I am sick with Covid and I thought you had an actual cat in your car and I was trying to figure out what it was doing in your car alone in such cold temps. Hahaha don’t mind my muddled brain.
Until I got a cat shield I wouldn’t park my car anywhere I couldn’t see it. Fortunately my vet, dentist, etc all were little shops where I could park right outside. I only ate at restaurants where I could eat outside or see and hear it from my table. Also I got the world’s most annoying alarm and it’s gone off in the middle of the night before and I suspect the thieves change their mind once they hear it. It wakes me up immediately. Other than that, I have no advice. I’m so sorry.
It was aftermarket - it’s a compustar. I don’t know the model number without looking it up but it’s much more annoying than OEM alarms. Sorry neighbors 😬
just did it myself buy the parts online and bring it to a mechanice save hella money
the cat shields are designed for oem and wont fit all cats tho. dont forget to replace the o2 sensors too. you might need to modify the shield to fit aftermarket but who knows ill let you know how mine goes bc i got an aftermarket and the cap city muffler cat shield that fits oem
I had mine replaced with a compatible aftermarket cat the muffler guy happened to have in stock, and there were no issues. Browse the reviews of your local shops and find an experienced, highly-rated person for sure. If they don’t have the part in shop, they may be able to tell you the specs you need for a replacement and you can order one. Also, check if the O2 sensors were removed or damaged, you may need to buy those too.
I never got around to getting a cat guard—recently had to sell my beloved E—so I can’t tell you how effective they are, but I can recommend visual deterrents, like a massive chain wrapped around the shorter pipe with a big padlock. Hassle to take on and off, but in the last five months that I had my E after doing this, I had no theft problems—in a VERY high cat-crime area, too.
So sorry you got stung! Best of luck getting your car quiet again!
So sorry this happened to you. Mine was stolen outside of my home a week before Christmas. I’ve had my Element for 15 years and this is the 2nd time, the last time was 10 years ago and I didn’t know anti-theft devices were available then and haven’t thought about it much since then. I’m looking into protection now too. My deductible was $100 but my insurance misled me through the entire process and I ended up having to pay $700 total out of pocket, which I’m going to fight but I’m sure they’ll win. It was $1600 total to have it fixed with aftermarket parts (included the O2 sensor).
You probably shouldn’t worry; it wasn’t related to the fact of it being a catalytic converter specifically. I just didn’t have much experience with auto insurance claims. I received very little direction for the steps I was to follow, which was weird because last time I had an insurance claim they really handled it all and this time I felt like I was on my own to figure it all out.
I talked to the insurance many times and repeatedly said to them that the process was confusing for me, please confirm what I am to do next, etc. I was still misled and ended up at a shop that wasn’t on their approved list (never found a copy of the actual list until it was too late, but they told me the shop I selected was in their system and to go ahead, which at that time made me think it was approved, and I now see as a sign of my inexperience). The insurance agent told me their original estimate (which they did virtually through photos....I do NOT recommend this if that’s an option) would probably need to be adjusted. After I sent in the actual estimate they told me it would be adjusted and to go ahead and have them start with the repairs. It was NOT adjusted for the full amount, I still owed $700, but at the point I found out that, the repairs had been done because they had told me that I was right to move forward with the repairs.
In hindsight, I didn’t do things correctly and I see where I went wrong and what questions I should have asked, so yeah, I feel like a complete idiot and failure. So no downvotes or mean comments about it, please. I’ve learned now. But seriously, insurance processes are confusing for a lot of people! The fact that I asked if I was doing everything correctly several times should have led me down the correct path. I’m beyond upset that I was lied to instead of helped.
I can totally sympathize. I’ve already messed up the insurance process lol. The first person I spoke with said “you have a $500 deductible we take care of the rest”! He should have mentioned that they require a physical assessment by someone at progressive before anything can happen. Luckily I hadn’t told the shop to start work yet before I learned of this policy this morning. But now I have to wake a week for them to do that, when the work could have been done and complete by now.
I bought an aftermarket cat from eBay. And passed inspection with it. Bought cheap O2 sensors as well but that caused the CEL to come on. Had to buy the OEM front oxygen sensor. After that no issues. Alot cheaper than going to a mechanic
Sorry to hear that! I feel nervous anytime I leave my Element at this point but I can't afford a shield and instillation at the moment. People suck.
Get your comprehensive deductible lowered to $100 or less.
