GEN2 TC CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFTS?

[windguy]

Not sure if this topic has already been discussed but it seems timely.

Theft of cat converters is turning into a sport here in Southern CA.

 

Local police blotter in the newspaper and Nextdoor app has a constant stream of reported thefts, mostly from Prius (has two cats) and late model Honda's along with higher profile vehicles like pick-ups with easy access.

 

Local police just busted a group that had a floor jack, battery powered sawzalls, and a bunch of stolen cats. Rat bastards need to rot in hell as far as I'm concerned.

 

When these cats were first stolen ten or more years ago, I was told they use tools to unbolt and remove. Theft prevention was to weld the bolts shut.

Now the perps use battery sawzalls and just hack it out in a few minutes or less using a floor jack to prop up the car. It's a quick and damaging process.

 

Local police offer a free engraving program to mark up the cat, which is supposed to be a deterrent, but I'm not convinced it is and enough of a measure. Seems too passive to work.

 

According to the link below, the replacement cost is estimated to be between $2,387 and $2,421. Not sure if this is a realistic ballpark figure. Your out of pocket is your insurance deductible and you hope the parts are available. Maybe it's better to take some pro-active measures to prevent it from happening and avoid the hassle. Not sure?

 

https://repairpal.com/estimator/ford/transit-connect/catalytic-converter-replacement-cost

 

Questions:

- Has anyone have their cat stolen from their TC or know of other TC owners it's happened to?

- Is this a problem in your area?

- Should that be a concern to us TC owners, meaning is it easy to steal on this vehicle? Perhaps the mechanics on the forum can weigh in on that.

- Has anyone taken any security measures or considered them?

 

My TC sits in the garage most of the time so it's safe at the house but leaving it parked at the beach for a few hours or the Home Depot parking lot may be a vulnerability.

Wondering what others are thinking. Thanks!

5 Ways to Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft

https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/loans/auto-loans/5-ways-to-foil-catalytic-converter-thieves

 

 

Edited August 7, 2021 by windguy

[Double Nickels]

4 hours ago, windguy said:

free engraving program to mark up the cat,

 

 

That won't work. Thieves will still cut it off.  

 

CHP needs to track the thieves to the buyer. Then watch the buyer to see who he buys from. Then you bust the whole lot of them.  

 

4 hours ago, windguy said:

Prius (has two cats) and late model Honda's 

 

 

Thieves go after certain cars.  Not any car at random.  Commercial trucks are usually targeted for contents.  Tools.  Copper pipe. Copper wire.  Ladders.  They usually look for a tradesman, with a service vehicle, loaded down with goodies.  

 

Transit Connects are usually targeted like commercial pickup trucks.  Not for the cats.  Nobody breaks into a car for the baby seats.  

 

4 hours ago, windguy said:

My TC sits in the garage most of the time so it's safe at the house but leaving it parked at the beach for a few hours or the Home Depot parking lot may be a vulnerability.

Wondering what others are thinking. Thanks!

 

Unfortunately, most public places are not safe. Don't leave anything in plain view. Don't leave valuables.  In big cities, thieves are known to break autoglass as they go down a row of parked cars. It's a team sport. One guy goes down a row of cars, breaking every window. Then his friends follow, grabbing whatever they find.  Open the glove box, look under the seats, take the change.  Some cars have nothing taken, but the window still got broken. 

 

[sKiZo]

Be proactive and replace your cat with a "cat tester" pipe ...  ;-}

 

 

[G B L]

The converter on the 2.5 and 2.0 non turbo TC is part of the exhaust header The location precludes any body with a saws all  and a floor jack being able to get any where near it, sleep tight!

I suspect the 1.6 turbo is similar but I have not checked it out.

Edited August 24, 2021 by G B L

[windguy]

34 minutes ago, G B L said:

The converter on the 2.5 and 2.0 non turbo TC is part of the exhaust header The location precludes any body with a saws all  and a floor jack being able to get any where near it, sleep tight!

