Signs That Suggest You Need to Replace Your Catalytic Converter

Posted on December 15, 2020 by gcsjunk

Your vehicle is an important asset. After all, if it weren’t, you probably wouldn’t have one. For this reason, it is important to keep your eyes peeled for any signs that suggest it needs some mechanical attention. Most parts and systems can be easily protected and replaced with little cost. But when it comes to the more complex and important systems in your vehicle, like the catalytic converter and engine, it is better to catch their needs early on, before the cost to repair them gets out of control.

Engines will show obvious signs, including indicator lamp warnings on the dashboard. But when it comes to catalytic converters, the signs are more subtle. Fortunately, with a little knowledge, you will know exactly what to look out for, and what to do when it happens.

Continue reading to learn the top signs that you need to replace your catalytic converter, and how to sell your old one for cash on the spot.

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What Does a Catalytic Converter Do?

Before you can learn to spot the signs of catalytic converter mechanical failure, it helps to learn how this vital auto part works in the first place. By understanding the basic operation of a catalytic converter, you will be naturally more in tune with any signs that might pop up.

A catalytic converter is an advanced exhaust emission control device used to reduce carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), nitrogen oxides, and similar pollutants produced by automotive engines and fuel. Simply put, they are the automotive component responsible for transforming the harmful emissions into less harmful ones, before exiting the vehicle’s exhaust system.

Fun fact: Catalytic converters operate by using metal catalysts, generally consisting of one or more valuable metals, like platinum, rhodium, palladium, and even gold. This precious metal content is what makes catalytic converters so expensive, and so valuable.

Signs of a Failing Catalytic Converter:

⚙ Your Engine is Sluggish or Problematic – If your engine seems like it is not working like it used to, it could be due to a mechanical failure within the catalytic converter. In fact, decreased engine performance is often the very first sign to show up when a catalytic converter is having problems. Usually, the Check Engine Light illuminates on the dash. A blockage or crack within the exhaust system can cause the engine to have poor fuel efficiency, slow acceleration, or power issues.

⚙ Your Check Engine Light is On. As mentioned, one of the very first signs you will likely notice when your catalytic converter is malfunctioning is seeing the Check Engine Light, also known as a Malfunctioning Indicator Lamp (MIL). This light is programmed to come on when anything within your vehicle’s systems is affecting the engine’s performance. A common catalytic converter malfunction that causes the Check Engine Light to come on is when it is not catalyzing the exhaust gases correctly.

⚙ Your Car is Rattling When it Runs. Hearing rattling noises while the engine is running, whether moving or at an idle, is a common indication that something is going wrong with the exhaust system. More times than not, it is due to the catalytic converter corroding or coming apart.

What to Do With an Old Catalytic Converter in Louisville, Kentucky

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 502-804-5605 if you have a junk car or broken catalytic converter to sell in Louisville and its surrounding areas. Not only do we accept all vehicles, regardless of age, make, model, and condition, our Louisville Kentucky cash for cars company also payout the highest returns for junk vehicles in Kentucky. Just accept our offer and we will come pick up your junk car! Contact us today to request a free estimate!

Will Keeping My Totaled Car Reduce My Insurance Claim Payout?

Posted on August 25, 2020 by gcsjunk

After totaling a car, your thoughts are likely all over the place. From medical attention and financial responsibilities, to time of work, kids, family, and more, the aftermath of wrecking a car can be quite overwhelming. But the one thing you should not have to concern yourself with is your automotive insurance claim. When you signed your policy, you agreed to a specific pecuniary procedure in the case that your car is deemed a total loss after an accident or damage.

So, when you are considering the possibility of keeping your car after you total it, your insurance carrier should already have a plan for that option. However, keep in mind that there could be some financial disadvantages to doing so. Furthermore, it might not be an option at all depending on your particular insurance policy limits and restrictions.

Continue reading to learn more about keeping a totaled car and what it could mean in terms of collecting a payout through an automotive insurance claim.

What You Need to Know About Car Insurance Claims and Total Loss Vehicles

In standard automotive insurance policies, if a claimant with full coverage wrecks their vehicle, the insurance company will provide payment to repair the damages. If the insurance company decides that a claimant’s car is totaled, they will officially deem it a total loss, which means the cost to repair the damages exceeds the current cash value of the vehicle. In this case, the claimant with full coverage will receive a payout for its value, minus depreciation. In some cases, an insurance policy does not allow a claimant to keep a totaled car at all, and must physically surrender it to them prior to receiving a check.

If you wish to keep your totaled car, the first question you might have is, “Will I get paid less for it?” The answer is an unequivocal and resounding yes. This makes sense, otherwise insurance companies would have to operate on an entirely different business model. How much less you get from your insurance company will depend on several factors, which you will have to read in the fine print of your policy. Most often, it is at least 50% less, which is a significant deduction.

Where to Sell a Totaled Car in Louisville, Kentucky

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 502-804-5605 to sell a junk car in Louisville and its surrounding counties, 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 Kentucky 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!

Will I Make More Money if I Part Out My Junk Car?

Posted on April 8, 2020 by gcsjunk

There is more than one way to sell a junk car. Primarily, you can choose to sell it privately, under the table, or you can sell it directly to a local cash for cars company. Regardless of the route you choose, your number one priority should be to make the most money. How can you do this? Well, many feel strongly that parting out a junk car piece by piece will confer a higher ROI; but this might not be true for everyone. In most cases, in fact, sellers make more money when they sell their junk car whole.

Continue reading to learn the pros and cons of parting out and junk car, compared to selling it as is.

Parting Out a Junk Car

Although it is possible to make more money by selling each individual part of a junk car rather than selling it whole, most of the time this is not the case. Those who have an advantage in terms of parting out a junk car are those who have training and knowledge of automotive mechanics, or who retain connections with people who are formally trained mechanics.

That is because these people do not have to pay for the labor required to dismantle a junk vehicle. If you hire a licensed mechanic to do the job, you can expect to pay more for their service than what you would make overall from selling your junk car whole. Furthermore, many of the auto parts in a junk vehicle might not even be refurbish-able or re-sellable, making it moot to take the time to dismantle them piece by piece.

Unless you can get your junk car dismantled for free, you are wasting your time trying to part it our for a higher profit. For those who are not mechanics, nor have a mechanic that will work for free, the best course of action is to sell a junk car whole to a local junk car buyer. This option will render the most money, while also maintaining simplicity and convenience.

Selling a Junk Car Whole

When you sell your junk car as a whole, you can expect to get paid immediately, which is not the case if you were to dismantle it and sell off the parts individually. Also, you can expect certain amenities that make the process easier, like free pickup and haul-away, cash payments, and modern technologies that accurately confirm the true scrap value of your junk car. All of this keeps money in your pocket.

How to Get Started in Louisville

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 502-804-5605 to sell a junk car for cash on the spot in Louisville, Kentucky. Not only do we accept all vehicles, regardless of age, make, model, and condition, we also payout the highest returns for junk vehicles in Kentucky. Just accept our offer and we will come pick up your junk car! Contact us today to request a free estimate!