Catalytic Converter Theft and How to Prevent it

Catalytic Converter Theft and How to Prevent it: You wake one morning to go work, start your car and all hell breaks loose, your car is making noises like WW2 fighter planes. No big deal, your catalytic converter was stolen overnight. Your engine exhaust is not connected to muffler anymore, you can’t drive to work and will have to spend $1,000 to replace it.

Catalytic converters theft is going thru the roof in Canada (Ontario) and all over North America for that matter, on an unprecedented scale. There are a lot of reasons, however rising theft rates usually are associated with bad economy, lower standards of living, high and progressively elevating living costs.

Catalytic Converter Theft In Canada.

What is a Catalytic Converter

Catalytic converter is an exhaust component build to reduce vehicle pollution by transforming pollution into something else less harmful to human health. Core temperatures inside catalytic converter reach 400 Celsius to accomplish chemical transformation of exhaust pollution.

Catalytic Converter Components

Catalytic converter has a steel shell which encapsulates a ceramic core. Ceramic core is where high temperatures transform and reduce exhaust elements, pollutants and other harmful gases from combustion of fuel.

Why Catalytic Converters are Stolen

Ceramic core has precious metals embedded inside it, neither Gold nor Silver if your first thoughts went there. Catalytic converter ceramic core has Platinum Group Metals in it, Platinum and Palladium, about 1% of core mass. It does have very little metal but price of these metals is so high, very little becomes something very fast.

If you are wondering how Platinum looks like, image below shows British and Australian Platinum one troy ounce coins. Platinum can handle very high temperatures, does not rust and is heavier than Gold.

Platinum cost about US $1,000 per Ounce (31 grams) while Palladium price is at $1,500 per ounce. These are not cheap and with inflation raging probably going much higher. Each catalytic converter has about 5 grams of Palladium or Platinum and 2 grams of rhodium.

Rhodium is another very rare and expensive metal. One ounce of Rhodium cost $8,000 (31 grams). Scrap prices will closely follow prices of these two metals. Higher metal prices equal higher catalytic converter scrap price and higher theft rates.

(All major cities in Ontario have precious metal stores which usually carry Platinum coins, in addition to Gold and Silver).

How Much Does it Cost to Replace

Catalytic Converters are not cheap. Prices for a new converter depend on vehicle model, make and brand, for some premium brands (read European cars) sky is the limit for new catalytic converter prices. Generally a catalytic converter cost about $500 for a good quality aftermarket one and $1,000 or more at dealerships for original equipment parts.

What is Catalytic Converter Scrap Price in Canada

Scrap price for a catalytic converter is about $200 at the moment (2023), it was $100 not long ago. Catalytic converters are recycled (and stolen) for precious metals in their core. Price of scrap will depend on price of precious metals.

Gasoline engines catalytic converters are manufactured using Palladium. Platinum is used to manufacture catalytic converters for diesel engine catalytic converters.

Chart below demonstrates 40 years of Palladium prices (Palladium is part of Platinum Group, very similar to Platinum as a metal). Prices start at $40 in 1985 and end up $1,500 per ounce in 2023.

Where is Catalytic Converter Located

Catalytic converters usually installed on a vehicle on two different locations. Some manufacturers choose to locate catalytic converter close to engine exhaust manifold. Catalytic converters located close to exhaust manifold can not be stolen. Its hard to reach even for a mechanic with hood open and every tool available.

Other manufacturers choose to install catalytic converters on exhaust system line underneath the car. Straight down below where your gear shift lever is. Catalytic converters installed underneath the car are easily accessible and can be cut with a metal saw.

How Catalytic Converters are Stolen

Thieves go under your vehicle with a battery operated metal saw. Cut two exhaust pipes connected to catalytic converter and that’s it, takes only a couple of minutes. Btw, they will cut your oxygen sensor wires too. That will add another $100 in expenses, just to make sure paying for a new catalytic converter is not painful enough.

Which Cars are Affected Most By Catalytic Converter Theft

SUVs are most affected. SUVs are higher from ground vehicles and catalytic converters are easier to reach. Most common vehicles hit by catalytic converter theft are: Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Older Toyota RAV-4, Camry, Ford F Pickups, Equinox, Prius, Jeep Patriot.

How to Protect Against Catalytic Converter Theft in Ontario

Best way to protect against catalytic converter theft is buying a car which catalytic converter is located close to exhaust manifold. Otherwise, park your car in illuminated areas and pray thieves are vampires afraid of light.

Install a very sensible car alarm. But then again you don’t want to run outside every night at 2 am in pajamas to find out wind triggered it.

Installing a catalytic converter theft prevention cage might be worth it. However, these things cost $300 to $400 bucks. Installation is not cheap either. Cost for these devices is almost as much as an aftermarket catalytic converter. Although, if you have an expensive catalytic converter, installing a converter cage might be worth it.

Welding Steel Bars

You can talk to your mechanic and see if he can weld steel bars along the axis of catalytic converter. From one side of catalytic converter all the way to the other, four high carbon steel bars in all. High carbon steel bars are very hard and take a long time to cut them. Thieves usually do not have much time in their hands and might leave your catalytic converter alone.

What to Do if Your Catalytic Converter is Stolen

Call the police and get a police report. They won’t find your catalytic converter but you might need a police report for insurance claim latter on. Insurance will cove catalytic converter theft under theft and vandalism. In any case, it depends on your insurance policy. Comprehensive policies cover catalytic converter theft but liability only policies might not.

(If you are looking for a fast and easy solution to sell a car, more here on “How To Sell Your Car Fast In Ontario”. )

Comments: If you have any questions related to this post or Used Car Toronto in general, don’t hesitate to use comment section below.