I suspect the 1.6 turbo is similar but I have not checked it out.

 

Thanks GBL - that's exactly what I needed to know from a mechanic guru.

Now I'll have to find something else to obsess about!  ?

[Double Nickels]

Not all catalytic converter are the same.  Some have more platinum, rhodium, and palladium.  Thieves know this. That's why only certain cars targeted.  

[G B L]

On 8/24/2021 at 10:40 PM, Double Nickels said:

Some have more platinum, rhodium, and palladium.  Thieves know this. That's why only certain cars targeted.  

That is absolutely correct. I am not sure what is in the converter but Ford buried it far enough in the TC to make the converter thief steal the whole vehicle so they would have enough time to get the converter.

You folks with the !.6 turbo need to be a little more nervous!

[Don Ridley]

The catalytic converter on the 1.6L is difficult to access. The vehicles are so uncommon I doubt thieves know how to steal them (if it's possible). They probably don't even know the TC can have different engines. 

 

Next time I'm under the van I'll take a good look.

 

 

[G B L]

On 8/27/2021 at 10:54 AM, Don Ridley said:

The catalytic converter on the 1.6L is difficult to access

It is hard enough so they won't be stolen but much easier to change compared to the 2.5 if that becomes necessary.

[Timbo]

On 8/23/2021 at 8:38 PM, G B L said:

The converter on the 2.5 and 2.0 non turbo TC is part of the exhaust header

The location precludes any body with a saws all and a floor jack being able to get any where near it, sleep tight!

 

 

Well this is a big relief to hear!  Thanks for the info!  ?

 

My neighbor's converter was just taken off his Honda van, right out front in the street, so it's starting to hit close to home.  

I was wondering if I should get some sort of guard, but it looks like I can skip it.  

[Fifty150]

Some thief cut a catalytic converter off my F-150.

[windguy]

3 hours ago, Fifty150 said:

Some thief cut a catalytic converter off my F-150.

 

Bummer. Easy pickings on a pickup. Good luck with that. 

 

Interesting article linked below regarding cat thefts.

 

https://thehustle.co/why-thieves-love-to-steal-catalytic-converters/

 

[G B L]

That  is not the best news, I guess that it is another thing that we will have to start worrying about.  The California converters are made to a higher standard and are worth more money.  

You have had that truck for along time do you still have the right insurance to help you cover it?

[Fifty150]

Just the converters and oxygen sensors are over $5,000.  Then there are always other issues when a car goes into the shop.  Almost every repair comes in over the quote.  No repairs ever complete under the quote, and the mechanic refunds money to the insurance company.  The insurance company tried to declare a total loss for the vehicle.    The value on an 07 pickup truck, depending on condition, is between $7,000 - $8,000.  Insurance companies want to declare total loss if the repair is within 70% to 80% of the value.  There was no way I could accept a payment of the repair estimate, minus my deductible.  The insurance would have paid me about half of what the car was worth.  I had several civil discussions with various members of the insurance company.  Currently, they are sending a check to my mechanic.  Then parts will be ordered.  Then work will begin.  The claim is left open, in the event that the mechanic needs more money.  

 

[G B L]

With the current price of used trucks you will get the truck repaired , just a huge pain in the ass.

Too bad You are in California.  Did they get both converters?

It would be much cheaper here.

Keep us posted.  Do you have any pictures. Are they going to put on some protection?

 

 

 

[Fifty150]

There's the real world market price of a vehicle.  If my truck was intact, what I could reasonably get from a private party sale.  Then there is the book value, which is lower.  At times, the book value could be higher than what you could sell it for in the real world.  Then, you have the insurance company who will declare a total loss if the repair estimate is 70% of the book value.  

 

2 California catalytic converters which are more expensive.  4 sensors.   Heat shields.  Cat-back exhaust system.  And a damaged tailgate lock.  

 

It doesn't sound like much.  Considering that the sensors are plug & play parts, the entire exhaust system from the exhaust manifold back is bolt-on, and replacing a lock cylinder is just a parts swap.