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Just curious if my catalytic converter was stolen...

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by johnpriusowner, Jun 2, 2017.

  1. johnpriusowner

    johnpriusowner New Member

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    So its not there... but is it possible it fell off? due to an improper installation of it... Im leaning towards stolen...
     
    #1 johnpriusowner, Jun 2, 2017
  2. johnpriusowner

    johnpriusowner New Member

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    Also.. any better deals than 350 for a new one?
     
    #2 johnpriusowner, Jun 2, 2017
  3. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    You would have heard it if it fell off while driving or upon start up you should have looked under the car before driving off.

    Edit: also there are two of them.
     
    #3 fotomoto, Jun 2, 2017
  4. johnpriusowner

    johnpriusowner New Member

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    I drove it for all of 10 seconds before I pulled over and looked... so it would of had to have been the day before. It is possible.. I guess that when driving it around in it the day before I didn't notice, 1 it falling off, 2 it dragging because of the oxygen sensor, and 3 my engine light coming on

    but I think its more probable someone sawed it off... also yes they are both gone...
     
    #4 johnpriusowner, Jun 2, 2017
  5. johnpriusowner

    johnpriusowner New Member

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    also found one for 250... still massively annoying
     
    #5 johnpriusowner, Jun 2, 2017
  6. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Umm, yeah they were stolen. Only $$$$ factory OEM cats will pass inspection, not aftermarket. Gotta' luv Cali.
     
    #6 fotomoto, Jun 2, 2017
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  7. johnpriusowner

    johnpriusowner New Member

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    my diesel truck was inspected and all they did was scan it... is there something I should know? as in will they jack my car up and look?
     
    #7 johnpriusowner, Jun 2, 2017
  8. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Reputable companies will not even ship to a CA or NY address.
     
    #8 JimboPalmer, Jun 2, 2017
  9. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Sounds like some bad luck :(

    Which part of the state are you in so us locals can avoid feeding the black market for stolen cats.

    On a positive note (you still have a battery!!), appears there are people stealing whole battery packs now.. the fix being to remove and replace your OEM bolts with 'security bolts' : Prius Security Battery Bolts

    Don't hink changing out the bolts will help once they have the proper 'bit', or they could just cut them off the same way they did with your cat.
     
    #9 SFO, Jun 3, 2017
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  10. johnpriusowner

    johnpriusowner New Member

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    im in orange county... I think my car has a security system right? they would have to disable that first. which I thought was hard unless its operated by the 12v battery... never checked. but Im definitely trying to figure out better antitheft measures for my car now. anyone know of aftermarket systems that can be added to the factory system?
     
    #10 johnpriusowner, Jun 3, 2017
  11. johnpriusowner

    johnpriusowner New Member

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    well I found the part on eBay... chose to go with eastern catalytic.... unless theres a reason not too...
     
    #11 johnpriusowner, Jun 3, 2017
  12. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I know someone that bought one from eBay, probably didn't seal that well, much louder than stock. And illegal in California
     
    #12 JC91006, Jun 3, 2017
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  13. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Would check on the return policy just in case.
     
    #13 SFO, Jun 3, 2017
  14. johnpriusowner

    johnpriusowner New Member

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    14 day... I kind of figured it would be louder... the one I'm buying isn't one piece so I doubt its going to be as quiet... but its cheap and no one will steal it. hopefully
     
    #14 johnpriusowner, Jun 3, 2017
  15. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    And probably won't pass smog for registration
     
    #15 JC91006, Jun 3, 2017
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  16. bhtooefr

    bhtooefr Senior Member

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    If there's a motion sensor, it might detect the car being lifted/dropped or the sawzall's vibrations. Otherwise, factory security systems tend to only detect doors being forced open and the like.

    There are some cages that can be welded around the cat, although they make service quite a bit harder.
     
    #16 bhtooefr, Jun 3, 2017
  17. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    Is this a crime that's effecting all sorts of cars, or is it specifically Priuses being targeted? Bloody annoying!
     
    #17 uart, Jun 3, 2017
  18. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    All kinds, and for years now. Besides modern cars, and vehicles with a higher profile (SUVs, Trucks, etc), some of the older/larger European (Mercedes and BMW) cars get hit hard, as they had bigger cats with more metal value for recycling.

    Not sure why one would target a Prius unless they know they can sell the whole piece to someone in CA or NY for a song.

    Reminds me of people stealing airbags.
     
    #18 SFO, Jun 3, 2017
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