Someone stole the catalytic converter off our truck yesterday.
I got in it at the train station after work, started the engine and promptly turned it off because it was LOUD.
I checked the tailpipe and muffler and worked my way back toward the engine looking for what had to be an obvious hole, missing piece, or something until I saw what’s in the picture above.
The craziest thing is they left all the nuts and bolts—four of each—laying right underneath where the converter used to be.
Turns out it’s not that uncommon:
Toyotas provide the biggest target because their catalytic converters can be removed easily and quickly. They are attached by only two bolts.
For criminals in the know, converters are as good as gold. Actually, better. Catalytic converters contain tiny amounts of three precious metals - platinum, palladium and rhodium - that have seen their commodity rates skyrocket in the past two years.
Not only that, we were lucky:
“All it takes is a sawzall with a metal blade, a couple of quick cuts and it’s out,” explains Cam Young, a mechanic at Cam’s Auto Service. “Less than two minutes.”
It’s a lot easier to replace the converter when it’s removed properly. If it was cut out you’d have to replace the exhaust pipes too.
It was a pretty loud ride home.