Stolen catalytic converter in london uk

Sorry to hear that. I am currently running the exact exhaust you have mentioned. It doesn't come with a fitting kit like some others do but my mechanic didn't say he was missing anything.

AS for the lambda sensor, I got the one quoted below as it claimed to have the correct plug and can jut be swapped out.

However, in hindsight, I'm not sure if that's actually worth the extra money. The mechanic said it took him quite a while to access the socket for the sensor and he had to rip out my blank pedal (which he's going to put back together soon), so it might actually be easier to just join the cables and not try to get to the plug. Perhaps good to ask a/your mechanic which is a better option.

Denso, from what I've heard (and I'm no expert), make a lot of Toyota's original parts so I'm assuming it's a good brand.

 

The spark plugs specd are Denso, at least third gen, 2nd gen too?

 

Owners manual shows NGK or Denso.
NGK: IFR5A11
Denso: SK16R11

Personally I always go with the NGK’s. I changed the plugs on my friends Tacoma TRD with the 3400 v6 and the original plugs were NGK on the coil pack side and Denso on the plug wire side. From the factory. Go figure.

 

Yeah same here, NGK are readily available I think?

Our previous civic hybrid had dual spark plugs; each cylinder had one NGK and one Denso, go figure.

Sorry for topic drift.

 

Like so many others I found this thread after suffering the same fate. We had our catalytic converter stolen from our 2008 Prius last Sunday here in Worcester (UK) overnight with the car parked on our drive. We just got our Prius back yesterday with the part replaced. I am however very worried about the same gang of thieves coming back again.

Data Daedalus, I would like to buy one of your CatStraps if either of them is still available. Could you please let me know ASAP?

Jennifer

 

Really helpful post, thats great - my mechanic did say any Cat is fine, and as you say other posts online indicate (perhaps based on price alone) that the Toyota original Cat is overspecced, which is also why it gets stolen. He said 3rd party Cats dont tend to get stolen, however I'm not so sure! I've ordered it and once it's fitted I'll whack a sticker on the side saying its a cheapo one and that I've scratched on my postcode like the police used to do with pedal bikes

Also re the Lambda sensor, mechanic said he'll join the wires so i ordered the cheapest option. Seeing as the car's so old now I don't want to spend too much getting it back running

 

So I finally got my car back on Saturday from the garage. I didn’t opt for the Toyota cat. I did t think it was worth spending 1000+ on a car that the insurance wanted to write off. Purchased a cheap cat and had it installed all for under half of what Toyota were charging.

Went to work today and mpg doesn’t seem to have deteriorated. Still get about 53mpg.

Thanks all for putting my mind at ease about a third party cat! I think I would have spend the money at Toyota if it wasn’t for you!

I’m just waiting for this to happen again while I’m at work or anywhere now.

As someone mentioned above about carrying a gun, maybe it’s the next step in protecting ourselves from scum.

I can imagine catching someone in the process of removing my cat and me saying “there’s no precious metals in there son...but I have plenty of lead for you...” haha!

Anyways thank you all again and I really do hope this scummy behaviour stops!


iPhone ?

 

Following the thief incident I had a very bad experience with one repair shop - they installed the aftermarket converter and a new lambda sensor, however it is unacceptably noisy. The garage saying some nonsense about the rear part of exhaust is damaged although I don't think it is right as it was alright before.

Did it happen to anyone else - is it bad quality aftermarket part or could garage fit it badly?

Also, is it safe to drive this way? New lambda seem to be alright - there is no "check engine" showing at the moment.

 

I can assure you your replacement catalytic converter should NOT be noisy! My 2008 Tspirit (with the newly installed Klarius CAT, is as quiet as it was when I first got it over 5.5 years ago with the original CAT.

Methinks they’ve replaced your CAT and skimped on purchasing reliable exhaust gaskets for either end (or both)....and likely just used the original gasket which would now be grossly inadequate for the job.

The Governor (a member on here) who did a custom built CAT security job for me (for which I am eternally grateful) was thoughtful enough to add the purchase of two new exhaust gaskets to the list of items I needed for the custom build job.
In the event, I decided to purchase the two original Toyota gaskets - from my Toyota Stealership.

The end result was a perfectly put together CAT + Exhaust system (after the security installation) that sounded even QUIETER than what I’d got back after Insurance had carried out the CAT repairs. Indeed, it turned out one of the attached bolts was so badly installed it was broken! The Governor kindly replaced that bolt for me (after his discovery) providing a perfect seal.

I would suspect the noise you are hearing would be an imperfect seal between the CAT and the manifold end or an equally imperfect seal at the back end connected to the exhaust box.

I still have my (original) over 10 year old back box on my 2008 Prius - and it ain’t noisy!

What make of CAT did you purchase?


iPhone 6s +

 

Thanks a lot for detailed response - if you have ebay link for good quality gaskets required please share the ebay item id.

I don't know which made of cat converter they have used, but I really hope you are right and fitting right gaskets should help.

 

More Prius 2nd Gen catalytic converter theft videos....‍‍‍

WARNING: May induce feelings of wanting to go medieval on the hides of the parasites caught on video brazenly stealing from, and consequently disabling Prii in broad daylight.

Unchallenged.

Now then, take a deep breath......Breathe...! Breathe...!!
There you go. Count to ten......try to dissipate your rage.....

As for me?
HULK SMASH..!!!
.....if I ever get my hands on these -ing degenerates.....




iPad ? Pro

 

I think we’d all join you with the hulk smash part!

F’in ******!


iPhone ?

 

It’s the same gang. The biggest guy who seems to be the team leader is in virtually every video - and easily identified, whether he covers his face like a bandit or not. Dude is probably ex-paramilitary, but washed out of the forces (from wherever) in disgrace for.....um, bad behaviour / gross misconduct?

