View Full Version : Catalytic Converter Stolen
eddiememphis
12-11-2022, 14:46
Assholes got me.
'95 Tacoma. Sliced it clean and snipped off the O2 sensor. No idea when, I last drove it Wednesday.
Started up it today and shut it right back off. I knew what happened immediately.
It looks like I can just get a straight pipe, some couplers and clamps to fix it for now. I just got tags so emissions isn't due for another year. Last few times I got emissions, they didn't look under it with the big mirror so if it runs clean enough, that may end up a permanent fix.
Still...
It pisses me off.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Miscellaneous/i-mXcr9fq/0/5e27016c/M/2022121113450157--273056591264496054-M.jpg
.455_Hunter
12-11-2022, 15:06
Fuckers...
I am sorry this happened to you.
An event necessitating a visit from the coroner's van might be the only way some of them will change their ways.
That sucks. What area of town?
I think you might be good for two years for emissions?..
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Wolfshoon
12-11-2022, 16:06
May or may not run properly without the cat. Do you have dual oxy sensors on each pipe, before and after the cat? If it is just a single a “test pipe” will work fine, but I have the dual o2 sensor setup and it needs to see the cat doing it’s work orit throws a diag code.
Also, thanks to our state gov and polis, colorado is now a CARB compliant state for vehicle emissions as of jan first 2021. Basically means we have to follow California emissions standards and that drives replacement catalytic converts to 2-3 times normal price. Auto suppliers will not ship normal cats to us anymore, only the expensive CARB crap.
eddiememphis
12-11-2022, 16:17
Parker & Quincy.
I am in the 2nd year of emissions- didn't need it this year. For sure next. Unless I get out of Denver.
It's just one sensor, I believe. Trying to remember. I'll weld a bung in the new pipe if I need to keep the light off. I think it's the two stud type, not the threaded 18mm type.
The whole thing leaves me frustrated. I really need to get out of this condo and find a house with a garage.
As far as killing the motherfuckers, I don't think I could, legally. They weren't in my condo. They weren't in the truck. Had I opened the living room window that looks down on the parking lot and made a few holes in the dipshits, I think I'd be looking at a lot more monetary outlay than a new cat. Lawyers is 'spensive!
If I caught someone doing that to my truck.....
eddiememphis
12-11-2022, 16:45
Plus, I don't own any guns.
You hear me, ATF? ZERO guns in this household.
I have a 97 4runner and got hit a few years ago. I put in a straight pipe. Runs fine, but the check engine light is on most of the time.
Living in a rural area I'm probably at low risk, but I often go to Longmont, and worse, to the big ugly city. We use an electric fence around the house to deter bears. I'm toying with the idea of using a 12V RV battery w/solar charger to build a grid of hanging hot wires that stand off from the vehicle metal. A loop around the cat would be insulated with hot wires hanging at 6 inch intervals.
The electric controller sends a 4.5-6 KV pulse every one second. It's not something you want to encounter again. To deter a determined thief from simply cutting the insulated loop wire, I'd use an insulated steel cable anchored to the frame and to the insulated hot wire loop. A plus is that when you hear someone screaming from under the truck, there's opportunity to engage in some real fun! :)
That year may only have a single o2 per bank, it will be needed to run right, but it won't care if the cat isn't there. If it has 2 sensors per bank, the ones after the cat don't matter, except to monitor the cat. Any of them missing will likely throw a code.
I would drive that loud sum' bitch to somewhere where CARB isn't in place and have it repaired.
EDIT: you can drive it around and no damage should occur. The PCM should default to a neutral state where you burn more dead dinosaurs and get less power doing so. As long as there isn't another serious underlying condition, you're in the clear.
SideShow Bob
12-11-2022, 22:10
Use a cat converter test pipe ( flex pipe & clamps) for now .
