Rx400H Catalytic Converter Theft

[Barry14UK]

Hi Barbara,

Sorry you have fallen foul of these scumbags.  The first thing you have to decide is how you are going to deal with this. The cost of fitting a genuine replacement will be high and you might have to wait because there is likely to be a back order from Lexus meaning quit a wait.  If you claim on your insurance the chances are that your premium will be loaded on renewal.  The alternatives then are that you have a length of pipe fitted to replace the cat for permanent or temporary use.  This is illegal.  Otherwise you could get a cheaper aftermarket cat fitted and if you wish help secure this by one of the protective devices mentioned in this thread.  If you park in the same place regularly the thieves may target you again.  No device will guarantee that your cat will not be stolen but because this is literally a cut and run crime any device fitted may make the thieves leave your car and move to an easier target.

Let us know how you get on.

 

[pandaffs]

Hi all, another RX400H owner in the same boat.  Had my cat stolen in September, just got the car back after a 6 week wait and hate the trepidation everytime I go to turn ignitiion that it will have happened again.  I want to fit an anti-theft device but don't know what to go for, as when I looked at them I felt all would only offer minimal protection.  In the same vein as Barbara, does anyone have advice?  Have there been any reports from anyone who has fitted any of the devices Barry mentions subsequently had their cat stolen?  Is it safe to say that no reports of theft with such a device fitted indicates they are doing the intended job, or is it just that no one if bothering to fit them? 

[LatinUnit]

Just had my catalytic converter stolen from my RX400h around Paddington, what are the specifications of an aftermarket replacement? so that I can purchase it and ask a welder friend to weld it? mechanics are charging £500 and from what I read on this thread the aftermarket costs less than £100.

Update: Looking at videos on youtube, there is no need for welding if clamps are used? can someone please advise whats the process.

 

[Andre2000]

8 hours ago, LatinUnit said:

Just had my catalytic converter stolen from my RX400h around Paddington, what are the specifications of an aftermarket replacement? so that I can purchase it and ask a welder friend to weld it? mechanics are charging £500 and from what I read on this thread the aftermarket costs less than £100.

Update: Looking at videos on youtube, there is no need for welding if clamps are used? can someone please advise whats the process.

 

I used Flowtech Exhausts ( East London ) to do my fitting of an aftermarket Universal Catalytic Convertor. Old school exhaust welders, am not sure about clamps.  Around £100 & take a couple of hours, also being exhaust specialist they have all the required bespoke pipes and other necassary bits bearing in mind the thieves just cut each side of the Cat. 
 

If your car is under Lexus Warranty I think you would have to have Lexus do the work with genuine Lexus parts.
 

 

[rich1068]

This thread is astonishing. 

[LatinUnit]

can someone point to which aftermarket catalytic converter fits rx400h?

[Andre2000]

 

7 minutes ago, LatinUnit said:

can someone point to which aftermarket catalytic converter fits rx400h?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Magnaflow-200-Zeller-Metal-Sport-Catalytic-Converter-Lexus-Rx-2-1-8in-M4a/303279328247?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

 

I should point out this is a universal fit. So will need a little modification on the pipe end ( not exact fit) not really an issue for a exhaust fitter as they will have many pipes of different dimensions. Also I ordered the metal not the ceramic which is also available.

 

Andrew

[Barry14UK]

Don't know what resources the Police are putting into ending this form of theft but maybe some (more ?) 'bait cars' observed by police and when culprits found  hopefully they will get hefty sentences (or be deported where applicable).  Such cases would need to be widely publicized in the hope it would deter others.  Maybe insurers could exercise pressure on the Police to be more proactive.

 

 

 

 

 

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[Lager shandy]

I have a reel off oven tin foil to match what you have on it already lol or you could just fit one of these all you need is pipe diameter and correct lenght .

[LatinUnit]

Any reason why you bought CPSI 200 metal catalytic over the 400 Ceramic? performance? does your car sound a lot louder compared to before also?

 

10 hours ago, Andre2000 said:

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Magnaflow-200-Zeller-Metal-Sport-Catalytic-Converter-Lexus-Rx-2-1-8in-M4a/303279328247?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

 

I should point out this is a universal fit. So will need a little modification on the pipe end ( not exact fit) not really an issue for a exhaust fitter as they will have many pipes of different dimensions. Also I ordered the metal not the ceramic which is also available.

 

Andrew

 

[LexusPartsDirect]

Please let us know if we can help any of you with discounted Catalytic Converters. This has become such a problem in the UK that we just today reduced our prices further to support the Lexus community. Please do get in touch if you are unable to find the correct Cat for your car on our website.

https://www.lexuspartsdirect.co.uk/what-is-a-catalytic-converter-and-why-it-is-a-common-target-for-thefts/

[LatinUnit]

Hi, do we know whats the diameter of the exchauxt pipe on the original part?, below are the diameters of the magnaflow catalytics, i need to know which diameter to choose which matches the original exhaust pipe or at least get an exhaust sleeve/adaptor/connector

1. Connection diameter:   54 mm / 2 inches
2. Connection diameter:   60 mm / 2,25
3. Connection diameter:   70 mm / 2,756
4. Connection diameter:   60 mm / 2,3
5. Connection diameter:   48 mm / 1,75

 

[Ncosta]

Just had my rx400h cat converter stolen from a car park in Park Royal West London. Expensive trip to Cinema with kids. 

Car park attendant saw nothing. Happened in during day so great job. 

Now have weeks without car to look forward to. 

Reported to police so let's see how that goes,!! 

 

[lukeyboy2k]

Had mine taken on Thursday in Brentford, West London.

