First it was the theft of copper wire from construction sites and ripping the plumbing out of homes making life unnecessarily difficult for home builders with too few sales. Then it was vanishing manhole covers and sewer grates posing grave dangers for motorists and pedestrians as the purloined iron was turned in at unquestioning scrap metal dealers.
Catalytic converters contain three precious metals — platinum, palladium and rhodium — which have skyrocketed in price recently, sparking a rash of thefts from parked cars. Platinum currently trades at nearly $1,600 an ounce and rhodium trades at $2,450 an ounce. In the United States 1986-2004 Toyota 4Runners or pickups are key targets Catalytic converters are the size of small mufflers and sit between the engine and muffler on a vehicle’s exhaust system. The metals help convert some of the nastier engine exhaust gases to stuff that isn’t so damaging. For example, carbon monoxide, which is deadly to humans, is converted to carbon dioxide, which is absorbed by trees.
A thief armed with a battery-powered hacksaw can roll under a car, particularly a four-wheel drive with high ground clearance, and cut off a converter in two minutes. On the black market, the converters will bring anywhere from $30 to $200 cash, as is, depending on the size and make of the unit. A converter on a 1996 Toyota is worth $60-$70. Some New Toyota trucks have four separate catalytic converters on their exhaust systems, all easily accessed from underneath.
So Kiwis, that’s the American trend. Well, one thing is for sure, our thieves will be on to this soon if they aren’t already…