Cats stolen…..

[FaaWrenchBndr]

So here’s an odd question.
I’m trying to help a friend out. Seems he went to Chicago for a few days for some business deal. He took his 24 powerboost, I don’t think it matters, but he’s got a lariat.

Rate somebody stole his converters off his truck at a rather higher end hotel. Seems there were a few trucks/cars involved. No direct security footage

Anyrate, a local dealer up there is saying it’s gonna be about $4k to replace.
Now he found a set of converters for I think he said 1500 bucks at a salvage yard. 24 model truck, had like 700 miles on it. It was rolled.

Now here’s the crazy part, they told him they cannot use salvage parts. Has anyone ever heard this crap before? I’ve seen and heard body shops use salvage parts whether it be fenders doors you know whatever all the time.

Could this be dealer BS or insurance crap?

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[Buyer2021]

they told him they cannot use salvage parts.

Though this theft-loss is not a warranty issue, a dealer may (reasonably, IMO) elect not to install other than new replacement cats because the truck is still within its emissions system warranty coverage (cats and related have defect coverage for 8yrs/80k miles).

They (or Ford) may not 'allow' installation of other-than-new cats because they have no way to 'track' those cats as salvage-source replacements, nor any way to detect latent defects they may suffer (however unlikely), in case of future cat-failure related warranty claims.

Wouldn't you agree that salvage cats should not be eligible for any future warranty coverage based on latent parts defects (or any other warranty coverage for trouble caused by cat issues)?

One possible 'solution' for your friend is locating an independent shop that is willing to install the salvage cats.

Me, I'd file a vandalism-loss claim under my comprehensive insurance coverage and have new 'fully warranted' cats installed by a dealer ($1500 for the salvage cats, and then installation cost, is likely more than any insurance deductible that may be in play; single vandalism or infrequent 'no-fault' comp claims usually don't affect future policy rates). YMMV.

 

[flatag]

Suddenly that cat shield I installed 6 months ago doesn’t seem as expensive as when I bought it.

 

[FirstFord]

Yeah, I installed the Raptor skid plate specifically to be a cat-theft deterrent; makes the bad guys look for an easier target....

I'll admit that I am guilty of the thought of wondering how many salvage yard cats are actually stolen? Ironic as well if he was buying his own cats back!

 

[honda250xtitan]

sucks.

i'd prolly use that as an excuse to go full exhaust with aftermarket high flow cats though.

 

[jhelrey]

Or get the check from the insurance company for the dealership quote and then buy the salvage cats and install them instead, pocketing the extra $$$.

 

[Buyer2021]

Or get the check from the insurance company for the dealership quote and then buy the salvage cats and install them instead, pocketing the extra $$$.

Surprised that wasn't the first response immediately after my post.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

I didn’t think anything about the insurance or dealers and used converters, that’s a good thought.

i’d be thinking about putting high flow converters on versus going back with factory

 

[SteelCity]

Had mine cut off years and years ago from a Grand Am that I still have today. Filed an insurance claim for mine since it was going to be like $1,000 and it was under comprehensive so $100 deductible for me. Had emmissions inspection where I lived so they cautioned me about used or aftermarket cats just in case

 

[SALEEN961]

Now here’s the crazy part, they told him they cannot use salvage parts. Has anyone ever heard this crap before?

Installing a used catalytic convertor that hasn't been properly tested and labeled is illegal and this is likely a big part of why the dealership is refusing. Like every other business that sells parts, the dealer also sells parts for a profit and may not want to do the job unless they supply the parts.

In most cases, customers bring in the wrong parts, forget to order gaskets and hardware, or bring in stuff that is illegal for us to install. In these cases we waste a bunch of time on a job that was never paying properly to being with and no one is happy with the outcome. Refusing the job is their best option.

 

[Savannah Power]

No responsible shop will install used cats...there is a law against doing that with stiff fines. Just the EPA protecting us (LOL)

 

[Chappy133]

The “right” mechanic might install those salvage cats for a cash install. Worked for me on a car of ours years ago.

 

[Chris GTO TT]

Or get the check from the insurance company for the dealership quote and then buy the salvage cats and install them instead, pocketing the extra $$$.

Depends on if he owns the truck outright or not. Typically if there's a lien on the title the lien holder will require the item gets fixed your insurance knows this and will not just cut a check.

 

[spazzyfry123]

Not catalytic-specific (so any legality aside), but as an OEM that would presumably offer a warranty for their work (and by extension resume any remaining warranty terms), I would only install what I source. Last thing anyone wants in service is for someone to come back for rework that's related to a part of unknown origin.

I'd refuse to the do work as well. But I think that stems from what is now our current overly litigious society...

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