1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Stolen catalytic converter in london uk

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by Priusinlondon, Aug 24, 2018.

  1. MDMU

    MDMU New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2019
    13
    15
    0
    Location:
    London
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    ----UK----

    I think the forum has cut off any links you might have included. Perhaps you can copy and paste the video title if it's from YouTube?
     
    Data Daedalus likes this.
  2. Sam Dean

    Sam Dean Member

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2013
    255
    8
    0
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    thank you for being so very helpful - bless you


    i think this particular large bangle looking part was left behind by the thieves - so let's see....


    i found a breaker yard with a prius yesterday but the guy said i would have to come with my own tools and hi-viz jacket - but i don't have a clue about these things

    :(
     
  3. MDMU

    MDMU New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2019
    13
    15
    0
    Location:
    London
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    ----UK----
    Lamda / o2 sensor
    Thanks to Sam Dean I found this one on eBay
    eBay item number: 192584533583
    New Genuine WALKER Lambda Sensor Probe 250-24623 Top Quality

    It's up for £55 but they did it for £50 over the phone. Ask for Steve on 01217536466.
    Will see how it works once it's arrived and installed.

    Exhaust Strap
    What exactly is the benefit of adding the strap on top of the steel bars and the wire for the protection? Does it jam the reciprocal saw blade or a grinder disc or something else? Will be great if Data Daedalus or The Governor can shed some light.
     
    Data Daedalus likes this.
  4. Data Daedalus

    Data Daedalus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2013
    1,022
    1,182
    0
    Location:
    Wembley, London
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Apologies for the late response;
    The strap (and steel bars) foul the electric razor saw being used by the thieves to slice through the CAT pipes. They literally make the razor saw blade blunt, thereby preventing the saw from being capable of cutting anything, let alone the CAT pipes.

    This is the same idea used in the US designed CatStrap device.

    Just to be clear; The thieves are NOT using angle grinders or circular diamond tipped saws. Nothing so fanciful or expensive. Videos of them committing their dastardly crimes always show them with a Yellow coloured battery powered razor bladed saw. The cutting blade is small and thin - and obviously serrated, however, it is useless for cutting through hardened steel cables or bonded straps of kevlar. These blunt the blade instantaneously and render it practically useless - thwarting the theft of the target CAT.

    These pilfering gutter snipes are well aware of this, which is why upon spotting a target Prius, their first act is to drop to the knees and look under the vehicle to see if it has a protected or alarmed CAT.

    Let’s be clear. If the target vehicle has any form of security ON the CAT exhaust pipe, they’ll walk away immediately.
    They’re not entirely stupid; their master plan (a.k.a. Grand Theft CAT) entails slicing out that CAT from under your Prius in about a minute, while their colleague stands guard aggressively nearby, flexing his muscles and trying to look as menacing as possible.

    (A strategy which wouldn’t work if some aggrieved Local Hood Rat realised what they were doing, pulled a Glock on the wannabe hoodlums, and liberally wasted the bastards......but I digress...!!)

    Usually, they’ve sliced it off in one noisy minute - often unnoticed in the equally noisy street during the day, and they’re done.
    The Devils also dress like mechanics so they look official.

    They’re NOT going to waste time cutting through security cables while an irate crowd gathers to carry out a good old Wild West lynching by dangling them from the nearest street lamp. No siree! They’d rather move on to an easier target.

    Once they’ve got your CAT, they’ll scurry back to their car like the cowardly WEASELS they are, hastily stuffing the stolen CAT, Razor saw and the portable jack unit into their SWAG-MOBILE, and they’re off - chortling sardonically at the docility of London’s citizens who once again didn’t bother challenging them (mostly because nobody had a clue what they were up to anyway).

    With all the murders in the capital, you might think some Jack the Ripper obsessed psychopath out there might stumble upon them stealing for a change, and decide to go medieval on their miserable hides (or equally worthless putrid posteriors)! He’d stop their crime spree by.....um.....the ultimate HACK. They’d certainly end up with STAINED reputations....!!

    Yes, I’m still livid that they’ve been roaming free in Greater London for over 150 days, they’ve ripped off over 1,000 2nd gen Prii so far, and are STILL getting away with........Grand Theft Prius CAT.

