Catalytic converter coolant question. Would joining cut ends of coolant lines with hose work?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by ivfx, Mar 14, 2021.

  1. ivfx

    ivfx Junior Member

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    So, our neighborhood has been targeted by cat thieves.

    The gen 3 catalytic convertor has coolant lines going in and out. See pictures.[​IMG] [​IMG]

    3-E556727-CC28-41-FE-92-A0-EBFB06-CAC2-DA — ImgBB

    4-A749-B20-6976-4-EBA-A857-B99-C80753569 — ImgBB



    I’m thinking connecting the two cut / open ends with clamped hose would complete the coolant circuit and then it’s only a matter of topping off before starting the car.... Basically, bypassing the cat...

    Neighbor is afraid because he saw one YouTube video that says don’t start your gen 3 because coolant line are also cut when cat is stolen. I don’t see any reason why connecting the two cut ends wouldn’t solve the coolant issue before we can locate a cat / drive in a jurisdiction where cat isn’t required.


    I have seen people connect the exhaust manifold section to the muffler section why welding a piece of steel pipe after they got their cat stolen on older non hybrid cars.
     
    #1 ivfx, Mar 14, 2021
    Last edited: Mar 14, 2021
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Yea, it makes sense you can patch the cooling pipes and refill the engine with coolant... Also make sure the loose wires from 02 sensor don't get shorted out, which sometimes kills the ECU.

    But doing work on the car to get it running while you wait to fix it is a waste of time, money and coolant. Better to just be patient and get it all fixed right on the first attempt rather than doing it twice.
     
    #2 PriusCamper, Mar 14, 2021
  3. ivfx

    ivfx Junior Member

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    Good tip about the O2 wires, It didn’t cross my mind.

    TBH, I’d personally look into just welding a piece of pipe and forget about the cat... wouldn’t be a waste then... One car isn’t going to destroy the environment. Also, it’s asinine that the government doesn’t allow salvage yards to sell cats this creating a market for stolen ones...


    I park 20 ft away. That’s what I’ll do if it happens to me....
     
    #3 ivfx, Mar 14, 2021
  4. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    The car isn't optimised for straight pipe and won't run as well... And the "one car isn't going to destroy" routine is what billions of people say about their own carbon footprint everyday, which is collectively hurtling life on earth over a cliff that our kids and grandkids will suffer greatly from. As in your thinking is what's creating this unstable climate problem in the first place... If you care about the future of your kids and their kids then doing the right thing matters.
     
    #4 PriusCamper, Mar 15, 2021
  5. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Don't know what the legallity of omitting the converter, but probably not a great idea.
    But the engine won't run correctly. I suppose if you knew someone that know how to reprogram
    the computers to run the engine without the coverter they could do that, but doubt you'll find that.
    Do you not have junk yards there? Maybe find one from a wrecked yard?

    The envronment can take car of itself. Don't get sucked into that crap...

     
    #5 ASRDogman, Mar 15, 2021
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