On Sun, Aug 14, 2011 at 7:35 AM, Tom Hargrave <thargrav@hiwaay.net> wrote:

> The are stealing converters to sell to dishonest muffler shops & they sell
> them as new replacements to their customers. There is not much demand for
> Vanagon converters because of the van's age.
>
> Thanks, Tom Hargrave
> www.stir-plate.com
> www.towercooler.com
> www.kegkits.com
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Stephen Grisanti
> Sent: Saturday, August 13, 2011 11:15 AM
> To: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
> Subject: Converter thieves pass me by
>
> Just got an email from our next door neighbor alerting us that the
> catalytic
> converter was stolen from his Honda Pilot some time in the last 48 hours. I
> noticed exhaust flatulence when he drove off yesterday morning and never
> suspected that problem. My heart sank immediately, though, as I recalled my
> Westy up on ramps in the driveway butt out to the alley as the Pilot also
> parks.  "Great," I thought, "I just should have left my Sawzall plugged in
> for them to make the removal quicker and easier."  Guess they were
> brand-specific and not responding to the "Cash for old platinum" ads on TV.
>
> Took the van off the ramps and turned it around so the tail is now against
> the fence, just in case, but it might have been worth it if they had
> removed
> the entire exhaust system that needs to be replaced.
>
> Stephen
> -----
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That is just plain weird!  Of all the things to steal, why would someone
crawl under a vehicle and saw off the cat. converter?