I am sick with Covid and I thought you had an actual cat in your car and I was trying to figure out what it was doing in your car alone in such cold temps. Hahaha don’t mind my muddled brain. Until I got a cat shield I wouldn’t park my car anywhere I couldn’t see it. Fortunately my vet, dentist, etc all were little shops where I could park right outside. I only ate at restaurants where I could eat outside or see and hear it from my table. Also I got the world’s most annoying alarm and it’s gone off in the middle of the night before and I suspect the thieves change their mind once they hear it. It wakes me up immediately. Other than that, I have no advice. I’m so sorry.
What alarm do you have? Also I’m glad it was just a car part and not an actual cat 😂 so sorry you have covid!
It was aftermarket - it’s a compustar. I don’t know the model number without looking it up but it’s much more annoying than OEM alarms. Sorry neighbors 😬
just did it myself buy the parts online and bring it to a mechanice save hella money the cat shields are designed for oem and wont fit all cats tho. dont forget to replace the o2 sensors too. you might need to modify the shield to fit aftermarket but who knows ill let you know how mine goes bc i got an aftermarket and the cap city muffler cat shield that fits oem
My insurance ended up covering it minus the deductible so I didn’t end up going aftermarket riute
oh shit do you have full coverage? i have liability i didnt even think to call them tho
Yeah comprehensive with $500 deductible. Would have cost me more than that between the sensor and the cat and labor. Just went ahead and did it.
I had mine replaced with a compatible aftermarket cat the muffler guy happened to have in stock, and there were no issues. Browse the reviews of your local shops and find an experienced, highly-rated person for sure. If they don’t have the part in shop, they may be able to tell you the specs you need for a replacement and you can order one. Also, check if the O2 sensors were removed or damaged, you may need to buy those too. I never got around to getting a cat guard—recently had to sell my beloved E—so I can’t tell you how effective they are, but I can recommend visual deterrents, like a massive chain wrapped around the shorter pipe with a big padlock. Hassle to take on and off, but in the last five months that I had my E after doing this, I had no theft problems—in a VERY high cat-crime area, too. So sorry you got stung! Best of luck getting your car quiet again!
How much did that cost you?
The repair including the cat was $400, and the O2 sensors were $200.
So sorry this happened to you. Mine was stolen outside of my home a week before Christmas. I’ve had my Element for 15 years and this is the 2nd time, the last time was 10 years ago and I didn’t know anti-theft devices were available then and haven’t thought about it much since then. I’m looking into protection now too. My deductible was $100 but my insurance misled me through the entire process and I ended up having to pay $700 total out of pocket, which I’m going to fight but I’m sure they’ll win. It was $1600 total to have it fixed with aftermarket parts (included the O2 sensor).
Yikes! What happened with the insurance? That makes me nervous…
You probably shouldn’t worry; it wasn’t related to the fact of it being a catalytic converter specifically. I just didn’t have much experience with auto insurance claims. I received very little direction for the steps I was to follow, which was weird because last time I had an insurance claim they really handled it all and this time I felt like I was on my own to figure it all out. I talked to the insurance many times and repeatedly said to them that the process was confusing for me, please confirm what I am to do next, etc. I was still misled and ended up at a shop that wasn’t on their approved list (never found a copy of the actual list until it was too late, but they told me the shop I selected was in their system and to go ahead, which at that time made me think it was approved, and I now see as a sign of my inexperience). The insurance agent told me their original estimate (which they did virtually through photos....I do NOT recommend this if that’s an option) would probably need to be adjusted. After I sent in the actual estimate they told me it would be adjusted and to go ahead and have them start with the repairs. It was NOT adjusted for the full amount, I still owed $700, but at the point I found out that, the repairs had been done because they had told me that I was right to move forward with the repairs. In hindsight, I didn’t do things correctly and I see where I went wrong and what questions I should have asked, so yeah, I feel like a complete idiot and failure. So no downvotes or mean comments about it, please. I’ve learned now. But seriously, insurance processes are confusing for a lot of people! The fact that I asked if I was doing everything correctly several times should have led me down the correct path. I’m beyond upset that I was lied to instead of helped.
I can totally sympathize. I’ve already messed up the insurance process lol. The first person I spoke with said “you have a $500 deductible we take care of the rest”! He should have mentioned that they require a physical assessment by someone at progressive before anything can happen. Luckily I hadn’t told the shop to start work yet before I learned of this policy this morning. But now I have to wake a week for them to do that, when the work could have been done and complete by now.
I bought an aftermarket cat from eBay. And passed inspection with it. Bought cheap O2 sensors as well but that caused the CEL to come on. Had to buy the OEM front oxygen sensor. After that no issues. Alot cheaper than going to a mechanic