    Sounds like they’ve got the KEYS to all of London, along with a special permit to block roads while they indulge themselves.

    It’s a good idea to install security once you’ve replaced your stolen CAT and repaired the accompanying o2 sensor cable vandalism, as sooner or later, they’ll be back again. Methinks they’re selling the stolen CATs in bulk (on the continent, transported out of the UK as scrap metal), so the more the merrier - and they’ll probably steal a few aftermarket CATs too to shore up their profits!

    You do not want to go through that hassle a 2nd time, believe me.


    iPad ? Pro
     
  5. DV26

    DV26 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2018
    14
    17
    0
    Location:
    Leicester, UK
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Excel
    I have been following this thread since about Dec/Jan and I'm sorry to hear that some of you have had your CAT stolen. I was thinking that it was all isolated to London...how wrong was I! I believe that my CAT was stolen while at work. Upon arrival, no issues with the car. I'm about to leave for lunch and the sound of a spitfire echos around the carpark! At first, I thought it was a blown exhaust. drove it back home and the following day decided to look underneath the car. To my surprise, the Cat was gone. It was detached from the manifold but then cut from the other side. Absolutely livid that some scumbag will cost me £1000+. The car is currently at Toyota waiting for a quote on the work. Insurance want to write the car off :(.
    Those who have installed a Cat which is not a Toyota approve part, have you seen a decrease in performance?
    Thanks
     
    Data Daedalus likes this.
  6. MDMU

    MDMU New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2019
    13
    15
    0
    Location:
    London
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    ----UK----
    Very sorry to hear about that. Where abouts are you? I guess it's only a matter of time before it becomes more widespread.

    I've had my cheap aftermarket replacement in for 5 days now and I haven't noticed any difference.

    One of the members said he's had his since December and he hasn't had any change in fuel mileage or performance. I will be driving a couple hundred of miles today so will get a better idea myself.

    I couldn't really think of any justification for getting a replacement from Toyota as not only will it cost more but it will be potentially more sought after buy thieves again.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    DV26 and Data Daedalus like this.
  7. Data Daedalus

    Data Daedalus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2013
    1,022
    1,182
    0
    Location:
    Wembley, London
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Nope! No discernible change in performance or MPG figures - and that’s using a Klarius CAT.

    I guess you don’t really have to opt for the over engineered Toyota Prius CAT with the pure Platinum, Palladium and Rhodium internal matrix costing well over £1,000+


    iPhone 6s +
     
    DV26 likes this.
  8. DV26

    DV26 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2018
    14
    17
    0
    Location:
    Leicester, UK
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Excel

    I was in Corby so it seems that the crime wave is slowly creeping up north!

    I've just had a phone call from Toyota to tell me its going to cost £1300. No way am I paying that much. looks like its an aftermarket one for me!

    Thanks for the help
     
    Data Daedalus likes this.
  9. DV26

    DV26 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2018
    14
    17
    0
    Location:
    Leicester, UK
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Excel

    It's good to know that there isn't much of a difference in performance. I think that was my main concern!

    Thanks!
     
    Data Daedalus likes this.
  10. Data Daedalus

    Data Daedalus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2013
    1,022
    1,182
    0
    Location:
    Wembley, London
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Mine too. In fact I thought insurance had installed an OEM CAT initially, based on the performance of the vehicle. In a short spate warmer weather in December, MPGs rose to 59.9 mpg at one point, before winter hit with a vengeance.

    Then I discovered it was a Klarius CAT system. No complaints whatsoever.

    I presently have 55.5mpg on the MFD, but lots of short journeys in literally below zero weather with heating online and demisting to boot will do that.

    I’m not worried.


    iPhone 6s +
     
    #230 Data Daedalus, Feb 6, 2019
    Last edited: Feb 6, 2019
  11. DV26

    DV26 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2018
    14
    17
    0
    Location:
    Leicester, UK
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Excel
    Wow that is amazing! I really have no issues with installing one of these aftermarket ones then. I struggle to get 53mpg on long runs (heavy foot) so it does seem promising.

    you've really nipped that concern in the bud! thanks again!
     
