Catalytic Converter Theft

[mattdavis11]

Watch out, the sawzalls cometh! I have visited with 70+ repair shops this week in the Austin, Texas area. Excluding but a few, all have had a call, or have seen what was there, vanish.

Toyota seems to be getting hit the hardest. They are going after Pruis just as hard as the trucks. Honda next, then diesel.

If you have a fleet, get the cameras up.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by mattdavis11

Watch out, the sawzalls cometh! I have visited with 70+ repair shops this week in the Austin, Texas area. Excluding but a few, all have had a call, or have seen what was there, vanish.

Toyota seems to be getting hit the hardest. They are going after Pruis just as hard as the trucks. Honda next, then diesel.

If you have a fleet, get the cameras up.

I knew trucks got hit hard. Prius, that's hard to imagine, but if there's "free money" to be gained, then wankers will figure out a way.

Are these still for scrap? I think that's why they used to be stolen, right?

[matthewb0051]

My co-worker had his Toyota tundra in the shop in Northern NY when we were stationed there in 2008. Bad guys went into the dealership service lot and cut his entire exhaust system off.

I just thought he was just the unlucky kind...

[1990C4S]

The scrap yard near me has a big sign 'We Buy Catalytic Converters!'.

So, that's where some go...

Hard way to make a living, but I'm guessing the trucks are popular because they are higher off the ground, and worth more.

[Yorkie]

It’s daily here in LA. Small gangs roam around the South Bay at night stealing the catalysts and the cops are playing cat and mouse with them. The NextDoor app is lit up each morning with stories of woe from victims. Apparently they are sold to scrap merchants for the rare metals.

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by masraum

Are these still for scrap? I think that's why they used to be stolen, right?

They sell them for scrap to recover the platinum in them. I thought scrap yards were supposed to alert authorities when someone comes in with them. Now they say to scribe your VIN or plate number onto the cat.

[look 171]

Newer diesels? After certain year? They got my Dad's old CRV about 6 months back (sold it after installing new). I know the newer car wouldn't pass smog with after market cats so its dealer only. That can get into the thousands because they have more then one cat. Bastards.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Makes a guy want to stick a decoy vehicle out there somewhere with a hidden electrical circuit running about 50,000 volts through the exhaust pipe near the (fake, hollowed-out) catalytic converter as a conductor...

Then get your zoom lens camera and popcorn ready.

[look 171]

I know that they are only interested in Factory Cats only, no after market?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Makes a guy want to stick a decoy vehicle out there somewhere with a hidden electrical circuit running about 50,000 volts through the exhaust pipe near the (fake, hollowed-out) catalytic converter as a conductor...

Then get your zoom lens camera and popcorn ready.

or really old pig's blood
maybe some old fish blood and guts
or maybe tannerite...

[Heel n Toe]

I read somewhere there are guards or protectors one can have installed to make the theft more difficult... I can't imagine it having much of an effect past 15-30 more seconds to cut it out of the way.

[908/930]

Years ago in Toronto area they were going to the Go train station during the day and hitting 10 cars a day.

[stevej37]

MI has almost eliminated the 'cat thefts' by not requiring them.

[MBAtarga]

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

I read somewhere there are guards or protectors one can have installed to make the theft more difficult... I can't imagine it having much of an effect past 15-30 more seconds to cut it out of the way.

No direct experience - but I have seen these recommended previously:

https://catclamp.com/

[fastfredracing]

Mcgaurd should make cat locks . Then customers could loose that key also

[KNS]

What does a scrap yard typically pay for a stolen.. er, used cat?

[gtc]

That cable contraption is bizarre.
There are shield plates for toyotas that are supposed to deter thieves.

[biosurfer1]

I've seen people spray paint theirs neon colors. Apparently if the cat's are painted or scraped clean, the yards are not supposed to take them.... "supposed" to.

[gtc]

I see ads on facebook all the time for people buying used cats. It's so blatant that I've wondered if it's actually a sting op by the police.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by KNS

What does a scrap yard typically pay for a stolen.. er, used cat?

$60-$90 here for one.