It may run funky without the downstream O2 sensor. If you think it will pass emissions later, hit a drive by emissions check station a couple of times about 3 months before your registration is due. Then when the registration renewal shows up you will know if the cat needs replaced or not. The renewal will state if roadside emissions passed or if you need to go in for further testing.
eddiememphis
12-11-2022, 22:44
I was a mechanic for a decade so I know how these things work.
I worked for a slimebag Russian for a bit and all his used car buddies would bring their auction junk over to make sure they passed emissions. Jumping the check engine light over to the ABS light, dumping 2 gallons of denatured alcohol from Home Depot in an empty tank, removing the cat and using a sledge to knock the catalysts out... I have seen quite a few cheats.
What pisses me off is it was- IS- a sweet little truck.
1995 Tacoma SR5, 2wd short bed. 160k miles. I constantly get stopped, asking if I want to sell it. "They don't make 'em like that any more" I hear everywhere I go.
Dad bought it used in '97 from Stevinson. It is a great runabout. A very handy little truck. If you need to haul stuff, a light load, it is great.
When he died, everyone wanted it but I bought it from the estate. I have wanted to restore it but with no garage and two struggling businesses and the incessant onslaught of time and every other shitty excuse I can come up with I haven't been able to treat it as it deserves.
So wah wah, woe is me. I got hit by the crime wave and it sucks.
I am moving to Bailey's place in Okahomie. Whether he likes it or not.
ruthabagah
12-12-2022, 11:51
I hate thieves… just a heads up that some companies are now making “cat protections” that looks like skid plates for most truck or suv. It not cheap, but still cheaper than replace a catalytic converters.
I saw a truck a while back, the dipshits got about 2/3 way through the pipe on both ends before stopping. Problem was, they were cutting the resonator out instead.
battlemidget
12-12-2022, 16:34
Man that sucks.
Some thieving cocksucker hacked the converter on my old F250 about a year ago. Now it's due for emissions, and I'm seriously debating whether to repair it or send it of as a parts truck on Craigslist. 89 F250 with about 190K, needs cat and tires, body's pretty rough after I loaned it to a friend and he got it really stuck on a 4WD road and basically didn't mis a tree or rock on the way to getting it unstuck. I was due for a newer truck anyway, and I can't see putting $1500 into a truck that would be worth maybe that much...
My brother in law had the Catalytic converter stolen off of his 2001 Jeep Cherokee in October... he lives in Reunion at Tower Road and 104th. These assholes are all over the state.
wctriumph
12-16-2022, 16:28
My brother works at a Walmart in CA. His F250 had the cat stolen in the parking lot. They make the employees park in a back part of the lot. The next day he drove his Honda Accord to work and the cat was stolen too.
No one else’s car was bothered. Then a week later over 60 vehicles were hit, not just employees. Now they have roving security driving constantly through the lots.
I guess I have been lucky so far.
eddiememphis
12-17-2022, 10:14
This morning as I was putting on my shoes I see a guy leaving the building across the parking lot.
He gets in his Honda Element and starts it. It's VERY loud. He jumps out and starts looking under it.
Looks like they got another one.
I am going to put a camera in the loft window facing the lot. Any suggestions on what type I should look for?
Tweakers gunna tweak. Glad I'm not on the east slope.
Camera: Look into blue iris. Then you can hook just about anything into it, even a webcam. IF you want something with major zoom power, SUNBA are the best value (amazon). You would need a POE injector or a POE switch to power it, run a network cable out to where it is, that combines data and power (no outlet needed).
Cat thefts: If anyone has sufficient insurance coverage, maybe consider a claim... Not saying in this case, but certain trucks can exceed $5k in damage when they do this crap.
They're gonna roll up in a stolen car to do the stealing, sadly a camera won't be much help unless you catch em live and deliver a beat down.
Unless you just want to get some popcorn and watch the replays.
Are people stealing these things "to order" (for a specific vehicle) or are there recycling places that will just buy any catalytic converter regardless of where it came from?
