Stolen Catalytic Converter- mechanic shop rip off???

Hi, I own a 2000 toyota tacoma. It's a v6 4 cyl(?). I just got my catalytic converter stolen out from underneath.

Long story short. Sunday get my car broken into and a bunch of stuff stolen. Come home park my truck in front of my house wake up next morning to find out someone took my catalytic converter. bummer!!!

Any ways 2 questions.

1. The cops said it is very common in tacomas and 4runners something about the metal. Does anyone have any advice on how to prevent this from happening again?? I know there is something called the cat clap. but I am looking for something cheaper. If they want to get it they will get it and would rather not spend $315.

2. so I went to a local auto shop. Told them my sob story and everything.
When I brought it in it looked like they just chopped it off somewhat clean...the muffler still intact and everything close to it as well.

The shop I went to came up with this estimate: Do you think I am being ripped off.

I am a female with no knowledge and I think shops like to take advantage of me.
Thanks for your help.
If you haven't heard about this happening spread the word!!! It's not an uncommon thing. Something needs to change.

This is what they sent me:


1. CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS STOLEN

__________________________________________________________________
Job01 EXHAUST SYSTEM INSPECTION Labor: $29.40
__________________________________________________________________
INSPECT AND TEST EXHAUST PIPES AND MUFFLER FOR LEAKS, RATTLES,
AND OBSTRUCTIONS.


PIPE WAS CUT FROM THE HEAD PIPE TO THE TAIL PIPE. HANGERS AT THE
CATALYTIC CONVERTOR WERE CUT AND THE UPSTREAM OXYGEN SENSOR IS
MISSING (WIRES CUT). THIS COULD BE WHY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS
ON.
__________________________________________________________________
Job Subtotal: $29.40
__________________________________________________________________
Job02 EXHAUST SYSTEM R&R Labor: $245.00
__________________________________________________________________
REMOVE EXHAUST HANGERS TO DISCARD WORN OUT EXHAUST PARTS.
RE-HANG EXHAUST WITH NEW PRODUCT AND RUN VEHICLE TO ENSURE GOOD
FIT AND NO LEAKS.
__________________________________________________________________
GASKET 2.0 @ 5.86 =$ 11.72
GASKET 2.0 @ 4.38 =$ 8.76
CATALYTIC CONVERTOR 1.0 @ 476.98 =$ 476.98
MUFFLER 1.0 @ 268.98 =$ 268.98
HANGER 5.0 @ 4.19 =$ 20.95
GASKET 1.0 @ 5.44 =$ 5.44
AIR FUEL RATIO SENSOR 1.0 @ 213.18 =$ 213.18
FRONT CATALYTIC CONVER 1.0 @ 543.42 =$ 543.42
Job Subtotal: $1,794.43

__________________________________________________________________
Payments to Superior Automotive Service Cost Summary
__________________________________________________________________
Labor 274.40
Parts 1,549.43
Enviro/Shop Fee 10.98
Tax 174.30
Total $2,009.11
Payments 0.00
Bal Due 2,009.11

 

whats the point in that?





but OP.. i think thats a steep bill for it, but i've never had to deal with it so im not positive, but just looking at it, it shouldnt be 2k

 

Sounds about right, my neighbor's replacement cost $1500 for his Pathfinder. His insurance paid for his though.

 

yes they are ripping you off. You do not need the stock replacement cats as they are extremely expensive. I've heard some generic cats will work and cost a lot less than $1k for the 2.

good luck

 

$2000 sounds kinda high, but it looks like they gave you a whole new exhaust system from the headers up. The catalytic converters are not cheap and a whole new exhaust isn't either. The o2 sensor would throw the CEL

 

unles thats factory exaust its rediculous

 

Unfortunately, it tends to be a really expensive repair.

It's possible you might find a little better price in your area if you shop around, but no, I wouldn't say you're being "ripped off" with that estimate.

My cube mate had the cats stolen from his 4runner and the repair bill was something similar to that.

If you've got comprehensive insurance - probably a good idea to file a claim with them, unless they're on the verge of dropping you for some other reason.

Unfortunately, junkies like stealing cats from Tacomas/4runners because they're high up off the ground giving good access to the thief, combined with cats that contain a good mix of valuable scrap metals.

 

do second gen cats work on first gens?

 

Except that won't replace the missing catalytic converters at all.

 

i would say yes its a rip off. just doing a quick search for parts. new cats are around $200 on Rockauto. and a new O2 sensor is less than $100 again from Rockauto. Like you said if the muffler is still there and there was nothing wrong with it to begin with, there is no need for a new one.

 

that price is stupid for a muffler shop job when a factory exaust would b close and probably cheaper in price.

 

she has a first gen, only 2 cats.

 

Read through this thread...
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/off-topic-discussion/156805-thieves-getting-bolder.html#post3170214

The "Cat Clamp" is legit. If you see the "Cat Cuff" advertised do NOT send them money!!(rip off.)

 

All that RockAuto stuff sez "Not Legal For Sale in California."

So it's possible that since you're not in California, you can get a better price than I've seen by shopping around.

Still, most shops are going to expect you to file an insurance claim for this. So if you're NOT filing a claim and are paying out of pocket, you probably should make this clear up front while shopping for the estimate, and ask them to give you the lowest possible price estimate by e.g. reusing the existing muffler and using aftermarket cats; and let them know you're shopping around at multiple shops.

 

Thank everyone for your help. I got advice from all over the ball park. BUT at least i know more now. I think I got a bit ripped off as well maybe they can do some welding or something. I don't really think they were concern with me and giving me any breaks by taking some extra steps but that is what I get. I don't think I will go to them anymore.
Again all thanks for your time.

IF YOU READ THIS POST AND NEVER HEARD OF A CAT BEING STOLEN. Just type it in on the web and there will be a LIST!!!

 

my insurance doesn't cover it either!!!!!! Super Bummer since I make $14 an hour. Ya I think BJMOOSE....you hit it right on the nose. I got scammed. I told them my situation but I guess they weren't to sympathetic.

 

Wait, you already paid the 2 grand? Holy shit, they ripped you off big time, even though I'm sure you did not want to hear that. However, stolen cats are a huge problem, especially in California and especially on higher trucks. For some reason, Toyotas seem to be the most targeted. Thieves want the metal in the cat, they get a lot of money for it, but nothing compared to how much a new one costs.

 

For one, talk to your insurance. They should cover it (minus deductible. Second if it was a clean cut / removal, why are they replacing the entire exhaust system? Why not just replace the missing cat? As for theft of cats, yes it's popular on pre-tacomas (before 95), on 1st gens and on 4Runners. Not so much on 2nd gens (thank you Jesus). Check out Cat Clamp (for some reason TW blocks their URL .. any idea why guys?). The standard is around $150. Won't be total theft protection, but will slow down the lazy thief who will move on to easier prey. Others have welded / installed skid plate over theirs ... just make sure there's enough ventilation in that plate. If you live in a place where there are no emissions, just eliminate it altogether, and put a straight pipe in.

 

They recently caught 2 guys in the North bay for stealing Cat's from Toyotas they were taking between 10-40 a night and really messing up the shops that put them back in with that kind of a demand.

IDk about how to secure it, I heard some guys where having them welded .