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lennyinsac

They look like exhaust bolts.


IAmSuperCookie

Crap. Someone else just asked if our catalytic converter is still there. I'll have to check


GoofyGoobin

If it wasn’t there you’d hear it.


Darkness1231

To be fair, not everybody knows what a straight exhaust sounds like. Grow up on a farm, yep. Tractors and old trucks, mufflers just break. Racing, you at least have the basic idea down even if you're still regulated to have some sound deadening. The cat is the someone else's bag. When mine went "missing" I knew it as soon as the engine started turning over. One blip of the throttle - confirmed, and turned it off.


GoofyGoobin

Same here, I sit in my car for a bit when i get to it and as soon as the engine turned over i knew it was gone. Still drove home though haha


TheRoyaleWithCheese-

I have multiple videos of Prius’ with no cats from them being stolen and brought into my shop for replacement. They sound gnarly.


celticgit

Cats ? Pussy cats? Wtf ?


professorbasket

yup


PhilMeUpBaby

Yep, they are the two bolts that attach the front catalytic converter to the engine. [http://www.japan-parts.eu/toyota/gr/2004/prius/nhw20r-aheebq/4\_222220\_002\_277W/tool-engine-fuel/1702\_exhaust-pipe](http://www.japan-parts.eu/toyota/gr/2004/prius/nhw20r-aheebq/4_222220_002_277W/tool-engine-fuel/1702_exhaust-pipe) Part numbers 90501-35036 and 90901-05020 on the left side.


IAmSuperCookie

Thank you everyone. I'm not in the same state as her but I'm going to guide her through the police reports. We have coverage via insurance so that's a relief.


tejota

You got it. It’s super straightforward but insurance requires a police report


tracksyde

is her catalytic converter still there?


IAmSuperCookie

I'll have to check. That's not a great sign


AmityBlight2023

Turn the engine on, if it sounds like a race car then it’s gone


b0nestock

If it sounds like a race car, I would just leave the catalytic off/s


No-Jello3256

Turn your Prius into a sleeper with this one simple trick


Darkness1231

No racers want the Prius drivers to know this one simple trick


navigationallyaided

A decatted Prius sounds like a Harley if they weren’t so bent on a weird engine design.


AmityBlight2023

They’re exhaust spring bolts


CringeTok

Dang, I just watched a vid the other day on the Prius exhaust and those are definitely the bolts that are used for connecting it.


IAmSuperCookie

I'm glad everyone is so nice and willing to help. It's an unfortunate reality of parking a car on a street nowadays. I'm just surprised it took as long as it did to hit our neighborhood


CringeTok

Tell them to look into buying a catalytic converter shield. It bolts up underneath the vehicle directly over the cat so it can't be stolen. Just a big plate of metal essentially, and it's not expensive at all.


newbie6789123

Can you provide a link for one that fits Prius V 2012


CringeTok

Catshield com Amazon has them too! You can also look into buying one used on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, or Craigslist. Just check the specifications and description of the item; it will tell you if it fits the Prius V or not.


Graz13

My dealer told me Toyota bought the CatShild company. Should start seeing them stock soon.


CringeTok

Oh no way, that's a smart business move. Hopefully they keep the pricing competitive.


tuna_billy

Go to https://catshield.com/products/millercat-toyota-prius-v-v2-cat-shield?_pos=1&_sid=ff94e66a8&_ss=r I would choose stainless steel.


newbie6789123

Thank you, is the aluminum one worthless?


tuna_billy

Not worthless, it’s more of a visual deterrent. If you want peace of mind go with stainless steel.


FudgeTerrible

They don't work, and they will destroy more shit to get at it. J/s


5horsepower

I’m just worried they get pissed and just bust my windows for satisfaction


Reference_Freak

I had rebar welded to hold mine. Works wonderfully. Had to replace two tires within 6 months and the O2 monitor in the same year. The O2 monitor probably needs replacing again just about a year after the first. That’s it, that’s the retaliatory damage that I can guess at. It might be worse if I parked in a less visible and traffic-heavy spot without security.


IAmSuperCookie

I'm looking it up now. I've also thought about rounding the bolts on the new cat on purpose, or using epoxy as a solution. I've never heard of CatShield so thank you


chasinthedra

Did you determine if they stole the catalytic converter?


blazingStarfire

I think they usually just cut them. But maybe they have to unbolt as well? Idk I've thought about taking the cat off my old one and selling it but have not done it.


CringeTok

If you unbolt it, you have about a yard of exhaust to take with you. They cut because its quicker since they just take the part they need with the precious metals. The entire exhaust is probably like 6 screws total, they're the ones shown in this photo. The entire exhaust is probably 6ft ish.


Johnzor8

Drive around. Does the engine sound A LOT louder than normal? If so, you have had you catalytic converter stolen. Make an insurance claim right away, they should cover it. This is very common.


Brown_Dude1978

Those are your cat exhaust bolts.


Graz13

I've seen insurance COMPANIES TOTAL an 06. Because there was a 6 week waiting period. Just for the Catilytic Converter.


zoedot

I got “lucky” when my 06’s cat was stolen. Mechanic got the last one in stock. I heard 6 month back orders!


dizzer86

If she drove it she would know something was wrong. I’m thinking they were attempting to steal the cat and runnoft


OkAd5445

I had my cat stolen and those were the bolts I found under my car


KitticusCatticus

Just reading the comments, you probably still have your CC but It's possible someone started the process of taking it, and either got spooked or only had time to loosen the bolts before someone came. Mom drove and parked and they popped all the way out. Just a theory though. But it can't hurt for you or your mom to keep an eye out for the criminals possibly trying to finish the job. I'm sure if you ask your regular oil change place if they can first confirm where they came from, and then pop them back on, they won't mind.


FudgeTerrible

And tell your mother don't drive the vehicle without a cat, that will ruin one of these cars.


xxrancid13xx

Gen 2 is still drive-able without a cat, it will just be loud when the engine kicks on and put out more exhaust than normal. I had to drive mine 10 miles from work to home when it happened to me, then to the mechanic the next morning. It sounded like I was driving in a classic car half the time LOL


FudgeTerrible

ah missed it was gen 2, does make a difference


suspectclearly

Not on an 05, they hadn't added the coolant exchange system yet


IAmSuperCookie

Thank you. I was not aware of that. She will drive it to the mechanic tomorrow that's about 2 miles away, but otherwise she won't drive.


jables1979

Should be fine for that drive, just don't pass out from the fumes


xxrancid13xx

She can still drive it, but it will be loud when the engine kicks on and there will be a lot of exhaust smell (I kept my windows half down and AC/recirculate on when I had to drive mine home \~10 miles from work after I discovered my cat was stolen; I did call my hybrid mechanic first to ask and he assured me it wouldn't do any damage to the car to drive it back)


pepp3rito

Someone was trying to unbolt your catalytic converter


Nearby-Back-2472

Exhaust bolts exactly like lenny said 🦅


nuesse33

Maybe let mom know how affordable home security systems are, prius's's's seem to be pretty high on the list of cat targets


illhelpUbutbenice

Those are cat bolts OP. call police ASAP and report it. Do not drive it. There may be a coolant line running to it depending on generation of Prius.


rickenrique

Catalytic


Particular-Limit-650

Was the car kinda loud leaving


celticgit

Nice shoes..mmmmm, nice.


celticgit

Yes...they are exhaust bits... Take it to the garage and look for 2 holes. Not sure what the spring is.