(I'm obviously clueless other than reading threads about them getting stolen)
Are people stealing these things "to order" (for a specific vehicle) or are there recycling places that will just buy any catalytic converter regardless of where it came from?
(I'm obviously clueless other than reading threads about them getting stolen)
I might be wrong and I have no idea how or where they are disposing of them but I think they?re doing it for the precious metals inside of them. Whatever they?re made of is what makes them expensive in the first place.
eddiememphis
12-25-2022, 16:22
I might be wrong and I have no idea how or where they are disposing of them but I think they?re doing it for the precious metals inside of them. Whatever they?re made of is what makes them expensive in the first place.
I have heard and read the same thing.
https://www.cars.com/articles/whats-a-catalytic-converter-and-why-do-people-steal-them-446861/
Platinum, rhodium and palladium. Harvesting and purifying the metals is a complicated process involving many steps and chemicals so it would need to be a large scale operation. My guess is it takes place in Mexico where such an operation is easier.
I saw something on TV where Bouder Police are offering a serial numbered sticker (peel-off), that is registered to your vehicle. You just stick it on your converter, which is dirty, and the thief will cower away once he sees it.
Right! Thats the ticket!
I saw something on TV where Bouder Police are offering a serial numbered sticker (peel-off), that is registered to your vehicle. You just stick it on your converter, which is dirty, and the thief will cower away once he sees it.
Right! Thats the ticket!
Seems it would have been much easier to just make a law against stealing the converters. If stealing catalysts was illegal then obviously nobody would steal them.
eddiememphis
12-25-2022, 17:25
I saw something on TV where Bouder Police are offering a serial numbered sticker (peel-off), that is registered to your vehicle. You just stick it on your converter, which is dirty, and the thief will cower away once he sees it.
Right! Thats the ticket!
If they really cared they would pass a law making theft illegal.
eddiememphis
12-25-2022, 17:26
Seems it would have been much easier to just make a law against stealing the converters. If stealing catalysts was illegal then obviously nobody would steal them.
Simultaneous post. Great minds...
.455_Hunter
12-25-2022, 17:52
I saw something on TV where Bouder Police are offering a serial numbered sticker (peel-off), that is registered to your vehicle. You just stick it on your converter, which is dirty, and the thief will cower away once he sees it.
Right! Thats the ticket!
I believe there is an acid process involved with the sticker to make the etching permanent. But yes, the concept that simply marking a catalytic converter makes it less desirable on the established criminal market is fanciful. It's just a way to let liberals feel like they are doing something without actually doing anything.
I believe there is an acid process involved with the sticker to make the etching permanent. But yes, the concept that simply marking a catalytic converter makes it less desirable on the established criminal market is fanciful. It's just a way to let liberals feel like they are doing something without actually doing anything.
This, it’s an etching that becomes activated as the cat heats up-CSP has teamed up with multiple agencies to provide the kits for free. The number is then entered into a data base le can access if any cats are recovered with the etching. I have a friend that took advantage of the giveaway that Thornton PD/CSP we’re doing earlier this year.
.455_Hunter
12-25-2022, 19:15
The number is then entered into a data base le can access if any cats are recovered with the etching.
The operative statement being "if any cats are recovered".
I have a VIN on my vehicle. The chances of me getting it back if it?s stolen are slim. The chances of having my numbered catalyst returned to me are probably slim to none.
hollohas
12-26-2022, 20:56
Yeah. The serial number on the cat is dumb.
There are tons of Ring videos of people stealing cats with clear license plates recorded that get reported to authorities. They don't seem to care at all. There seems to be ZERO effort to actually apprehend these thieves.
Making theft illegal obviously doesn't do anything to help. What would help is instant punishment when caught in the act. Nobody respects property anymore because people committing property crimes don't get punished.
The only way to make this go away is to prohibit the recycling places from accepting cats without a trail. There is no way currently make a feasible trail.
