While consumers get revved up about rebates for their old gas–guzzlers, auto technician John Eichorn is getting a kick out of wrecking the engines in the clunkers that have been traded in.
"It's kind of backwards because we're used to fixing them," said Eichorn. "But it's kind of fun to destroy them at the same time."
Eichorn works at Bob Lindsay Honda in Peoria, where they put to rest almost a dozen cars on Thursday. Its part of the "cash for clunkers" program.
Sales manager Mike Bowermaster says once a customer trades in their old, inefficient vehicle it can never go back on the street.
"Once we drain the oil out we put the chemical in there," said Bowermaster. "Once you start the motor that goes through the motor and freezes up the motor. Some of it is a shame because they are good running vehicles, but the program wouldn't be effective if the car wasn't destroyed because it can't be on the road anymore."
The engine is also stamped with a special label to show that the motor won't run anymore.
There is a criteria for the clunker you are trading in. First, it has to get 18 miles per gallon or less, you have to have owned it for at least a year and it has to be insured.
"Some of it is a shame because they are good running vehicles, but the program wouldn't be effective if the car wasn't destroyed because it can't be on the road anymore," said Bowermster.
Once the engines are wrecked the vehicles go to a salvage yard. Even though they can't be driven anymore their parts can be recycled and become useful again.
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