 

I've had a straight through de-cat pipe fitted by my local exhaust fabricator for £40 all in as a temporary measure. Car is a tiny bit louder than previous, and seems to be a bit faster. Every cloud 😉  . Hopefully there are no long term detrimental effects by reducing this restriction.

[Lager shandy]

Luke you naughty boy your have the forum police onto you sprouting such sensible info lol .😁

[Barry14UK]

Not much in this that we didn't know already but perhaps more people will now be aware of this type of theft and hopefully somebody will spot theft 'during the act' leading to the thieves being caught. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7744581/New-breed-thieves-steal-catalytic-converters-car-minutes.html 

[COSI73]

Anyone needing a catalytic conveter.   Try calling CATMAN UK.  

Will get you out of trouble in no time.

[Ben S]

Be wary of ordering from Catman. He supplied an expensive (£285 + postage) cat for my RX400h, second hand, and my garage said it was unsuitable for fitting. Very frustrating. I explained this over the phone and Catman agreed to send a newer model he had coming in, but it was more expensive and I'd have to pay again until such time as I was able to return the first one, when he'd issue a full refund to the value of the more expensive ones as a gesture of goodwill for my inconvenience. When I returned the original though and asked for my refund, he went back on his word and was now insisting on charging me the new higher price, so I only got the refund for my £285 + postage... even though it was his unsuitable original cat that meant my car sat in the garage for an extra two weeks. Avoid. 

[Jackyboy]

Mid October I had the cat stolen from my RX400h and it took them about 30 seconds at the most - all on cctv. It's the greater ground clearance and the proximity to the edge of the car underneath the driver's side that made it so easy. Have a part now at my dealer and apparently Lexus will have a Catloc similar to the Toyota one in the New Year so am waiting for both to be done - all through insurance company. Anyone know anything about efficiency of the Toyota Catloc? BTW they don't need to jack up the RX400h.

[GerryC]

Evening all. I had my Cat stolen in a NHS carpark in Epping. So disgusted!!! 

Can anyone advise if fitting s temporary piece of pipe will cause the engine management light to come on or damage the engine in any way?

RX 400H 

Thanks

Gerry

 

sorry if this has been covered elsewhere in the post...

 

 

 

[Andre2000]

If you look through the thread you can see there are some options of where to buy. Also get a specialist exhaust fitter to do the work so if it does not fit exactly it will not be an issue.

 

I had my new cat fitted from an exhaust specialist in East London. Flowtech Exhausts In Chadwell Heath. Google them, there are many happy customers for a reason.

 

 

 

 

 

[COSI73]

1 hour ago, GerryC said:

Evening all. I had my Cat stolen in a NHS carpark in Epping. So disgusted!!! 

Can anyone advise if fitting s temporary piece of pipe will cause the engine management light to come on or damage the engine in any way?

RX 400H 

Thanks

Gerry

 

sorry if this has been covered elsewhere in the post...

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, GerryC said:

Evening all. I had my Cat stolen in a NHS carpark in Epping. So disgusted!!! 

Can anyone advise if fitting s temporary piece of pipe will cause the engine management light to come on or damage the engine in any way?

RX 400H 

Thanks

Gerry

 

sorry if this has been covered elsewhere in the post...

 

 

 

It won’t trip the engine management light but will make the exhaust sound loud.  Also will fail the Mot.  I would highly advise you to fit an after market catalytic converter and to make sure it’s welded on.  If you would like any further help you can private message me.  
 

 

[Andre2000]

On 11/21/2019 at 1:28 PM, Andre2000 said:

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Magnaflow-200-Zeller-Metal-Sport-Catalytic-Converter-Lexus-Rx-2-1-8in-M4a/303279328247?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

 

I should point out this is a universal fit. So will need a little modification on the pipe end ( not exact fit) not really an issue for a exhaust fitter as they will have many pipes of different dimensions. Also I ordered the metal not the ceramic which is also available.

 

Andrew

 

1 hour ago, GerryC said:

Evening all. I had my Cat stolen in a NHS carpark in Epping. So disgusted!!! 

Can anyone advise if fitting s temporary piece of pipe will cause the engine management light to come on or damage the engine in any way?

RX 400H 

Thanks

Gerry

 

sorry if this has been covered elsewhere in the post...

 

 

 

Better to get after market Cat and have it fitted as per my previous post. There is no point in paying twice for a job or for that matter paying over the odds. Unless Lexus do the work of course.

[kenloen]

my RX400h had the Cat stolen last night at around 12:30 am from the KT20 area.

3 lads in an Audi A4 with full tinted windows, the colour was black, might have been a matt black. Brazen as you like. Parked right across my driveway. I heard a screeching noise like a slipping fan belt, looked out the window and realised what was going on, shouted at them but they just looked up and carried on. By the time I was dressed and downstairs with my bat they'd took it and gone.

Police were good, arrived in around 10 mins, said they had 3 patrols arriving from 3 directions, but nothing. Got a feeling the thieves would have headed towards Sutton so Met Police rather than Surrey - don't know if they communicate....

booked into Mr Exhaust for today for universal cat £400. Mr Exhaust tells me another is also booked in for today and they are doing loads of them..

If there is so many happening its surely hight on the radar for the Police??

[Barry14UK]

I wonder if number plate of the A4 was noted, although may have been false or car stolen.  Really needs  a dedicated  Police squad with 'bait' cars under scrutiny  to catch these thieves. This would take Police resources at the outset but if it stops or greatly reduces the crime  and need for subsequent Police time after the thefts, surely worthwhile.