My neighbor just had the cat stolen out of her Prius. This is the second cat theft in my building since I've lived here. The first was out of an Accord.

I want to study up on cat replacement for when this happens to me. If it's a DIY job, maybe I could do it in my carport.

First things first. In the drawing attached, is part C the part that they will steal?

 

Yes Part C

 

Thanks mucho.

 

For the secondary catalytic converter (P/N 18160-RB1-J00), yes.

Primary one (P/N 18190-RP3-A10) is right off the cylinder head and a little more tedious to access for removal.

If your secondary gets snagged it will be pinch cheaper to replace than the primary but still pricey for an OE replacement.

 

Typically the thieves remove them with a reciprocating saw (i.e. Sawzall) so there may be other collateral damage like adjacent exhaust tubing and O2 sensor wiring.

 

^^ Bingo! Cat, heat shield, secondary O2 sensor if you're lucky.

Hopefully the dolts don't think the resonator in the B-pipe is a cat as well.

 

@Hootie @Alfa38 Thanks.

I wish I had a better image of the entire exhaust system. For some reason, this parts fiche isn't helping me. It sounds like the cats are toward the front, near the engine. Am I any better off parking with the rear of the car facing out of my carport?

Regarding the Sawzall: I can hear everything from my damn apartment. You would think I would hear that. But I never did.

 

Already got grade A advice!

As for parking direction, I'd continue backing in. Don't know if other people feel the same, but I'd want the cover of the car port to do my thievery, so I'd only choose cars in areas that provided it.

Trucks and SUVs with some ground clearance would be low hanging fruit. Do you know what kinds of vehicles got non-consensual maintenance?

EDIT: The catalysts are indeed towards the front. I can put the Fit up on ramps and snap a picture for you if you'd like.

Ooo, found this.

Left side of the image would be where the upstream cat/exhaust manifold affixes to the engine.

 

@Pyts No need to snap a pic. The diagram you posted is good enough to go into my family photo album with my wedding pictures.

You may be right, or you may be thinking too much like a mechanic and not enough like a thief. As I said above, at my place, they have already stolen cats out of an Accord and a Prius. They hit the Accord because the car had not been moved for months and was covered in dust and soot. They probably figured that the owner was not around. And I'm pretty sure they hit the Prius because Priuses have cats that are especially high in valuable metals. Or so I am told.

 

Install concertina wire under the car ..

 

Prius and hybrids are high value targets because they are low emissions vehicles and will retain more of the "precious" metals inside the cats..

 

I don't know how I missed the very plainly stated details! I can't comprehend how people manage these things. It seems more difficult than working a regular job, and to top it off, it's so selfish and cruel. I'm sorry that you've been given reason to worry.

 

I saw a video somewhere of thieves stealing from a Prius. They rolled two floor jacks, lifted the car from one side, cut out the cat, dropped it and jumped in a truck with their tools and the cat. Took about 90 seconds.

 

I also have heard that these guys are quick, efficient and know what they are doing. What stumps me is the Sawzall. I can hear every damn thing that's going on around my place. I don't know why I didn't hear them cutting the cat. By the way, they got to my neighbor' Prius even though it was parked in a carport with cars on either side. Not much room to even open your car door.

 

I'm looking at apartments that come with garage parking, but the truth is that I'm tired. I'd like to move to some city that is a little bit easier to live in, but all of America is pretty much ruined. Not to get into a whole political discussion, but that's my view.

 

Crime is prevalent everywhere it seems like.. sorry that we are having to worry about this.