The catalytic converter is often found in the exhaust system on the underbelly of an automobile or truck, between the engine and the muffler. It resembles another muffler in certain ways.
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Why are catalytic converters on Honda Accords stolen?
What draws burglars to Honda vehicles? Honda vehicles are a target due to their hybrid powertrains. Honda automobile catalytic converters will sell for greater money when resold. They are quite simple to steal for thieves who use jacks and angle grinders to remove them.
How can I tell if the catalytic converter in my Honda Accord is stolen?
When you start the engine, you’ll be able to detect that your catalytic converter was stolen even though you can’t tell by looking at your automobile. Your car will produce a loud roaring sound when the catalytic converter has been removed, and the sound will increase louder as you press the gas pedal.
Are there two catalytic converters in a Honda Accord?
One catalytic converter is standard in most automobiles. However, if your vehicle has a dual exhaust system, it will also have two catalytic converters. You might notice one or more of these warning signals if your catalytic converter needs to be replaced: The engine check light is on.
A catalytic converter is not required for an automobile to operate.
The catalytic converter works as a component of an automobile’s exhaust system to lessen air pollution. Driving without a catalytic converter won’t in any way harm your engine or your vehicle.
How can I stop someone from stealing my catalytic converter?
Three measures to prevent the theft of catalytic converters
- 1) Write the number from your license plate onto the catalytic converter. Law enforcement can identify the part because of this.
- 2) Park in locations that are well-lit.
- 3) Set up a theft prevention system.
Catalytic converters are most frequently stolen from what kinds of vehicles?
Despite the fact that thefts of catalytic converters are frequently crimes of opportunity, many criminals target particular vehicles because of the cost of the catalytic converter, the prevalence of the vehicles, and the ease with which the catalytic converter may be accessed.
CARFAX discovered that the following automobiles are the most frequently targeted for catalytic converter theft by consulting their partner repair facilities:
These are merely the models, though, whose catalytic converters are stolen most frequently. Depending on a few additional conditions, your car may also be vulnerable to catalytic converter theft. Here is an example of the car kinds that are even more vulnerable to catalytic converter theft:
Luxury vehicles
With a staggering price tag of $3,770 per unit, the Ferrari F430 wins the Most Valuable Catalytic Converter Award. Given that the F430 has two converters, they make for a sizable target for thieves.
Catalytic converters for Lamborghinis are likewise exceedingly expensive, costing on average $3,000 each.
Hybrid vehicles
The catalytic converter of a car tends to be more valued the more emission-friendly the vehicle is. The entire cost of these automobiles rises because they require more of the pricey metal palladium.
Older vehicles
Catalytic converters in larger, older automobiles are more valuable than those in newer, more efficient vehicles because to their concentration of valuable metals and general lack of environmental friendliness.
SUVs and trucks
Two factors influence the targeting of larger vehicles and SUVs. First off, a bigger engine translates into a more expensive catalytic converter. For instance, at a startling $2,000, the catalytic converters on the Dodge Ram 2500 are almost as valuable as those on Ferraris.
Second, their height from the ground makes it simpler for thieves to steal their converters.
Other models with valuable catalytic converters
Of course, there are vehicles that don’t fit into any one category but feature catalytic converters that are more useful for a variety of reasons.
How can I safeguard my Honda Accord’s catalytic converter?
View our recently created Cat Shield for the 2.4L 2003–2007 Honda Accord. For the Honda Accord vehicles from 2003 to 2007, we have now created a Cat Shield. Visit the following link to get yours right away! For tips on how to keep your Accord safe from theft, keep reading. Get a Cat Shield for your Honda Accord.
Honda Accords have quickly risen on the thieves most wanted list of vehicles to target
Here are some explanations:
- The converters in the 2.4L 4 cylinder 2003–2007 Accords are simple to steal. One major converter is the only one that is totally exposed.
- Thieves will try to steal your converter if you have one of the “rarer” Accords out there, but they will steal practically any Accord converter. A Honda Accord with a SULEV sticker is sought after by thieves. Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle is referred to as SULEV. To achieve the lowest feasible emissions level, SULEV Accords were built with more precious metals than other Accords. On the black market, the value of these converters is among the greatest. There aren’t many of them, but if you encounter one, check to see if it has a SULEV sticker on the rear driver-side quarter panel window. If you have this sticker, remove it so that thieves won’t be aware of your converter unicorn.
Unfortunately it is difficult to make a shield for Honda Accords for three reasons.
- The converter is totally exposed, and there are no features or mounting locations that may be used to create a shield. It will take time to try to engineer a design that will be efficient and not too expensive, but it doesn’t mean we won’t try.
- There aren’t many Accords with original equipment converters. We cannot guarantee fitment for aftermarket components because all of our shields are individually created and fitted for OEM converters. Our shields might not be compatible with Accords that have aftermarket converters because there are so many of them.
- In comparison to OEM converters, there are several aftermarket converters for Accords that are less expensive (with the exception of the SULEV Accords). When weighed against the price of a replacement converter, the expense of a shield and installation might not be worthwhile.
