Another Catalytic Converter Theft

Topic: Another Catalytic Converter Theft (Read 2254 times) previous topic - next topic

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January 04, 2022, 10:31:37 pm

Yep… I got bit by the cat thieves… ouch!

I went to visit my relatives for the holidays and there wasn’t any place to keep the LD nearby. So I paid for a month at a RV storage lot in Las Vegas and then flew out to see the folks. I should have known better but as they say, hindsight is 20-20. Anyway, I flew into Las Vegas yesterday morning and took a Lyft ride out to the storage lot. Everything seemed OK until I turned over the engine. Then, SURPRISE… my brand new 2021 MB is making more noise than a Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Oh crud. I’m now deciding who to call first… police, insurance company, search for mechanic, LDOG. I end up calling my daughter and have her search for an auto repair that can replace the converter while I try to call the Las Vegas police. I get put on hold for half an hour before giving up but my daughter comes through with a winner. The place was 2 doors down from the storage lot and is called D.O.C. Auto Repair. I have no affiliation with them but I can say that they did an outstanding job for me. I told the owner (Damien) about my predicament and he walked with me over to the LD and crawled under it to inspect the damage. He took some pictures with my phone and said to give them to my insurance company. He then searched around and found a Ford OEM catalytic converter and made arrangements to have it delivered today. When it wasn’t on the early truck, he called and made a fuss and had them deliver it before noon. When it did arrive, he had it installed right away and had me on the road by 12:30. A very professional and courteous business and one I would recommend if in need of a mechanic in Las Vegas.

Now for the details because I know your going to ask. The Ford 7.3 liter V8 engine has only 1 catalytic converter and it’s a behemoth. His cost was $2114.29 and he charged me $20.45 for a gasket and $240 labor to install. With NV tax it came to $2553.52. The O2 sensor was also cutoff and taken during the theft but the replacement was on backorder. I was given the choice of installing an aftermarket sensor or having a plug installed and ordering the OEM sensor and installing it myself. I chose the latter and estimated delivery is early February by Summit Racing. The LD is displaying a CEL but no adverse effects that I can tell.

Progressive Insurance has been great. Yesterday I called in the claim and this afternoon an adjuster called me back. She had me send them the pictures of the cut exhaust pipe as well as the newly installed converter. I also sent them a picture of the police report that I got when I went to the police station and all my receipts; auto repair, hotel and Lyft rides. They’ll do a direct deposit to my bank of all cost minus the $500 deductible… well it wasn’t going to be all good news was it?

All in all it was a $500 lesson learned about leaving the LD unattended for a month. Locked storage lot or not, thieves will take what they can.

- John