Catalytic Converters: Thieves target the pod of precious metal

Posted Feb 16th 2008 9:01AM by Michael Harley
Filed under: Garage, Maintenance, SUVs, Trucks/Pickups

Bulging in the exhaust system like a rabbit deep in the belly of a boa, the catalytic converter cleans engine fumes before they are released into the air. To the inexperienced, the oversized metal cylinder looks rather uninteresting. To a thief, it is a pod of precious metal worth nearly $200 on the black market.

Catalytic converters are loaded with small amounts of precious metals including platinum, palladium and rhodium. When combined with hot exhaust gasses, the metals chemically react to detoxify the pollutants (this all happens without any trip to a Malibu clinic). All the average Joe really needs to know is that every car and truck is supposed to have one.

This low-lying fruit for the criminals hangs within easy reach under many sport-utility vehicles. Sitting taller than your average passenger car, their cats are easy to steal, and often don't even require the vehicle to be lifted for access. According to police, the Toyota 4Runner and Kia Sportage are the running favorites.

Unless it is your normal dwelling, there is no need to sleep underneath your vehicle with a shotgun; innovative consumers have found that spot-welding the catalytic converter to the rest of the exhaust system has proven to be an effective deterrent.

From Autoblog

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/16/c...recious-metal/

 

ya i've been hearing that lately. it's also my new hobby. anyone need a cat?

 

Not even remotely funny.

 

interesting do most thefts involve simply unbolting?

 

ok...

 

pretty sure. most on newer suv's are bolted in. mines welded (and i need a new one) so i'm not worried about it.

 

im pretty sure they use a sawsall

 

that's what you'd think right? in the article it said that TACK welding differs robbers....i don't get it.

my question is though, is it illegal to sell your old cat when you replace it since they say it's a black market?

 

I guess it depends on the state and local laws. "Gray market" might be a better term. I sold my old 1993 cat last year (after I swapped in a 2001 3.4) to a local scrap metal dealer for $140 cash in my hand, they just had me sign a form saying I owned the cat and didn't steal it, which of course I didn't. I think there is a new law now where they have to look at your ID and mail you a check for anything over $25. New laws are going into effect quickly now all over the country to try and stop this madness.

 

Where do I sell mine. I've got like 4 or 5 around here. I've cut them off of parts trucks before selling them for scrap.

 

i've got 2 here at the house...one is BIG looks like it was on a 350 chevy or somethin V8..and a small one off of a 97 geo metro...anybody know how much cats go for...or somewhere i can sell them for some cold hard cash in oklahoma...

 

Look in the phone book for a metals recycle place. They are usually in the worst areas of town.

In OKC there is one on Sheridan Ave just a little West of Villa Ave, that's between May and Penn just North of I-40. Boy were they busy too.

 

ok good to know, thanks goat i think i need to get a new one soon, mine might be getting clogged.

 

They have been hitting parking lots at night around here. They slide under with a 12V sawzall and have it off in about 40 seconds. You hear of an apartment complex being hit and 20-25 people have become victims.

It is an easy way for someone with no skills at all to make a nice chunk of change. Stay weary.

 

I'm going to weld a chain around mine to make it harder for theives to cut

 

and how does that work exactly?

I can't really think of any other way to stop other than welding a plate over it....but even then..it can still be cut on the exhaust tube at both ends and slid out...I'm stumped