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Craig1960 · 04-16-2021, 02:09 PM

So I've been tinkering with my M/H for the last week so it will be ready to go when and if we can go anywhere this summer. Yesterday I decided to fire it up after it sat all winter next to my garage. Started instantly like it always does but with a loud exhaust leak... I look underneath and sure enough the cat is gone. :(
I'm not even sure when they did it, I had my old pickup parked in front of it right up until about a week ago and it still has it's cat. I live in a small hamlet with no neighbors on that side so I guess it has enough cover for the thieves to feel comfortable.

Now I have to figure out how to make the new one tougher to get at.

Bigd9 · 04-16-2021, 07:18 PM

Boy that is bad! How did they get it out? Cut it? What on earth do they do with a used catalytic converter? Does homeowners insurance cover something like that?

elbeau54 · 04-16-2021, 07:29 PM

Battery saws all cats have platinum in them

Craig1960 · 04-17-2021, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elbeau54

Battery saws all cats have platinum in them

It was definitely a saws all, who knows they may have even plugged into my garage if it wasn't battery powered and yes they sell them for the platinium. My insurance probably does cover it but its $500 deductable and I'm not sure if my rates will go up because of it. I think I'm just going to replace it with a straight pipe. There are no sensors down stream from the cat so it shouldn't throw a code. If it does I will put a new cat in and try to make it harder to get at.

Now it's getting what's left off, soaked the bolts over night but still can't get them off so I will probably have to weld that end in place. The other went into the expanded pipe which I have got to move but not much left to grab onto so its going slow.

LETMGROW · 04-17-2021, 12:27 PM

Call your insurance agent. I don't believe a comprehensive claim will increase your premium. Get an estimate to replace any pipes necessary to put the exhaust back as it was.
I could loan you my dog for a few days. He's a 220# Rottie which has a 15# bowling ball for his favorite toy. He carries it around like a golf ball.
Bury the evidence and send him home if they come back. Converters are easier to remove right after they are replaced and not all thieves are stupid.

Craig1960 · 04-17-2021, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LETMGROW

Call your insurance agent. I don't believe a comprehensive claim will increase your premium. Get an estimate to replace any pipes necessary to put the exhaust back as it was.
I could loan you my dog for a few days. He's a 220# Rottie which has a 15# bowling ball for his favorite toy. He carries it around like a golf ball.
Bury the evidence and send him home if they come back. Converters are easier to remove right after they are replaced and not all thieves are stupid.

I probably should check with the insurance company just to see, the price I found so far for a replacement converter is $1400 CDN. I will still need to build something around it to hopefully deter them the next time if I put it back in.

LOL your dog would definitely work by the sounds of it.

gmc70 · 04-17-2021, 04:52 PM

There is a radio station in Al. that advertises top dollar for used cats. Talk about an invition to the thieves.

FL420 · 04-17-2021, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmc70

There is a radio station in Al. that advertises top dollar for used cats. Talk about an invition to the thieves.

I hope that advert was placed by cops setting up a sting op.

doublechevy · 04-17-2021, 07:09 PM

could be time for security cameras or some type of proximity light sensors

L-M-L · 04-17-2021, 08:06 PM

If you build some type of guard around it be careful and not build it so the converter doesn't breath. The converter does get very hot when the engine is under a load and the heat has to go somewhere.

Craig1960 · 04-17-2021, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmc70

There is a radio station in Al. that advertises top dollar for used cats. Talk about an invition to the thieves.

I don't know if craigslist is the same down there but Kjiji which is Canada's craigslist is full of places that will buy them as well.

I think you're right about the camera's doublechevy, I can't see the m/h from anywhere in my house and with the trees you can't really see much of it from the road either so it's a perfect spot for the thieves. Until I figure out something I'm just going to run a straight pipe for now.

trapper2020 · 04-18-2021, 06:57 AM

Sorry for your loss. Don’t waist your money on cameras. Cops won’t waist there time using it. Had truck under camera and watched guy ride is bike up to truck, flashlight it, and then break into it. Police had no interest in looking for crook. Safe travels

Enjoy the journey

Craig1960 · 04-18-2021, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L-M-L

If you build some type of guard around it be careful and not build it so the converter doesn't breath. The converter does get very hot when the engine is under a load and the heat has to go somewhere.

Yes I was thinking of making a lightweight tubular cage that around that they could still cut probably but might be enough to make them not want to be under there so long doing it.

I hear you on the camera's Trapper but at least I would see who it is. Where I live I don't think we get anyone from the city out this far but there is a reserve about another 10 miles past us. I hate to say it but I would almost bet money that there is where they are from. There is a pretty active local chat group here as well, if nothing else I could post pictures on there so others would be aware of it.

arcaguy · 04-18-2021, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig1960

Yes I was thinking of making a lightweight tubular cage that around that they could still cut probably but might be enough to make them not want to be under there so long doing it.

I hear you on the camera's Trapper but at least I would see who it is. Where I live I don't think we get anyone from the city out this far but there is a reserve about another 10 miles past us. I hate to say it but I would almost bet money that there is where they are from. There is a pretty active local chat group here as well, if nothing else I could post pictures on there so others would be aware of it.

In a town that small get a picture of their vehicle and you've likely got them identified. You can be pretty sure that a local scrap yard is buying the stuff but how do you prove it? When you get the new one, if you do, it might be worth while etching you VIN into it. I'm kind of surprised that the OEMs don't do that it would kill the theft market.