Cash for Clunkers: Oh the Humanity

Last month I alerted you that the dealership I work for was beginning to take in “Clunkers” for trade. Well, up until yesterday those cars were waiting out back with their fate yet to be determined. Now, their engines are being destroyed by a lethal injection of sodium wilicate or “liquid glass,” a chemical that expands and turns into hardened glass when heat is applied. So far out of the ten vehicles we’ve regretfully destroyed, the engines which have lasted the longest have been a Vortec 350 and a Jeep 4.0 liter. I’m not surprised that both of these exceptional engines withstood five and a half minutes at 2,000 rpm before succumbing to friction and seizing. The worst engine was in a Kia Sedona—it lasted just a minute and a half. I can’t bear to video these mechanical “homicides,” but there are those that have. Don’t watch if you’re squeamish.