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Help with Catalytic Converter Problem

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by pioneer06a, Mar 5, 2021.

  1. pioneer06a

    pioneer06a New Member

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    2005 Prius
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    ----USA----
    Hi. Someone stole catalytic converter from 2005 Prius infront of my house an CA and now I can't drive the car. More importantly it is not covered by the insurance as well and is costing around 3000$ with shipment date of July 2022 from Toyota OEM. I am not sure what parts they stole and therefore, after a friend's advice i took some pictures today by going under the vehicle for inspection. Can someone have a look at the pictures and tell me what exactly did they stole? that would be a great help since I can't pay that much money for a car I bought for 6000$ from Monterey CA.
     
  2. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    exhaust.jpg
    Here's a diagram of your exhaust system. The section circled in red is what was stolen- the two catalytic converters. California will only allow an OE replacement- the entire assembly on the left. Don't have any good advice for you, even used cats are going for crazy $$ on ebay. Not sure if any repair shop would consider installing an aftermarket cat as a temporary repair or if you have to sell it.
     
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  3. audiodave

    audiodave Active Member

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    I had a aftermarket system sent to a friend out of state and he sent it to me. I installed it. The smog place I use dosen't look under the car. It's been 3 times now.
    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  4. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    This give hope to people in California...
     
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  5. blaisep

    blaisep Junior Member

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    2008 Prius
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    I'm about to recycle my old cat, from my 2008, and I'm in Los Altos, let's talk. DM me or email me ( blaise at gmail )
     
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  6. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    what i thot most places do not look its a pain in their azz the car passes the sniffer tail test on with the show.. feks sakes . in my county in NC no emissions my 120 converters just fine or a str8 pipe w bung for 02 (lite will go off )...3K repair move or buy something else.. i couldnt move to states w these laws
     
  7. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Looks like the laws are working.
     
  8. audiodave

    audiodave Active Member

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    No sniffer test. Only hooked up to the computer.
    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  9. 04PriusSD

    04PriusSD New Member

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    If you need to recondition a cat to pass smog in CA, I know exactly how to do it. This method has worked for four years and two smog checks for me. Send me a PM and I can help.
     
  10. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Lol... probably putting a bunch of chemicals in the engine right? Or maybe soaking the cat in a bucket?

    Why not just share what you know rather than make it difficult for people reading here?

    There's 30+ videos on YouTube offering the same thing you're offering, but they actually tell you rather than making you contact them personally.
     
  11. 04PriusSD

    04PriusSD New Member

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    Yikes, tough guy. Turkey fryer, oxalic and citric acid, distilled water, 180 degrees, 8 hours. Works like a charm.
    Clean cat, no check engine for months now. Passed CA smog. 209K on the clock and counting.
     
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  12. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Nice, that's almost like a cat cooking recipe... :) Very valuable information. The one time I tried it I did hot tap water in a 5 gallon bucket with Dawn dish soap for 24 hours and it barely worked, mostly just turned all the black stuff white. But your recipe sounds way better than that! Very much appreciated.
     
  13. 04PriusSD

    04PriusSD New Member

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    It works, cleaned the metal amazingly well. There is a bounty of information out there on this. You also must use distilled water. It's simple ingredients one from the canning aisle in the grocery store and oxalyic acid from the woodworking store. I had the complete breakdown of ratios of oxalyic to citric acid, it's not much at all but man oh man does it work. I did it with cold water the first time and heating it is definitely the key.
     
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