    Data Daedalus likes this.
  12. Data Daedalus

    Data Daedalus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2013
    1,022
    1,182
    0
    Location:
    Wembley, London
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    You should be okay with a Klarius CAT for sure. The temperatures went up this afternoon, with my Prius (a.k.a. The Spaceship) showing on the MFD, an external temperature of 12c on my commute home.
    Had my AC running on recirculate at a setting of 18c for the entire journey home, and despite not “driving Miss Daisy”.....(but rather, speed hypermiling), made it home with a not inconsiderate 56.2mpg on the MFD up from 55.5mpg this morning (and that’s with 264 miles so far from a fresh tank of fuel).
    I still have 7 tabs of fuel left out of 10 indicated on the fuel gauge.

    Judging from this, I’d say the vehicle is operating within design parameters on its newly installed non OEM CAT.


    iPad ? Pro
     
    #232 Data Daedalus, Feb 6, 2019
    Last edited: Feb 6, 2019
  13. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2018
    2,912
    1,494
    0
    Location:
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    55 mpg is fantastic. I’m guessing that’s UK gallons (4.54L), not US gallons (3.78L)?
     
    Data Daedalus likes this.
  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,470
    38,103
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Reading this on my phone, more limitted info in the avatars, I thought, hmm: it's not just England.

    But maybe this apple hasn't fallen too far from the tree, lol.
     
    DV26 and Data Daedalus like this.
  15. Data Daedalus

    Data Daedalus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2013
    1,022
    1,182
    0
    Location:
    Wembley, London
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Sorry, yes, that’s all UK mpg figures as I’m operating the vehicle commuting back and forth around the A406 in London week days

    I’d have a higher figure than this, but those frosty early morning starts complete with frost encrusted windscreen and side windows often necessitates firing up the HSD and using front and rear defrosting (temporarily on 24c front) to melt that ice while I simultaneously use a scraper. That just chews away at your mpg figures.

    I’m a certifiable energy conservation freak normally, keeping my Prius cabin at no more than 20c in winter when alone (a.k.a. minimal life support) even when temps are literally below zero - preferring instead to wrap myself in my winter puffer jacket (Spacesuit lookalike).....

    I’ve even turned off heating while waiting at traffic lights to save fuel, then turned it back on when I’m moving.
    Though I’ll admit to using AC in freezing weather to dehumidify the cabin - and it works a treat.
    London can be a real damp sponge sometimes!
    Energy usage in this mode is surprisingly negligible from an mpg point of view - and definitely worth it overall.


    iPad ? Pro
     
  16. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2018
    2,912
    1,494
    0
    Location:
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    That’s what I thought. They use the UK gallon in Canada, Australia and New Zealand also. That’s why you guys always seem to get better mileage than our US cars. You start with 20% more gas. ;)
     
    Data Daedalus likes this.
  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,470
    38,103
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    The only folks using imperial gallons in Canada are car salesmen: they love it for some reason. Love to quote Hwy miles per (imperial) gallon in particular.
     
    Data Daedalus likes this.
  18. HotRodH

    HotRodH New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2019
    2
    1
    0
    Location:
    NorthWest
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    ----UK----
    I've been hit over the weekend, in the North West, and the mechanic I took it to said it happens all the time, def not just a London problem. I've found some third party parts on ebay made by BM (item no 312402623211) and the hilariously-named Denso (item
    361535269840) will these do they job as well as the originals??
     
    Data Daedalus likes this.
  19. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2018
    2,912
    1,494
    0
    Location:
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    So how is your gas mileage calculated?
     
    Data Daedalus likes this.
  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,470
    38,103
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Liters per 100 kms, easy as well..., a pain in the butt actually:

    liters consumed per distance travelled, determine that ratio, then the liters that would be consumed at that ratio if the distance travelled was 100 kms. Confusing?

    upload_2019-2-6_15-7-45.png

    In the example, if you drove 400 kms, and refilling took 20 liters, your liters per 100 kms would be 5. Basically a ratio equation, to solve for the yellow box: 100x20/400=5.
     
    Data Daedalus likes this.