-2188 to request a free, over-the-phone quote, or more information regarding the junk car selling process. Whether your vehicle runs or not, we are ready to make you an excellent offer and take it off your hands for free. We have an in-house tow truck that will come directly to your location to pick up your junk car!