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Old 08-19-2022, 03:46 PM
 
Location: Dallas, TX
47 posts, read 52,296 times
Reputation: 43

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Well, i am seeing a lot of posts over social media of this theft occurring in the general PNW and/or West Vancouver vicinity. What is the remedy for this if there is no garage parking available? Has anyone tried installing an alarm to the actual component as a deterrent? Do apartment complexes in the Vancouver-Camas area have this problem? TIA for your notes and advice.
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Old 08-19-2022, 10:56 PM
 
Location: WA
5,439 posts, read 7,726,033 times
Reputation: 8543
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mermaid26 View Post
Well, i am seeing a lot of posts over social media of this theft occurring in the general PNW and/or West Vancouver vicinity. What is the remedy for this if there is no garage parking available? Has anyone tried installing an alarm to the actual component as a deterrent? Do apartment complexes in the Vancouver-Camas area have this problem? TIA for your notes and advice.
Depending on the model of your car you can have a catalytic converter guard installed that will make it too much trouble for thieves to get around. They normally just carry hand-held cordless sawzaws and a fast hydraulic jack. They don't necessarily have the tools to work around a shield that prevents easy removal of the catalytic converter. They will just move on to the next car because there is ALWAYS a next car.
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Old 08-20-2022, 02:04 PM
 
Location: Dallas, TX
47 posts, read 52,296 times
Reputation: 43
Quote:
Originally Posted by texasdiver View Post
Depending on the model of your car you can have a catalytic converter guard installed that will make it too much trouble for thieves to get around. They normally just carry hand-held cordless sawzaws and a fast hydraulic jack. They don't necessarily have the tools to work around a shield that prevents easy removal of the catalytic converter. They will just move on to the next car because there is ALWAYS a next car.

Makes sense. I shall look into the guard-- hopefully not too costly to purchase and install. Do dealerships offer this service, or do I have to take it to just the local neighborhood mechanic? Thanks texasdiver
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Old 08-20-2022, 11:18 PM
 
Location: WA
5,439 posts, read 7,726,033 times
Reputation: 8543
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mermaid26 View Post
Makes sense. I shall look into the guard-- hopefully not too costly to purchase and install. Do dealerships offer this service, or do I have to take it to just the local neighborhood mechanic? Thanks texasdiver
I would call a muffler shop
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Old 08-21-2022, 12:27 PM
 
Location: Dallas, TX
47 posts, read 52,296 times
Reputation: 43
Quote:
Originally Posted by texasdiver View Post
I would call a muffler shop
Great! Thanks again.
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Old 08-22-2022, 09:47 AM
 
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,551 posts, read 81,085,957 times
Reputation: 57739
One of our local repair shops installs them free as a public service. You can also engrave the last 8 digits of the VIN on it, using a cheap hand engraver. It won't be pretty but the thieves will most likely avoid it. You can aklso spray it with a bright, high-heat paint, that will deter them because buyers will know it's been stolen. A motion detector alarm wouldn't likely go off until after it had been removed, with a change in weight, and then it's too late, but there are vibration and trip-wire alarms now.

https://www.fastguardalarms.com/prod...onverter-alarm

https://www.fastguardalarms.com/page...onverter-alarm

https://www.harborfreight.com/electr...SABEgLy_PD_BwE
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Old 08-22-2022, 03:10 PM
 
Location: Dallas, TX
47 posts, read 52,296 times
Reputation: 43
Quote:
Originally Posted by texasdiver View Post
I would call a muffler shop
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hemlock140 View Post
One of our local repair shops installs them free as a public service. You can also engrave the last 8 digits of the VIN on it, using a cheap hand engraver. It won't be pretty but the thieves will most likely avoid it. You can aklso spray it with a bright, high-heat paint, that will deter them because buyers will know it's been stolen. A motion detector alarm wouldn't likely go off until after it had been removed, with a change in weight, and then it's too late, but there are vibration and trip-wire alarms now.

https://www.fastguardalarms.com/prod...onverter-alarm

https://www.fastguardalarms.com/page...onverter-alarm

https://www.harborfreight.com/electr...SABEgLy_PD_BwE
Great info! Thanks Hemlock140
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Old 08-28-2022, 09:24 PM
 
208 posts, read 145,539 times
Reputation: 319
Many cars work fine without catalytic converters. You just “straight pipe” it with $20 worth of parts and ignore your check engine light. I know Tacomas/tundra/4Runner have no issue without it.
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Old 09-05-2022, 12:51 PM
 
Location: SCW, AZ
8,301 posts, read 13,434,842 times
Reputation: 7975
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hemlock140 View Post
One of our local repair shops installs them free as a public service. You can also engrave the last 8 digits of the VIN on it, using a cheap hand engraver. It won't be pretty but the thieves will most likely avoid it. You can aklso spray it with a bright, high-heat paint, that will deter them because buyers will know it's been stolen. A motion detector alarm wouldn't likely go off until after it had been removed, with a change in weight, and then it's too late, but there are vibration and trip-wire alarms now.

https://www.fastguardalarms.com/prod...onverter-alarm

https://www.fastguardalarms.com/page...onverter-alarm

https://www.harborfreight.com/electr...SABEgLy_PD_BwE
Put a sponge or similarly soft object that would come flush against the alarm, using a wire cutter, clip off the two thin clamps holding the alarm....takes like 10 seconds.

Hardly a deterrent if you ask me but a smart way for someone to make $30 a pop.
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