I strongly suspect their identities (and country of origin) - especially the “Big Boy” are already well known to UK law enforcement.

I also strongly suspect the lack of any action against them is indirectly, politically motivated.

Ergo, the Police have been specifically told to ignore this problem from further up the top of the ladder.

The truth will come out eventually.


iPad ? Pro

 

Why the presumption? Could they be home-grown?

 

I’m afraid I’m not presuming much really. Too many people in the street who have confronted them have identified them as not being from the UK - origins sadly are Eastern Europe. Sadly, because I’m married (32 years) to a lovely wife from Belarus and I’m proud to have family from those parts. I assure you I’m certainly not xenophobic. Indeed, I have lots of friends from across Eastern Europe some living in London.

Lastly, having lived and studied in Belarus, there’s no denying those strong Slavic cheek bones on their team leader - I can usually spot things like that, having spent 5 years living behind the so called iron curtain back in the day. They’re definitely NOT from the former Soviet Union though.


iPad ? Pro

 

I have to add my name to the the long list of Prius that have had their CAT stolen. Mine was taken from Balham SW London last night. Mine's definitely going to be a write off as mine is a GEN 1 Prius from 2001. Went out and started it this morning for it to sound like a jet fighter. Breakdown man said it was the CAT before he even looked at it - as in his words, 'these Toyota Prius cars never break down unless someone tampers with them'

Worst of all I have not long spent over £1000 on the car upgrading things. Gutted is not the word. It ran like a clock and now it's a write off.

I swear I'd do time if I ever caught the scum who go around doing this.

 

I’m so sorry to hear that your Mark 1 Prius has been attacked in this manner.

It would appear these criminals have realised that the CATs in the 1st Gen Prii also contain a pure Platinum, Palladium and Rhodium matrix - a metaphorical gold mine that can be harvested within a minute.

No doubt, it’ll be the same gang featured in those videos. They’re very clever, now jumping between cities to continue their unchecked crime spree.

Your 1st Gen isn’t necessarily a write off. You might be able to get a replacement from eBay; I’ve just seen one for a Prius 2001 - 2003 going for only £110.75 .....

So far, virtually all the non OEM replacements for Gen 2 Prii seem to be working flawlessly.

Hopefully this will get your Prius back on the road without you having to write it off




iPhone 6s +

 

Many thanks Data. I do appreciate your help.

According to my insurer my faithful old Gen 1 will be uplifted to a garage (not Toyota) on Monday. An assessor shall assess that it will probably cost more to repair than it is worth. I shall then ask the garage for a quote privately, and show your link above too.

I hope my insurer will allow me to keep the car even if they deem it a write off.

I have never had to deal with insurance claims before. This is the only car I have access to, so I am losing out on work and all sorts.

Once it is fixed (if it's possible insurance wise) I'll look into getting one of those Catstraps. Hopefully it'll fit to a Gen 1.

I have a feeling the thieves will return so a catstrap is a necessity. I shall also look into renting a garage.

What a world we live in where we have to spend hundreds of £££'s to keep a very reliable car on the road thanks to 2 minutes of cutting by pure scum.

Thanks again Data.

 

When you’ve got it fixed, I’ve still got a spare CatStrap Security Device available for sale if you’re interested.

I ordered a few from the US and this is the last one; it’s the alarmed version though, so a bit more pricey than the non-alarmed version.

Anyway, get your Mark 1 Prius “Classic” fixed first, then I’m here if you’re interested in the CatStrap.

Seems a shame that a few Prius cars have already been written off because of this Organised Crime Syndicate - for that is what they are.

The real shocker is that about over 1,000 Prius cars have been attacked / ripped off in London alone, yet the Mayor of London isn’t bothered in the slightest, the Metropolitan Police have been reduced to toothless Bull Dogs in this matter (do report the crime to them for statistical purposes though - but don’t expect the flying squad to spring into action - unless you offend someone on Twitter).

London has metaphorically speaking, fallen, and its citizens are being cynically browbeaten into accepting that this level of previously heard of crime (along with stabbings, burglaries, acid showers and moped muggings) is the new normal.
This is unacceptable - but it seems the powers that be have left US wide open to unprecedented levels of crime!

I hope you can get your Prius 1st Gen fixed. Have you looked at the videos to see how brazen these b’stards are?

This crime spree against Prius CATs has been going on for about 7 months now.......absolutely disgraceful! In any other city in the world, these thieves would have been caught within 30 days and prosecuted accordingly......here, they get the keys to the city.....and presumably a free non prosecution certificate with permission to commit “Grand Theft CAT” on the unsuspecting public unimpeded....‍


iPhone 6s +

 

I would be interested in your CatStrap. Who knows how long the assessor will take, but should they allow me to keep the car somehow - I would buy it.

Don't hold on to it on my account though. If you get a buyer in the meantime, you should sell it.

I am looking into getting a lockable garage locally (how expensive are they, that is a real eye opener!) At least I'll sleep at night without worrying about my CAT.

Yes I have seen the videos. Makes me so angry that these charlatans seem to have cart blanch to do as they please.

I did report it to the police who told me that even though CCTV is right above my car they hold out no hope at all in catching whoever did it. In fact he suggested it was a 'victim-less' crime and is very low on their priorities list. Hinted that it was a job for the insurance.

If it was any other car, I would not think twice about taking the write-off money and running to another make that doesn't attract these scrotes, but my elderly Prius looks and feels like a new car, and I want to keep it. Having just had the hybrid battery pack replaced it has years left in it yet.

All of this is so very frustrating.