Catalytic converter theft

• What is a catalytic converter and why are thieves stealing them from cars parked at LRT/MRT stations?

  In Cars, Feature Stories / By Harvinder Sidhu / 24 June 2023 5:18 pm / 36 comments

  

  

  

  Some of you might be aware of thieves stealing catalytic converters in Malaysia, something that has been happening with increasing frequency lately. The catalytic converter is part of a car’s exhaust system, and thieves have been targeting cars parked at LRT/MRT stations to steal them. Each catalytic converter is worth anything from RM500 to RM2,500. Thankfully, police have managed to catch two men involved in various catalytic converters thefts in the Klang Valley. But we don’t know if this is the end.

  What is a catalytic converter and why is it so valuable? A catalytic converter is a device used in the exhaust system of vehicles to reduce harmful emissions. It contains a matrix of materials coated with certain catalysts (like platinum, palladium, and rhodium) that promote chemical reactions converting harmful compounds into less harmful ones.

  Specifically, it converts carbon monoxide (a poisonous gas) into carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides (which contribute to smog and acid rain) into nitrogen and oxygen, and unburned hydrocarbons (which contribute to smog) into carbon dioxide and water.

  

  The catalytic converter was first introduced in the United States market in the 1975 model year to comply with tightening regulations on auto exhaust emissions. It was developed in response to the U.S. Clean Air Act of 1970, which set standards to reduce pollutants released by passenger vehicles.

  After its introduction in the United States, the use of catalytic converters spread gradually worldwide, driven by tightening emission standards in various countries. However, the pace of adoption varied significantly depending on the region.

  In Europe, for example, catalytic converters didn’t become widespread until the late 1980s and early 1990s, as leaded petrol, which is incompatible with catalytic converters, was still commonly used. In other parts of the world, the adoption of catalytic converters came even later.

  Unleaded petrol was introduced in Malaysia in the year 1994. We later fully phased out leaded petrol in 1999, which allowed for the use of catalytic converters in vehicles without the issue of the lead in the fuel deactivating the catalyst.

  Leaded petrol is incompatible with catalytic converters because the lead in the fuel can coat the catalyst materials. This coating essentially “poisons” the catalyst and prevents it from facilitating the chemical reactions that reduce harmful emissions.

  The lead interferes with the catalyst’s ability to promote reactions that convert carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides into nitrogen and oxygen, and unburned hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and water. That’s why the introduction of unleaded petrol was a crucial step in the widespread adoption of catalytic converters in vehicles.

  Anyway, due to their high value and increasing prices for these metals, thieves can sell stolen catalytic converters to scrap metal dealers. Removing a catalytic converter from the underside of a car can be relatively quick, especially for experienced thieves, making it an attractive target.

   

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• Police bust catalytic converter thieves targeting LRT, MRT carparks; 15 cases solved – metals were exported

  In Local News / By Danny Tan / 20 June 2023 1:02 pm / 10 comments

  

  Some of you might be aware of thieves stealing catalytic converters for the valuable metals inside the exhaust system component, but think that it only occurs overseas. Well, it has been happening here too, and police have just arrested two men involved in various catalytic converters thefts in the Klang Valley.

  According to a statement by Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan, it all started with a report made by a Toyota Estima owner on June 12. The MPV was parked at the MRT Serdang carpark in the morning and the owner returned to his MPV without the catalytic converter at night.

  On June 18, the cops made their first arrest at Tropicana Gardens Mall in PJ, and the first suspect (B1), a 34-year old Malaysian, led them to the arrest of the second suspect (B2), a 43-year old Malaysian in KL. In the arrests, cops seized a total of 46 catalytic converters worth an estimated RM35,000, as well as the equipment used to perform the thefts such as saws and jacks.

  

  

  B1 works as an assistant in a car spare parts shop in Subang, while B2 is a collection agent for exhaust parts in KL. The modus operandi of the duo is to target cars parked at unguarded LRT/MRT carparks, and they only steal catalytic converters from Toyota cars. B1 steals the items and passes them to B2, who then sells the loot to overseas buyers interested in the platinum, palladium and rhodium in the catalytic converter.

  Hussein says that B1 has been stealing catalytic converters since early June as there’s demand for the items from abroad. The cops estimate that each catalytic converter is worth anything from RM500 to RM2,500. With these arrests, the police say that they have solved 15 catalytic converter theft cases in the Klang Valley.

  The two suspects will be charged under Section 379A(1) of the penal code, and if found guilty, can be sentenced to jail of not less than a year and not more than seven years, and a fine.

  While this particular thief (B1) started cutting up cars this month, catalytic converters thefts have been happening for some time now in Malaysia, and we wrote about it last year – read more here.

   

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• Toyota offers catalytic converter shields as an optional accessory for the new Prius, other models in the US

  In Cars, International News, Toyota / By Gerard Lye / 22 December 2022 10:40 am / 7 comments

  

  Catalytic converter theft is a big problem in the United States, with the precious metals used in these emissions-reducing devices being the main target. Some cars are “favoured” by thieves more than others, and according to vehicle data company CARFAX, the Toyota Prius is ranked among the top ten most targeted cars in the country.

  Vehicle owners can protect their rides by installing catalytic converter anti-theft devices, and it looks like Toyota wants to make it more convenient for their customers to do so. For the 2023 Prius, the company is offering a catalytic converter shield through its Associated Accessory Products (AAP) programme for the price of USD140 (RM620).

  Called the Cat Shield, the shield is made by California-based company Miller Cat and mounts to existing points on the underside of the Prius without needing to drill new holes. Made from 5052 grade aluminium, it is said to provide a high level of protection, excellent strength and corrosion resistance, while a tamper-proof screw kit helps to test the determination of thieves.

