Unbelievable....
06-09-2008, 12:57 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Unbelievable....
But true!!!
I went out to our Toyota 4Runner to run an errand to the store Sunday morning. When I started up the engine, I heard a series of loud explosions coming from underneith the car that scared my wife out of her pants and had the dog running for cover. I turned off the key.
I said to my wife: "Sounds like you have a giant hole in the muffler." She said: "impossible. I drove it yesterday and it was fine."
I crawled under the car to see if in fact there was a hole in the muffler/tailpipe. What I found: two flanges ... and a missing Cat. Converter!!!
Some thieving B@STARD had crawled under our car ... in our driveway ... and unbolted the Cat from the 4Runner!!!
THE NERVE!!
Now, the cat. isn't terribly expensive to replace ... but the convenience factor is huge. The cops said there has been a rash of Cat. Converter thefts lately. One theory: the platinum inside the cat is worth $$. Come on. Really?
So, if you have a bolt-on cat. converter (ours was 4-bolts/two flanges for that Toyota model) either bend the bolts over or weld the flanges with a tack-weld to prevent theft.
.... Still can't believe it.
I went out to our Toyota 4Runner to run an errand to the store Sunday morning. When I started up the engine, I heard a series of loud explosions coming from underneith the car that scared my wife out of her pants and had the dog running for cover. I turned off the key.
I said to my wife: "Sounds like you have a giant hole in the muffler." She said: "impossible. I drove it yesterday and it was fine."
I crawled under the car to see if in fact there was a hole in the muffler/tailpipe. What I found: two flanges ... and a missing Cat. Converter!!!
Some thieving B@STARD had crawled under our car ... in our driveway ... and unbolted the Cat from the 4Runner!!!
THE NERVE!!Now, the cat. isn't terribly expensive to replace ... but the convenience factor is huge. The cops said there has been a rash of Cat. Converter thefts lately. One theory: the platinum inside the cat is worth $$. Come on. Really?
So, if you have a bolt-on cat. converter (ours was 4-bolts/two flanges for that Toyota model) either bend the bolts over or weld the flanges with a tack-weld to prevent theft.
.... Still can't believe it.
!
06-09-2008, 01:05 PM
#3
Drifting
It's been happening here for the last 12 months.
There has been a lot of reports if SUV's losing their catalytic converters while they are parked at the local repair shop using portable welding equipment and pipe cutters.
Next target for SUV's is the perps drilling holes in the gas tank, takes a few minutes with a cordless drill and gas can.
John
There has been a lot of reports if SUV's losing their catalytic converters while they are parked at the local repair shop using portable welding equipment and pipe cutters.
Next target for SUV's is the perps drilling holes in the gas tank, takes a few minutes with a cordless drill and gas can.
John
06-09-2008, 01:37 PM
#4
Rennlist Member
Keith, that was hilarious!
BlackPearl: it's unbelievable but so true. I think ABC or some other large network did a special on this awhile back. It's definitely happening due to the cost of the precious metals inside the Cat.
BlackPearl: it's unbelievable but so true. I think ABC or some other large network did a special on this awhile back. It's definitely happening due to the cost of the precious metals inside the Cat.
06-09-2008, 01:45 PM
#5
Quit Smokin'
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Yes.. SUV's are a target because they are easy to crawl under. The thief probably got at least $100 to recycle it.
I would recommend not tack welding them in place though, most criminals are more than willing to cut them out anyway... At least by removing the bolts they did not ruin the rest of your exhaust system. My frien's 4runner had the cat cut off despite the fact that the bolts could be removed easily.
I hate criminals.
I would recommend not tack welding them in place though, most criminals are more than willing to cut them out anyway... At least by removing the bolts they did not ruin the rest of your exhaust system. My frien's 4runner had the cat cut off despite the fact that the bolts could be removed easily.
I hate criminals.
06-09-2008, 03:55 PM
#7
Rennlist Member
Yep, it's been in the paper here also, along with drilling holes in gas tanks, and, get this, breaking into houses that have gone into foreclosure, and stealing the wiring out of the walls!!! Bastards, one and all. Next thing that will happen; our insurance premiums will go up. Sheeeesh...
Trending Topics
06-09-2008, 04:03 PM
#8
Drifting
Local church near my office had the copper coils stolen from the A/C units the other weekend causing all the meat & dairy products stored for the "food Kitchen" to go to waste
John
John
06-09-2008, 05:35 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'll have to keep an eye on my wife's 4runner. But I think there are less Mexicans here than in Mexifornia.
I dont want to hear it....the largest % of theft in Cali is from illegal's....so spare me the racist comments please. When I was working for a custom home builder as a Project Manager, the homes I built would get broken into and all large copper stolen out of them (ac copper, main electircal). The two times that we caught the thieves.....they were illegal mexicans.
I dont want to hear it....the largest % of theft in Cali is from illegal's....so spare me the racist comments please. When I was working for a custom home builder as a Project Manager, the homes I built would get broken into and all large copper stolen out of them (ac copper, main electircal). The two times that we caught the thieves.....they were illegal mexicans.
06-09-2008, 06:46 PM
#12
Rennlist Member
06-09-2008, 07:08 PM
#13
Three Wheelin'
06-10-2008, 01:19 AM
#14
Rennlist Member
People are discussing the idea of holding the metal recycling plants more accountable when buying products from people. When someone off the street shows up with a couple of CATs, it's pretty obvious where it came from.
06-10-2008, 01:24 AM
#15
Three Wheelin'
-matt