Today's 'What We Do' post concerns a 2003 Toyota Tundra needing a stolen catalytic converter replacement.
A growing vehicle crime is the theft of catalytic converters. These converters are stolen and sold for scrap metal. Thieves target high-clearance vehicles such as Toyota trucks and SUVs because they can get under them and remove the catalytic converter without raising the vehicle.
In This Article
Diagnosis
Repair
Catalytic Converter Replacement Cost
Tips
Recommended Toyota Repair Service Shop
Reviews
Diagnosis
There is no diagnosis needed. When the vehicle with a missing catalytic converter is started, it roars like a jet engine! When the catalytic converter is stolen, thieves cut off the exhaust pipes and remove the converter unit, leaving the muffler disconnected and the exhaust pipe from the engine wide open. The open exhaust noise is shocking and results in more than a few spilled coffee cups when the owner starts their vehicle first thing in the morning!
Repair
The Toyota Tundra owner decided to replace the catalytic converter with quality aftermarket, non-original parts due to the cost of Toyota parts and the age of the vehicle. The aftermarket parts that were used have a 5-year guarantee, which matches the life expectancy of this vehicle. Original equipment Toyota parts have a 10-year warranty but cost significantly more and won't provide the value provided by aftermarket parts for a vehicle at this point in its life.
Depending on how the thieves removed the catalytic converter, the exhaust pipes before and after the catalytic converter may need to be replaced. If the thieves have done a clean job of cutting the pipes, and the pipes are not too rusted, we can weld pieces of new exhaust pipe to the new catalytic converter. If the exhaust pipes are too rusty to weld, they must be replaced.
2003 Toyota Tundra needing a replacement Catalytic Converter. Notice the missing catalytic converter between point A and point B. The front exhaust pipe was cut at point A and the rear exhaust pipe at point B when the catalytic converter was stolen. The good condition of the exhaust pipes allowed our technician to weld the new catalytic converter to the pipes.
Catalytic Converter Replacement Cost
Catalytic Converter Replacement cost varies greatly with the year, make, model, and engine. The damage caused by the theft varies case by case and would need to be estimated for each vehicle.
There are two options for catalytic converter replacement on a 2003 Toyota Tundra: 1) using original equipment manufacturer (OEM) Toyota parts or (2) using aftermarket replacement parts. Original Toyota parts are three to four times the cost of the aftermarket parts. The OEM Toyota parts are better quality, but the vehicle owner needs to consider how long they will keep their vehicle.
There are too many unknowns and variables with catalytic converter theft replacement to estimate a repair cost without examining the vehicle. Please contact us for an appointment to inspect your vehicle.
Tips
- Don't park your vehicle in out-of-the-way places. Cutting exhaust pipes makes a lot of noise, and thieves are hesitant to do it anywhere they will be noticed and reported.
- Use anti-theft devices. Vehicles are often stolen and driven to a remote location where the catalytic converter is removed. Vehicle theft is challenging to prevent. Making it as difficult as possible will usually cause the thieves to skip your vehicle and choose an easier victim.
Recommended Toyota Repair Service Shop in Ann Arbor, MI
Contact Hoover Street Auto Repair for all your Toyota services in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Our Toyota technicians have the skill and experience to correctly diagnose and repair your Toyota catalytic converter problem. We are Toyota service specialists.
You can trust your Toyota service to Hoover Street Auto Repair. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, Hoover Street Auto Repair also serves the surrounding areas, including Pittsfield, MI; Ypsilanti, MI; Saline, MI; and Dexter, MI.