VIDEO: Cash for Clunkers engine being killed
Click above to watch video after the jump
The government has set forth clear rules governing what happens to a vehicle that's been traded in under the Cash for Clunkers program. Before being shipped to a processor and shredded into metallic lettuce, the dealer that accepts the trade-in must permanently disable the engine... kill it... dead. We've already described for you what the process entails: Draining the vehicle's oil and replacing it with sodium silicate solution, turning the car on and revving it at 2,000 rpm until the engine seizes. It sounds as efficient as an executioner's blade, but as this video after the jump of the process being implemented shows, the reality is anything but.
Have you ever watched a car in its final death throes? Be prepared, have a hanky handy. We won't think less of you if tears are shed, even if it is for a 1995 Oldsmobile Aurora with 240,000 miles. Thanks to Wayzata Nissan, you'll see exactly what's required for every single Cash for Clunkers trade-in after the jump.
[Source: YouTube]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 9)
ack154 4:33PM (7/31/2009)
Geez... I thought it was 2000 RPMs, not like 5000?
Reply
Epyx 4:35PM (7/31/2009)
I dont think it is an exact science. Its not like they are worried about damaging the engine.
James 5:00PM (7/31/2009)
"It sounds as efficient as an executioner's blade,.."
Like "execution by lethal injection"...
Such horror for any car.
Matt 5:07PM (7/31/2009)
All that white smoke that's pushed out into the air - I would assume that's not environmentally friendly, but what exactly is it if it's not oil or antifreeze?
suprafan 8:55PM (7/31/2009)
Poor Aurora. I don't know much about the first-gen Aurora but it seemed like a good effort in its V8 engine (didn't it power some Shelby roadster?) and chassis.
Sweetz 8:56PM (7/31/2009)
@Epyx: Couldn't it be dangerous if they rev it too much though? Like is there any way it could catastrophically seize and send pieces of pistons or the crankshaft flying? I have no clue, just pondering.
inteller 10:00AM (8/01/2009)
this is horrible for the second hand parts market. not everyone wants to get rid of their "clunker"
Ronman 3:52AM (8/03/2009)
Talk about helping the enviornment, that is some nasty stuff, why not crunch the whole car like Clarkson did in the Good the Bad and the Ugly, or give it the U.S military for target practice.
this technique looks too surgical, makes me sick... It's not way to kill a car..
skablaw 4:34PM (7/31/2009)
How could a loving God allow this butchery? I think I'm gonna be sick...
Reply
Jeff R 4:40PM (7/31/2009)
man i dunno if this is right... i understand it completely from the economic standpoint. but i have this thing in me that loves watching these machines last as long as possible and fulfill a purpose. maybe im just getting old and cheap at 20 years old. but i say let 'em live!
nrb 4:45PM (7/31/2009)
My stomach turned when it finally seized. What a waste.
jsgibson 4:55PM (7/31/2009)
Next up, humans that are a "drain" on society - courtesy of ObamaCare.
Here you go grandpa, just drink this...
Ray 4:59PM (7/31/2009)
Jeff R, what exactly do you think you know 'from the economic standpoint'?
Josh 12:18AM (8/07/2009)
This whole Cash for Clunkers thing is disgusting. A lot of really nice old cars are being taken off the road and crushed. It's horrible -_-
fmwso 5:55PM (7/31/2009)
RIP Aurora....
Trey H 6:16PM (7/31/2009)
I get the idea of all of this, but I never expected to have that strong a reaction to a car being "killed." These are dark times for car guys.
They'll never take my FJ62 dammit!
McBain 6:33PM (7/31/2009)
jsgibson: Please turn off the talk radio and get some fresh air.
rv 8:15PM (7/31/2009)
I actually felt bad for the car. It was kind of like watching an execution. I was not expecting to react like that at all...
Mike P. 8:18PM (7/31/2009)
The death of this perfectly fine looking Volvo is just as bad, if not worse:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waj2KrKYTZo
The engine hung on for quite a while before kicking the bucket. =[
JZeke 10:44PM (7/31/2009)
That volvo death actually made me sad. It sounded like it was in pain for chrissakes. Isn't there a better way to recycle cars? I woulda loved to drive a big comfy S80 as a winter car, didn't think anyone would just throw it away like that.