1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

How to tell if my catalytic converter is stolen?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Happy_Prius_Owner, Nov 28, 2020.

Tags:
  1. Happy_Prius_Owner

    Happy_Prius_Owner New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 28, 2020
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    San Francisco
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Sadly, like some members here, the number of cat converter thefts is on the rise in my area. I have TWO Gen 3's and they are parked on the driveway. I have a pretty bright motion-sensored porch light, but I heard that the culprits are not deterred. So, I think it's only a matter of time when mine get stolen.

    Due to an injury, I cannot bend my body to look under the car. So, how will I be able to tell if the cats are stolen when (1) the car is not running and (2) the car is running? Many thanks.
     
    #1 Happy_Prius_Owner, Nov 28, 2020
  2. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2006
    11,340
    3,596
    1
    Location:
    Northern VA (NoVA)
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Well not sure, but they are cutting away your exhaust pipe, so I presume it would sound a little like a older Boeing 747.
    However, I am not sure the car would even start without errors because you would lose your temperature and O2 readings the hybrid system is looking for.
     
    #2 wjtracy, Nov 28, 2020
    Majafamily and Happy_Prius_Owner like this.
  3. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2017
    6,173
    4,078
    1
    Location:
    Wilkes Land
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    That excuse is not good enough. I was in a push-up position and couldn't even visually see the converter either.
     
    #3 Grit, Nov 28, 2020
  4. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2017
    6,173
    4,078
    1
    Location:
    Wilkes Land
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    That excuse is not good enough. I was in a push-up position and couldn't even visually see the converter either.
     
    #4 Grit, Nov 28, 2020
  5. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,257
    15,491
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    How about a mirror on a pole;).

    Should be able to do the trick(y).
     
    #5 Raytheeagle, Nov 28, 2020
    Majafamily and Grit like this.
  6. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2017
    6,173
    4,078
    1
    Location:
    Wilkes Land
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Great idea. I thought about after a drive, put marshmellow, chocolate, grahmcracker mounted to stick then hold it near the converter location. If it's still there, it should be a least 1000F and make instant s'mores :LOL:
     
    #6 Grit, Nov 28, 2020
  7. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    8,489
    5,056
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Just start it. It will be very loud. No need to look at it. There are steel cages becoming available to protect the cat if desired. The exhaust pipes are easy to cut with a battery recip saw. Steel is not.
     
    #7 rjparker, Nov 28, 2020
    jerrymildred likes this.
  8. bettergolf

    bettergolf Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2019
    446
    343
    0
    Location:
    Sanford NC
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    "and couldn't even visually see the converter either"

    Is there a way to see other than visually?
     
    #8 bettergolf, Nov 28, 2020
  9. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2017
    6,173
    4,078
    1
    Location:
    Wilkes Land
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I use a cell phone on a self stick at times to see under the car. That’s another way to see it visually not using my eyes.
     
    #9 Grit, Nov 28, 2020
  10. Austin Longenecker

    Austin Longenecker Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2018
    123
    66
    0
    Location:
    Austin Tx
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I guess technically using a thermal camera will allow you to see beneath in a way that is not visual. The Infrared the camera picks up does not fall under the visual light spectrum. (Now of course the image representation is visual). Does that count?
     
    #10 Austin Longenecker, Nov 28, 2020
    Grit likes this.
  11. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,518
    14,128
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    You beat me to it. Just start it. You'll know it the instant the ICE fires up. Absolute quickest way to tell if someone cut a chunk out of your exhaust system in front of the muffler. But if you're deaf, it might take a little longer before a neighbor finally comes over to see what the heck you're doing.
     
    #11 jerrymildred, Nov 28, 2020
    Prodigyplace and Merkey like this.
  12. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    8,489
    5,056
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    #12 rjparker, Nov 28, 2020
  13. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2012
    1,607
    877
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I would assume that the exhaust note would be very loud. Another clue would be no exhaust pressure at the tail pipe when the engine is running.
     
    #13 BZzap!, Nov 29, 2020
    wjtracy likes this.
  14. Fubar1764

    Fubar1764 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2012
    127
    41
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Turn it on. It'll sound like a tractor. Give it gas, and your neighbors will open their windows and throw tomatoes at you.
     
    #14 Fubar1764, Jun 29, 2021
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)