Catalytic Converter Stolen, What Should I Do?
Have you noticed more noisy cars than usual when out driving lately? It may not be due to drivers opting for a loud, racy exhaust system. It could be that they just had their catalytic converter stolen.
Catalytic Converters are devices in the exhaust system of every gas vehicle. They have a material inside that heats up to an extremely high temperature which burns unburnt fuel exiting your engine. This aids in emissions reduction (the bad stuff).
Thieves are getting under cars and cutting catalytic converters out of vehicles due to their valuable scrap value. The rare earth materials within them are worth a considerable amount on the scrap market and it only takes a thief a few minutes to remove them.
We, Elite Auto Repair, have replaced 8 of these this week alone and have replaced dozens of them over that last few months. They are getting stolen at an alarming rate and its somewhat difficult to protect these exhaust devices from getting stolen.
If you have had your catalytic converter stolen you should consider a few things.
- This is a covered loss if you have comprehensive insurance on your vehicle (subject to your deductible of course).
- Catalytic converters are available from your vehicle manufacturer and many aftermarket sources which are generally less expensive.
- The parts you need may depend on how and what was cut out of your vehicle. May times we find that thieves do not take the time to disconnect wires, sensors and mounting flanges that are attached to catalytic converters. Consequently, these times will need to be purchased as well, which drives up repair cost.
We recommend going to your local independent mechanic shop for repairs. They should give you several repair options that your insurance company and dealership won’t provide. Local independent repair shops can work with your insurance company if you are fortunate enough to have this coverage.
Give us a call if you live within the general Tempe, Chandler or greater Phoenix area and we can surely guide you through this repair process.
My Car Is Overheating! What Could Be Wrong? What Do I Do?
Why is my car overheating?
These are some possible causes if your car is overheating.
- Improperly Circulating Coolant
- There’s a Leak
- A Hose Needs Replacing
- Internal Debris in Cooling System
- Malfunctioning Thermos Stat
- Malfunctioning Cooling Fan
- Blocked Air Inlet to Radiator
- Damaged Radiator
What’s Wrong If My Battery Or Charging System Light Comes On?
updated May 08, 2020
Possible Causes of Automotive Charging System / Battery Problems:
- Bad Battery
- Bad Alternator
- Bad Voltage Regulator
- Wiring Problem
- Bad Belt Driving the Alternator
- Something Placing a Drain on the Electrical System (large or small)
My Car’s A/C Is Not Cold. What Could be Wrong?
Car’s A/C System Not Cold? Here Are Some Possible Problems:
There are many reasons why your cars a/c system may not be blowing cold air. This is a short list of some possible reasons. You will find out what you may be able to do below and also learn the basics of an auto ac system in the video below.
- Vehicle needs to be recharged
- There’s a Freon leak
- The AC compressor may not be engaging
- The blend doors inside the vehicle may be stuck
- Blower motor or wiring issue
- Debris within the sealed system (lines, compressor, condenser, evaporator, dryer, orifice tube)
- Air inlet blockage to the cooling condenser
How to do a Disc Brake Job the Right Way
updated may 08, 2020
Why do we need another article on how to do a disk brake job? This article will give you the know-how and numerous tips to help you solve common braking issues on today’s vehicles. In this article, I will give you professional advice and technician-accredited tips that we’ve been using at our shop for years.
Check Engine Light On in Tempe, AZ?
Every year our cars are getting more powerful, more miles per gallon, and better technology. Under the skin, to give you all this, your car is also getting more complicated. Where old electrical and mechanical systems used to move you, new computer systems are faster and more accurate than ever before.
Is My Mechanic Honest?
Considering there are some 800,000 auto mechanics in the US, about one for every 316 cars, it makes sense that most drivers don’t know much about cars. Unfortunately, dishonest mechanics might exploit that inexperience, overcharging for auto repairs or suggesting unnecessary and expensive services, to name a few. How do you know if your mechanic is being honest?
Ford and Heinz: Car Parts Made Of…Tomatoes?
Yes, you heard that right…the two companies are looking into using tomato fibers for making automobile parts! They’re testing the durability of this idea in relation to car wiring brackets and storage containers. Something like this is obviously very bio-friendly, as it employs tomato skins.
First Look, First Drive Of The 2015 Lexus NX
The 2015 Lexus NX is a luxury compact crossover and competes with vehicles like Audi Q5 and BMW X3. The design is aggressive and the features are impressive. Although late to the upscale, small SUV party, the Lexus NX is far more than a fancy Toyota RAV4. Rather than typical Lexus plushness, the NX aims to be sporty and engaging. Engines include a new turbo four-cylinder (this is the first ever Turbo from Lexus for the American market) and a hybrid. Let’s take a look…
8 Ways To Prepare Your Car For Winter
Here in the Valley Of The Sunwe mainly know “winter time” as simply “not quite as hot as summer”. Winterizing your car might not seem applicable. However, if you live up north, like the Flagstaff area, or you plan to travel in northern Arizona this winter, the following information may be of interest and importance to you. While today’s cars don’t require much extra maintenance to turn on in the coldest months, sometimes even with a remote starter from the warmth of your kitchen, there are still a few things that you can do to make sure that your automobile is in top shape this winter.