  

  

  According to a report by Carscoops, Toyota also offers the Cat Shield for other vehicles, including older versions of the Prius as well as the Corolla, Sequoia, Tacoma, Tundra and 4Runner, with additional vehicles set to be added in the future. Given the cost of replacing a stolen catalytic converter can be over USD1,000 (RM4,433) for the Prius in the US, the price of a Cat Shield is pretty reasonable given the circumstances.

  This epidemic isn’t exclusive to the US, as we also have cases of catalytic converter theft in Malaysia. Consider preventative measures such as parking your car in a well-lit area, installing a catalytic converter anti-theft device and etching your vehicle’s identification number (VIN) on the converter and spraying it with a highly visible, high-heat paint.

   

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• Toyota Prius catalytic converter stolen, parked outside owner’s home – theft cases on the rise in Malaysia!

  In Cars, Local News / By Anthony Lim / 6 May 2022 12:56 pm / 18 comments

  

  While not at the level of certain countries, the trend of catalytic converter theft in the country looks to be on the rise, with more cases of such incidences coming about. Thieves are targeting the section of the exhaust housing the item, and no surprises as to why.

  The unit – which changes harmful substances found in exhaust gasses (carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide and hydrocarbons) into less harmful substances like carbon dioxide and water vapour by means of chemical reaction – contains various precious metals like platinum, rhodium and palladium in its construction.

  It is these metals, applied within the converter to act as a catalyst that reacts with exhaust gasses, that are being targeted, because they are worth more than their weight in gold, certainly in the case of the last two elements. Stolen items are sold off to scrap metal dealers for the value of the various precious metals, and that can fetch quite a bit.

  Last month, a woman revealed that the converter on her Honda City was stolen when the vehicle was parked at Glenmarie LRT station car park while her family took the train on an outing to Kuala Lumpur. While vehicles left in unattended public places might be more susceptible to such cases of theft, it seems that nowhere is safe, not even your own home.

  

  

  

  In a post on the Prius Club Malaysia FB page, Kuganesan S. revealed that the catalytic converter on his Toyota Prius was stolen, with the thieves jacking up the car and cutting off the section of the car’s exhaust housing the converter and oxygen sensor. He added that the replacement cost, as quoted by the service centre, is RM5,100, and that he has lodged a police report for an insurance claim.

  Unlike the case last month, the theft didn’t occur in a public spot, but rather in Kuganesan’s house, with the vehicle parked outside. Occurences such as these are becoming common – a friend had the converter on his Honda Odyssey, which was also parked just outside his house, stolen last year, and the replacment cost him a pretty penny.

  While it’s impossible to thwart theft completely, there are ways to hopefully prevent your vehicle from being a victim. If you’re going out, park in well-lit – and populated – areas when possible, and look into installing an anti-theft device on your catalytic converter or a vibration-triggered vehicle alarm.

  The last couple of items involve cost, for sure, but it saves you the extra cost down the line should the unit be liberated from your car. More so if you happen to own something like a Prius, which in the United States is right at the top of the target list for catalytic converter theft due to its converter having larger amounts of precious metals.

  

   

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• Vehicle exhaust stolen at quiet parking lot in Malaysia – thieves are targeting the valuable catalytic converter

  In Cars, Local News / By Gerard Lye / 22 March 2022 11:01 am / 19 comments

  

  A woman on Twitter recently took to Twitter to share her ordeal of having her Honda City’s exhaust pipe stolen. According to her post, the vehicle was parked at Glenmarie LRT station car park while her family took the train on an outing to Kuala Lumpur when the theft happened.

  In a follow-up tweet, she revealed it was the middle section of the exhaust system, which is where the catalytic converter is attached to, that was taken from her car. The catalytic converter is the prize here, as the thieves will then sell it off to a scrap metal dealer for the value of the various precious metals used in its construction like platinum, rhodium and palladium.

  A catalytic converter changes harmful substances found in exhaust gasses (carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide and hydrocarbons) into less harmful substances like carbon dioxide and water vapour by means of chemical reactions.

  Inside a catalytic converter, you’ll find a honeycomb structure typically made of ceramic onto which precious metals like those mentioned are applied to act as a catalyst that reacts with exhaust gasses. It is these precious metals that have an intrinsic value, making them a target for thieves as in this woman’s case.

  While we don’t often hear cases of catalytic converter theft here, it has become very prevalent in other countries. According to a report posted in March 2021 by the United States’ National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), there were 108 catalytic converter thefts per month on average in 2018, 282 average monthly thefts in 2019 and 1,203 average thefts per month in 2020.

  So, just how valuable are these precious metals then? As of the time of writing, gold is priced at around RM269.28 (22 karat) and RM293.68 (24 karat) per gram. Meanwhile, platinum is about RM140.67 per gram, palladium is around RM347.41 per gram, and rhodium is around RM2,545 per gram – prices were taken from various sources and could differ. A catalytic converter can have around one to seven grams of each precious metal on average, depending on the model and make.

  These figures are undoubtedly motivators for thieves to target catalytic converters, but there are some ways to hopefully prevent your vehicle from being a victim. These include always parking in well-lit areas when possible, installing an anti-theft device on your catalytic converter and setting up an alarm or camera system to catch the culprits.

  Painting the catalytic converter and inscribing your vehicle’s identification number (VIN) on the painted surface is another suggestion, as it can alert a honest scrap dealer that it was stolen and make it easier to identify the owner. Have you ever had your vehicle’s catalytic converter stolen before, as this woman has had to endure? Share your experience with us.

   

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