Here are some helpful tips that may save your catalytic converter
- If you have a SULEV sticker, remove it.
- Include a V6 emblem on your car. Due to the fact that the V6 Accord has three converters, two of which are situated close to the engine and are challenging to steal, these cars may be less likely to be stolen. A burglar might be aware of this and consider whether to try to take the converter by looking for a dual exhaust, which is a feature of V6 Accords, or the V6 insignia.
How much is a catalytic converter for a Honda Accord worth?
Catalytic converter replacement cost estimation for the Honda Accord. Replacement catalytic converters for Honda Accords typically cost between $2,319 and $2,466. The cost of labor is expected to be between $97 and $122, while the cost of parts is between $2,222 and $2,344.
Does a stolen catalytic converter cause the check engine light to turn on?
Even though it isn’t immediately visible, if your car makes a loud noise when you start it, someone may have stolen your catalytic converter. Your Check Engine light can also come on, and the higher pollutants may give you a headache.
Since its introduction in 1974, the catalytic converter has been a crucial part of every fuel-powered vehicle made. The majority of the hazardous gas emissions from your cars are transformed into carbon dioxide and water vapor by this device. Sadly, because catalytic converters are made of precious metals, they are a desirable target for thieves.
Honda catalytic converters: Are they worthwhile?
Honda catalytic converters typically have better values than average and are simple to recognize as OEM (what’s that?). You would think that Honda, one of the most well-known automakers, would do a better job of numbering or classifying their catalytic converters, but they don’t. Honda has a very subpar and insufficient system for its catalytic converters, while being one of the most expensive catalytic converter brands.
The majority of the units are not labelled with serial numbers, and many do not even have the logo, while a small number have numbers imprinted on them. This makes it more difficult and complex for scrappers to understand about.
How quickly can a catalytic converter be stolen?
How Are They Taken By Thieves? Unfortunately, it’s fairly simple to steal a catalytic converter. Typically, thieves use a reciprocating saw powered by a battery to slide underneath a car and cut the exhaust line directly. It takes around two to three minutes and generates the same amount of noise as any power tool.
What is the scrap value of a catalytic converter from a Honda Accord?
Catalytic converters for General Motors are pricey, costing about $1,000 when new. They have a poor scrap value that ranges from $150 to $250.
- The cost of a GM AC/BL thin pipe catalytic converter is about $160.
- The cost of a GM AC/BL thick pipe catalytic converter is about $310.
- The cost of a GM medium 4Dot catalytic converter is approximately $216.
Are there catalytic converters in Honda Accords?
This is because the catalytic converter on your Honda Accord lowers your vehicle’s emissions, preventing dangerous gases from entering the atmosphere.
Honda catalytic converters’ lifespan is unknown.
The catalytic converter typically lasts 10 years or longer and should only be updated when necessary. It transforms dangerous emissions into harmless gas. It may get physically harmed, blocked, or polluted with engine coolant or oil. It can also get too hot.
Reduced performance and/or starting problems
Your catalytic converter’s ceramic honeycomb structure is prone to deterioration, corrosion, and fragmentation. Age, external factors, or other factors may be the cause of this. As a result, the catalytic converter may clog and obstruct the usual passage of exhaust gases through it and the rest of the exhaust system. This will have a direct impact on the engine’s performance, possibly to the point where you can’t even start your automobile. You might observe:
- inadequate power
- No start for the engine
- Misfiring
- the requirement to accelerate more quickly to achieve a sufficient level of power
- Hesitation
- decreased fuel efficiency
- sluggish acceleration
- Stalling
A rattling sound from underneath your car
You might hear them rattling around inside your catalytic converter when the engine starts, runs, or when your automobile hits a bump or a pothole if the ceramic particles inside of it fragment into smaller pieces.
A sulfurous, rotten egg smell from your exhaust
After the fuel-air mixture is burned in the cylinders, the sulfur in your gasoline is converted into foul-smelling hydrogen sulfide gas inside your engine. The hydrogen sulfide is transformed into the odorless sulfur dioxide when your catalytic converter is operating normally. A defective catalytic converter won’t be able to process the hydrogen sulfide, therefore it will exit your exhaust unprocessed and smell strongly like rotten eggs.
Your Check Engine light comes on
All of the emissions-related equipment in your automobile is continually being monitored by the engine computer. The Check Engine light on your dashboard will come on if the computer determines that your catalytic converter is malfunctioning. A mechanic can retrieve a trouble code that will also be shown on the computer. This will assist the mechanic in identifying the precise source of the issue.
You fail an emissions test
If you live in a region where your automobile must undergo emissions testing, you can learn that your catalytic converter is defective when your car fails a required smog or vehicle emissions test. This could be as a result of the test finding a catalytic converter-related issue code in your engine computer, in which case your Check Engine light is likely lit, or as a result of the test finding an excessive amount of unburned fuel in your exhaust.