Cat Converter Theft

[Hunt Stoddard]

Beware, there is a rash of catalytic converter theft going around. They will cut it out from the bottom of your car with a battery powered reciprocating saw in just a minute or two (as they did to my truck). They prefer high cars/trucks they can get under quickly and cut out the connector flanges as well, so you'll need expensive exhaust system repair to fix it. Park in well lit and trafficked places. Don't leave your car parked in one place for long periods.

[taropatch]

Does your car continue to run after they cut it out? Does the car sound different? I haven't looked under the car lately.

[kalakoa]

Your car will suddenly be very, very loud.

The engine is typically designed to work against the backpressure of the exhaust system; with the catalytic converter removed (and thus, no muffler) there can be some damage.

[birdmove]

There is a component in these that is worth money...platinum. That must be the reason. When I worked in Washington State repairing the big rigs, we used to be able to replace a muffler, say on a Kenworth, with a standard 5" inlet and outlet unit. They were cheap. We sold them for like $60.00. A local used truck dealership had us replace lots of them if they even looked ratty. Then the law changed. If a truck came with a cat from the factory, you must replace it with a cat. Imagine the reaction from the used dealer when the $60 cheap muffler changed into 1 $3000.00 cat. converter.

Jon in Keaau/HPP

[Hunt Stoddard]

Yes, it's the platinum, and/or other catalytic metals that they're after, but they only get from $25 to $100 dollars selling them to recyclers. Whether here or on the mainland, I don't know, and why law enforcement doesn't crack down on the recyclers (receiving stolen goods), I don't know. All I know is that the puny amount their efforts get them can easily cost a car owner $1000 to repair, especially if you go with an OEM converter. Aftermarket ones can be much cheaper. I'm thinking of just having a pipe welded in its place, since there are no emission checks here (though I have heard that it's technically against federal law to remove your cat).

[jlgerk]

quote:

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Originally posted by Hunt Stoddard

I'm thinking of just having a pipe welded in its place, since there are no emission checks here (though I have heard that it's technically against federal law to remove your cat).

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.
So, how about the thiefs also get charged with that Federal Offence ?

[pahoated]

Sorry to hear about the theft. It seems to be part of the "foraging" and "metal recycling" movement lifestyle. The platinum in a cat converter is worth about $300, if recovered. The cost of a new catalytic converter is not so much the amount of platinum and pollonium, it's the fabrication of the honeycomb mesh that holds the metal. The salvage sale price is about $25 to $100, the salvage place takes the honeycomb out and throws the rest into the iron pile. The salvage place can sell it for a couple hundred dollars to a recovery place, which is still a large profit. The converter has soft muffler iron on each side, easily cut, the bolts can be removed later and it looks like legitimate salvage. A quick look on craigslist shows at least 3 salvage places in Kea'au that buy cat converters, and a few others on the BI, probably no questions asked. There are plenty of videos on Youtube about how to remove cat converters quickly, how to pull the honeycomb mesh out and even some very dangerous extraction methods. Fifty bucks will buy a cut gram of meth, enough for a day or two of the Hawaiian ICE lifestyle.

http://honolulu.craigslist.org/big/ptd/3807265812.html
http://honolulu.craigslist.org/big/wan/3781609814.html
http://honolulu.craigslist.org/big/pts/3720774449.html
http://honolulu.craigslist.org/big/wan/3709308378.html
http://honolulu.craigslist.org/big/wan/3678948735.html
http://honolulu.craigslist.org/big/wan/3717157207.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYfUNXUDPqo
How to get platinum out of catalytic converter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJPSYb6xOBo
How to Scrap Catalytic Converters

"This island Hawaii on this island Earth"

[Hunt Stoddard]

Wow, I had no idea it was so easy to sell your cat converter. I wonder why the cops don't do anything when some of these salvage places are obviously receiving stolen property. Maybe if there was some stipulation that the converters had to be coupled with a salvaged car VIN?

[Hunt Stoddard]

"So, how about the thiefs also get charged with that Federal Offence ?"

Sounds like a plan to me.

[Bullwinkle]

How is the law in Hawaii on tampering with smog systems?. I see lots of cars out of tune or burning oil on the road.....

How much grief could one come to if you were to replace the expensive missing cat with an appropriate length of pipe and a pair of flanges?

I Have an old beater brit import that would do much better without the back pressure as well....