Stolen catalytic converter, insurance or shell out?
Discussion
I've had the catalytic converter stolen from my 2001 Honda CRV. They cut through the bolts at the front, the central section of the exhaust behind the cat, and the wiring to the o2 sensor. So it needs a new cat, central exhaust section, a new 02 sensor plus new wiring/connector to extend the loom to the sensor, plus all the associated bolts/gaskets etc. The car would need recovering to a garage too, I'm not driving it making that much noise!!! Car value is around £1600 I'd imagine.
I've asked my local indy garage to quote for fixing it, but they can't get hold of an OEM cat, and won't fit a cheapo cat because apparently they don't last. I'm just not sure whether to go through insurance, excess is £350, and I've only just got back up to 3 years no claims after having 6 claims in the last 5 years.
Any ideas what to do? Would they write the car off for something like this? Do cheap cats work/last? Or is a cheap cat ok and i should look for another garage?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
I've asked my local indy garage to quote for fixing it, but they can't get hold of an OEM cat, and won't fit a cheapo cat because apparently they don't last. I'm just not sure whether to go through insurance, excess is £350, and I've only just got back up to 3 years no claims after having 6 claims in the last 5 years.
Any ideas what to do? Would they write the car off for something like this? Do cheap cats work/last? Or is a cheap cat ok and i should look for another garage?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
I feel your pain. This happened to my 05 Accord Tourer back in the autumn. Outside my house, nearby houses all with lights on, so clearly people up, they didn't care. Was all done in moments.
Like you, they just cut it - upstream of the flange, so new downpipe needed, and downstream at the other end, so new mid section required. Lambda sensors just ripped off and ruined.
My indy did fix it, but it took 10 days to get the bits (mid section got stuck in Belgium!) and cost me over a grand.
Didn't go anywhere near insurance, as it would have been a sure-fire write off. The car is worth nothing to anyone but me. Thing is, I love it - had it over 4 years, taken it from 47k to 100k, had it waxoiled, it's properly maintained, cleaned and waxed. Does everything I want - uni runs, Scottish holidays, commuting - in quiet comfort. So I bit the bullet and got it sorted, as it was way cheaper than buying a replacement, especially with the used market the way it is.
My indy did source a new cat, though. I'm now wary of where I leave the car, especially as my gym isn't in the best part of town, and my house now has more cameras than a US airbase. It wouldn't stop these scummy gits, though.
Good luck getting it sorted.
Like you, they just cut it - upstream of the flange, so new downpipe needed, and downstream at the other end, so new mid section required. Lambda sensors just ripped off and ruined.
My indy did fix it, but it took 10 days to get the bits (mid section got stuck in Belgium!) and cost me over a grand.
Didn't go anywhere near insurance, as it would have been a sure-fire write off. The car is worth nothing to anyone but me. Thing is, I love it - had it over 4 years, taken it from 47k to 100k, had it waxoiled, it's properly maintained, cleaned and waxed. Does everything I want - uni runs, Scottish holidays, commuting - in quiet comfort. So I bit the bullet and got it sorted, as it was way cheaper than buying a replacement, especially with the used market the way it is.
My indy did source a new cat, though. I'm now wary of where I leave the car, especially as my gym isn't in the best part of town, and my house now has more cameras than a US airbase. It wouldn't stop these scummy gits, though.
Good luck getting it sorted.
Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.
I don't want to throw a huge amount at it, certainly not anywhere near a grand, and then have the risk of it happening again. It was obviously targeted, took place overnight on my driveway, quiet village. Apparently even putting a cage around the replacement isn't much of a deterrent.
I don't want to throw a huge amount at it, certainly not anywhere near a grand, and then have the risk of it happening again. It was obviously targeted, took place overnight on my driveway, quiet village. Apparently even putting a cage around the replacement isn't much of a deterrent.
campionissimo said:
Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.
I don't want to throw a huge amount at it, certainly not anywhere near a grand, and then have the risk of it happening again. It was obviously targeted, took place overnight on my driveway, quiet village. Apparently even putting a cage around the replacement isn't much of a deterrent.
Cheapest would be simple ebay replacement with decatI don't want to throw a huge amount at it, certainly not anywhere near a grand, and then have the risk of it happening again. It was obviously targeted, took place overnight on my driveway, quiet village. Apparently even putting a cage around the replacement isn't much of a deterrent.
