Catalytic Converter Theft

billgeo · 06-09-2020, 01:02 PM

Our 2019 Greyhawk just had its catalytic converter stolen.
I'm auto mechanic ignorant and have two questions.
1. Is this something an idiot like me can replace?
2. Is there a means to limit the chances of future thefts?

Note: we park in our community's gated storage lot. The thiefs cut open the fencing and were able to get four catalytic converters from the lot.

Thanks for any insights!

Bill

**Midnightmoon** · 06-09-2020, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billgeo

Our 2019 Greyhawk just had its catalytic converter stolen.
I'm auto mechanic ignorant and have two questions.
1. Is this something an idiot like me can replace?
2. Is there a means to limit the chances of future thefts?

Note: we park in our community's gated storage lot. The thiefs cut open the fencing and were able to get four catalytic converters from the lot.

Thanks for any insights!

Bill

Have you contacted your insurance company? There was a rash of converter thefts here in PA a few years ago and one of the people I work with had theirs stolen. I know that they were covered by insurance minus deductible.

billgeo · 06-09-2020, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midnightmoon

Have you contacted your insurance company? There was a rash of converter thefts here in PA a few years ago and one of the people I work with had theirs stolen. I know that they were covered by insurance minus deductible.

Not yet. Just starting to gather information. The insurance will be my next step.
Thanks!

Vicr · 06-09-2020, 01:32 PM

Call Ford and get the spec's on the CAT. Then call a muffler shop and see if they can source one and then have them install it. Have them weld it in rather than using clamps.

billgeo · 06-09-2020, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vicr

Call Ford and get the spec's on the CAT. Then call a muffler shop and see if they can source one and then have them install it. Have them weld it in rather than using clamps.

Ah! weld it in. Thanks!!

Jagiven · 06-09-2020, 01:48 PM

They are expensive. Around here, the thief crawls under a taller vehicle like a PU, with a cordless sawzall, and cuts them off, so welding does no good.

Police report and and possibly an insurance claim, pending on your deductible.

Best thing might be to install a skid plate over the catalytic converter location. It at least makes it harder.

I have heard of people loosing multiples in the same park and ride lot over a course of a year or two. If they got a few out of your lot and if they thought it was easy, they WILL be back.

Marcm157 · 06-09-2020, 02:08 PM

You can weld a replacement cat back in but you would have to cut the flanges off a new one to do it. Doesn't make sense unless insurance is not going to cover the install of the new one the correct way. Its going to be a bit more involved than simply bolting in the new cat because the thief no doubt just hacked the old one out.

MikeNChelle · 06-09-2020, 02:42 PM

CATs are big money right now. factory ones are bringing $175 - $250.00 each at the scrap dealers. Aftermarket ones, (not a Genuine factory part) only getting $25 - $40. Factory ones have to pass a higher emissions test from the factory on the vehicle. Aftermarket only have to be built to a spec sheet. In our area the carry floor jacks and battery powered sawzalls and no car / truck is exempt. Imports are even a larger target.
Sorry this happened to you.

Vicr · 06-09-2020, 02:47 PM

As a person who stopped the theft of the CAT on my truck by gun point while fly fishing I can say a couple of things here. #1 not all tweekers have a cordless sawzall. #2 cutting a CAT of makes a LOT of noise. #3 the tweeker I caught at gun point was using a rachet and socket to take the clamps off quietly. Muffler shops weld mufflers and CAT's on all the time and have been, this isn't rocket science.

billgeo · 06-09-2020, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeNChelle

CATs are big money right now. factory ones are bringing $175 - $250.00 each at the scrap dealers. Aftermarket ones, (not a Genuine factory part) only getting $25 - $40. Factory ones have to pass a higher emissions test from the factory on the vehicle. Aftermarket only have to be built to a spec sheet. In our area the carry floor jacks and battery powered sawzalls and no car / truck is exempt. Imports are even a larger target.
Sorry this happened to you.

So my replacement will probably be aftermarket. If I attempt to make this one a bit tougher to get at maybe the creeps will be less apt to go to the effort. I am a dreamer.

Thanks MikeNChelle
(My wife's name is Michele also. a 1 l'er)

NC Roamer · 06-09-2020, 04:16 PM

The aftermarket route will be cheaper. Had to replace the CAT on a ‘98 Ranger and was shocked at what Ford wanted for a replacement. The dealership service writer took me aside and clued me in a local muffler shop that could do it for far less.

curver900 · 06-09-2020, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billgeo

Ah! weld it in. Thanks!!

you can weld it but they will just sawzall it off with a 20v reciprocating saw...

Vicr · 06-09-2020, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curver900

you can weld it but they will just sawzall it off with a 20v reciprocating saw...

Read post #9.

Crossingover · 06-10-2020, 09:58 AM

That's nothing. In my neck of the woods, outboard motors get stolen like candy from storage yards. And these are heavy, expensive units.

parallax · 06-10-2020, 04:22 PM

Cat clamp?

https://catclamp.com/

icr21801 · 06-20-2020, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billgeo

Ah! weld it in. Thanks!!

Won’t stop them. Most cats that are stolen are cut out with a cordless sawzall. Quicker to cut it than fight rusty nuts and bolts.

Colorado · 06-20-2020, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vicr

Call Ford and get the spec's on the CAT. Then call a muffler shop and see if they can source one and then have them install it. Have them weld it in rather than using clamps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by billgeo

Ah! weld it in. Thanks!!

Doesn’t matter whether you weld or clamp it, with a battery operated sawzall it’s gone in under 2 minutes. Unfortunately, thieves will always find a way...

Depending on how they took it, yes you can replace it using lap clamps. If they cut it out then there will be a bit more work to replacement.

Do you need it for emissions testing? If not just put a exhaust pipe in it’s place using lap clamps.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/133081167215

Dondevers · 06-20-2020, 01:12 PM

Problem with this is that the old converters had platinum in them. Their just ceramic now. Guess the thieves thought they were getting a bunch of precious metal to sell off.

TaftCoach · 06-20-2020, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dondevers

Problem with this is that the old converters had platinum in them. Their just ceramic now. Guess the thieves thought they were getting a bunch of precious metal to sell off.

Is there a market for used to replace the stolen ones? I'm dating myself here but I remember the days of T-tops and it became a giant circle. All the thefts created demand for used ones, the higher demand caused thieves to target them, which increased demand . . .

muckinfuss · 06-20-2020, 03:01 PM

I'm not sure what is meant by 'your community storage lot', but once an outdoor storage facility is found without cameras, you can expect revisiting events from time to time. If this is a homeowner association, or even if it's not, it would be wise to petition them for installation of inexpensive wireless cameras that are Google Home, Alexa etc. capable, or even Ring cameras, so the police reports mean something since you would have video to use for ID. Also, the insurance of the storage lot could be a resource for the deductible and
you can replace what was lost with same or better.

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