I only got $15 for a cat that had a broken stud that I legitimately replaced. I'm in the wrong business apparently
BushMasterBoy
12-27-2022, 10:56
Car alarms? I remember the 1980's, there was a system called Viper! It would alarm, if you even touched the car.
Viper is a brand manufactured by DEI (they also make Clifford and some others. Any of them can be setup to be hyper sensitive where they just become a nuisance
Yeah. The serial number on the cat is dumb.
There are tons of Ring videos of people stealing cats with clear license plates recorded that get reported to authorities. They don't seem to care at all. There seems to be ZERO effort to actually apprehend these thieves.
Making theft illegal obviously doesn't do anything to help. What would help is instant punishment when caught in the act. Nobody respects property anymore because people committing property crimes don't get punished.
They dont even solve most of the murders and missing children cases. They're not gonna spring into action for some car parts.
eddiememphis
02-15-2023, 09:12
https://www.foxnews.com/us/oscar-mayer-wienermobile-victim-catalytic-converter-theft-during-las-vegas
The iconic Oscar Mayer Wienermobile was hit by thieves at some point Thursday night while located in the parking lot of the Sonesta Suites on Paradise Road in Las Vegas.
No one is immune and all thieves are assholes, although this one did make me smile. That takes some balls. And you know they were laughing about it afterwards.
92975
colorider
02-15-2023, 11:47
https://www.foxnews.com/us/oscar-mayer-wienermobile-victim-catalytic-converter-theft-during-las-vegas
The iconic Oscar Mayer Wienermobile was hit by thieves at some point Thursday night while located in the parking lot of the Sonesta Suites on Paradise Road in Las Vegas.
No one is immune and all thieves are assholes, although this one did make me smile. That takes some balls. And you know they were laughing about it afterwards.
92975
Circumcised the Wienermobile.
BushMasterBoy
02-15-2023, 12:54
Electric fence charger wired to cat converter could stop it. But some meth head will have a heart attack. AITA
This is the correct solution
https://youtube.com/shorts/lAT67wIZ8tk?feature=share3
hollohas
02-15-2023, 13:11
You can apply to be a Weinermobile driver (aka Hotdogger). They have several of them. Each driver hired gets to drive it around the country to events for a 1 year assignment. It pays like $37k and includes per diem.
kidicarus13
02-15-2023, 14:11
For those that wish to apply to be a Hotdogger...9297692977
Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk
eddiememphis
02-15-2023, 19:04
They'll hire anyone without regard to race, gender, blah blah but you have to be a college graduate.
They are prejudiced against the poor and the stupid.
I am calling for a boycott.
SideShow Bob
02-15-2023, 19:11
92984
Saw one trucking south on I-25 a few years ago….
hollohas
02-15-2023, 21:59
College grad to drive a Weiner and get paid $37k? Ha!
buffalobo
02-16-2023, 09:10
Link to story, thief won the stupid game, got his stupid prize.
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-02-15/catalytic-converter-theft-death-los-angeles-county
If you're unarmed, you are a victim.
Link to story, thief won the stupid game, got his stupid prize.
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-02-15/catalytic-converter-theft-death-los-angeles-county
If you're unarmed, you are a victim.
Saw a video of ems doing compressions on dude.
Oops
kidicarus13
02-16-2023, 12:55
So much for... "It's only a property crime. He didn't deserve to die for it."
College grad to drive a Weiner and get paid $37k? Ha!
That's a step up for an art major. "Welcome to Burger King" or a Weiner Master is about as good as it gets.
Circumcised the Wienermobile.
I relish the thought they can mustard the energy and get off their bun to ketchup to the thief.
leightoncash
02-18-2023, 09:42
I relish the thought they can mustard the energy and get off their bun to ketchup to the thief.
Bravo!
theGinsue
02-18-2023, 11:49
I relish the thought they can mustard the energy and get off their bun to ketchup to the thief.
I see what you did there and it's a beautiful thing.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.