Of course the cages don't work, they use angle grinders
ChickenvanGuy said:
Didn't go anywhere near insurance, as it would have been a sure-fire write off. The car is worth nothing to anyone but me. Thing is, I love it - had it over 4 years, taken it from 47k to 100k, had it waxoiled, it's properly maintained, cleaned and waxed. Does everything I want - uni runs, Scottish holidays, commuting - in quiet comfort. So I bit the bullet and got it sorted, as it was way cheaper than buying a replacement, especially with the used market the way it is.
My indy did source a new cat, though. I'm now wary of where I leave the car, especially as my gym isn't in the best part of town, and my house now has more cameras than a US airbase. It wouldn't stop these scummy gits, though.
Good luck getting it sorted.
I really am fond of this car, although it's everything I've never hankered after in a vehicle. I've had hot French hatches, 6 pot bmws etc, this is at the other end of the car spectrum. But even though it's slow, and ruinously thirsty, it's also very practical, comfortable and makes me much more relaxed while driving. I've only had it since September, so don't quite have that level of bond with it that you do with the Accord.My indy did source a new cat, though. I'm now wary of where I leave the car, especially as my gym isn't in the best part of town, and my house now has more cameras than a US airbase. It wouldn't stop these scummy gits, though.
Good luck getting it sorted.
I know what you mean about the used car market, it's not a great time to be buying. With an upcoming change in circumstances, I wouldn't be overly unhappy about having to replace it, with something more economical and an out of the way cat! I just don't want to go through the hassle of fixing it, only for it to happen again in a few weeks time. I mean, the thieves know exactly where a replacement cat is hiding out!!!
gman88667733 said:
Are aftermarket cats ok? I'm getting my 2002 CRV back that I sold 6 months ago because I regretted selling it, just wanting to prepare myself for cat anxiety again 
found ones on eBay for about £150, so hardly anything really..!
Pattern cats will generally get you through an MOT soon after fitting, but may not the following year. found ones on eBay for about £150, so hardly anything really..!Personal experience with one of our Peugeots & also the opinion of the tester I've used for our cars for years.
paintman said:
gman88667733 said:
Are aftermarket cats ok? I'm getting my 2002 CRV back that I sold 6 months ago because I regretted selling it, just wanting to prepare myself for cat anxiety again found ones on eBay for about £150, so hardly anything really..!
Pattern cats will generally get you through an MOT soon after fitting, but may not the following year. found ones on eBay for about £150, so hardly anything really..!Personal experience with one of our Peugeots & also the opinion of the tester I've used for our cars for years.
I'm premature here, my incoming CRV has the original cat (big target!!) I believe and is still fine at 108,000 miles or however many miles it has done now.
https://www.cats2u.co.uk/1803-20
Just buy a aftermarket CAT and downpipe, sod insurance or garages that say aftermarket CATs don't last - it sounds like they just don't want the job.
As a Honda owner I did the sensible thing and bought a 4 branch manifold & Hondata ECU so have no CAT worries & extra 30HP
Just buy a aftermarket CAT and downpipe, sod insurance or garages that say aftermarket CATs don't last - it sounds like they just don't want the job.
As a Honda owner I did the sensible thing and bought a 4 branch manifold & Hondata ECU so have no CAT worries & extra 30HP
gman88667733 said:
Hmm okay... Realistically, it probably isn't worth buying more than a cheapo one unless going for OEM then?
I'm premature here, my incoming CRV has the original cat (big target!!) I believe and is still fine at 108,000 miles or however many miles it has done now.
Flog the cat yourself and get an aftermarket. I'm premature here, my incoming CRV has the original cat (big target!!) I believe and is still fine at 108,000 miles or however many miles it has done now.
Mine got nicked a few years ago, I got a cheap one bunged on - it's slightly louder in the cabin (I think the original headers/cat is double skinned?) but I have slightly more performance now and better economy. It's sallied through MOT's. I'm up to 225000 miles now ('02 CRV auto).
cwis said:
Flog the cat yourself and get an aftermarket.
Mine got nicked a few years ago, I got a cheap one bunged on - it's slightly louder in the cabin (I think the original headers/cat is double skinned?) but I have slightly more performance now and better economy. It's sallied through MOT's. I'm up to 225000 miles now ('02 CRV auto).
Very good to hear, thank you!!Mine got nicked a few years ago, I got a cheap one bunged on - it's slightly louder in the cabin (I think the original headers/cat is double skinned?) but I have slightly more performance now and better economy. It's sallied through MOT's. I'm up to 225000 miles now ('02 CRV auto).
What economy do you get? I remember on a long trip I managed 30mpg and was thrilled... My usual was 23
Edited by gman88667733 on Saturday 5th February 18:07
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