Prius Catalytic converter theft

Nobody likes to see somebody killed over property theft, but I AM sorta pleased that the NBC affiliate didn't use the word "alleged"....

 

This is a thing on the east coast. Any ways to secure the converter without major surgery?

 

There are several threads reviewing cat shields, along with some home-brew systems.

@Mendel Leisk mentioned bolting a bunch of muffler clamps to the pipes. DIY friendly.

Me?
I would talk to a local independent muffler shop and see what they would charge to spot weld some rebar pieces to your exhaust plumbing around your cat.
Easy
Cheap (if you use the right shop)
Effective if properly done.

If you don't live in a certain state on the left coast that rhymes with Kalifornia, you have the option of replacing your stolen cat with a cheaper aftermarket unit - AND you don't have to worry about the "ve want to see you papers und you pipes" kind of inspection.

This means that your muffler shop can just bolt a metal plate over the exhaust with some security screws if you want to go that route.

We're not talking MAJOR surgery.....but you WILL want to perform some kind of outpatient procedure if/when cat theft becomes a real thing in your zip code.

Good Luck!

 

Next time I’m under the car I’ll try to remember to measure pipe diameter(s).

 

I just spent $600 getting my two Priuses done at a local muffler shop. I could have done it myself for half buying the same shields they used off of Amazon, but it's only money, eh?

 

I take it a sign that says, "Hey, don't take this". is a waste of time?

 

i just got a millercat installed in LA for $235(with tax).
$235 for a peace of mind is totally worth it imo.

 

These thefts are growing daily with local stories of how fast it was removed....someone went into a store and back to the car in 30 minutes....loud ride home. Looking to upgrade and the millercat style solution would be for the next Prius.

You know I am looking at the millercat which has 'tamper-proof' screws. If I were one ripping these out of cars I'd have the 'tamper-proof' bit in my kit. The Cat Shield sticker looks like the most valuable piece of the entire kit....

 

My spin is if someone is really determined, they will prevail. The object is to make it more difficult for them, thus encouraging them to move on to an easier target.

A Miller CatShield is due to arrive this week, almost as satisfying as having received our second round of Moderna Covid shots! WooHoo safe at last (well, safer anyways).

 

What happens when a cat is stolen from a Prime? I almost never use the engine. Would error codes pop up even though I'm driving on battery power? Would I get 25 miles from home and suddenly pop a code when the ICE kicks in?

 

My understanding is that your Prius would roar like it’s needing a new muffler.

 

You'll loose coolant; at exhaust gas heat exchanger and get a CEL; due to the missing down-stream O2 sensor.

 

the question bases on the assumption of driving the Prime electrically.

 

Not sure you’d lose coolant, unless thief is exceptionally ham-fisted. Leftmost thickening is CAT, next bit has the coolant.

 

Yep; it depends on where the "tweaker" decides to cut the pipe; assuming they can identify which bump in the pipe is the CAT. Usually better to cut everything out; than take the chance of missing the CAT.

 

This happened on my 2005 Prius. It ran but was very loud and could only reach 30mph at best. It cost about $3K for the replacement, but was covered by insurance. I've been told that the newer cats aren't as popular, in terms of theft. At least at the moment.

 

Miller cat shield, not as a complete deterrent - encourages these idiots to go to a softer target - mine went on in 30 minutes with car up on rhino ramps - easiest thing next to oil changes - and if you are worried someone has the "secret" bit to take off the screws - tweakers are going to mess with that, they just take the angle grinder to the screw heads if they really want it - can make it impossible, just harder....

 

I'm curious about the PRIUS PRIME and how it would react if the cat was cut out and then the car was DRIVEN ON BATTERY. Biomed's suggestion that the missing O2 sensor would trigger CEL sounds about right. Has anybody experienced a theft on a PRIME that they did not notice till the ICE fired up?

 

There's gotta be a way to run a wire from the high voltage traction battery alongside the catcon. When the thief cuts through this he'll be done...well done.