How to Find Catalytic Converter Scrap Value Using the Serial Number

What Is a Catalytic Converter?

If you grew up during the 1970s and '80s you may recall occasionally driving around in cars with the windows down and smelling a sulfur rotten egg smell from time to time. After exclaiming “What is that smell?” someone in the car likely enlightened you to it being a catalytic converter.

This simple answer doesn’t mean much so let's explore just what a catalytic converter actually is. Basically catalytic converters are devices that capture the emissions from the burning of petroleum. Once captured these fumes are stripped of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons.

The remaining emissions are then released from the catalytic converter in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2) and Water (H2O). These emissions of course are far less harmful to the environment meaning that the fuel burning process is cleaner.

How Do Catalytic Converters Work?

There are many different types of catalytic converters but they all work along the same principals. Essentially inside these devices there are chemical elements that are used as catalysts. There are reduction catalysts and oxidation catalysts.

These catalysts are metals such as platinum, rhodium or palladium which by the way are not inexpensive. This often means that replacing the catalytic converter is not cheap. The metals are often coating ceramic structures and will trap and react with the carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons as they pass through the device.

Firstly reduction catalysts such as platinum or rhodium act upon the nitrogen oxides ripping away the nitrogen atoms from the compound. As an example when nitrogen dioxide (N02) passes over these catalysts the nitrogen (N) is ripped away leaving only the two O atoms which for those who might not know is simple oxygen.

The next phase is the oxidation catalysts which might be platinum or palladium. These catalysts with the help of the extra oxygen from the reduction phase take care of carbon monoxide CO and hydrocarbons. Instead of removing atoms they actually force a bond between the O2 and CO molecules turning oxygen and carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide (CO2).

Although excess CO2 is still not great for the environment it is much more preferable to carbon monoxide which can be lethal. Poorly maintained gas burning heating systems for example might produce excess carbon monoxide in your home. The accumulation of this is poisonous and can kill.

Why Does the Catalytic Converter Have a High Scrap Value?

Often with car parts the scrap value is based on the metal and this is the situation with the catalytic converter. It is not however the metal that the case is made out of but the precious metals that coats the internal filters.

The precious metals that you can find in the catalytic converter can be extracted and sold off. In the list below we will give you the market prices for these metals as of February 2023.

Platinum: $1,012 per ounce

Palladium: $1,566 per ounce

Rhodium: $12,400 per ounce

Now the weight of these metals in a catalytic converter is not immense but it is enough to be worth at least a few hundred dollars if not more. The scrap value will vary by vehicle types with some higher end models having more expensive parts in general.

How to Research Catalytic Converter Scrap Value Using the Serial Number

The very easiest way to find out the potential scrap value of your catalytic converter is by using an app or an online search. The two most popular options are ConverterDatabase and Eco Cat. You simply input your catalytic converter's serial number into one of these search methods and it will know what the value of metals should be in that part.

It should be noted at this point that although all newer cars must come standard with a catalytic converter the manufacturers of these parts do not have a requirement to print a serial number on their parts.

If there is a serial number on the part you will find it in the form of an etching which should consist of letters and numbers. This can vary in length but any such etching on the part itself would be the serial number and can be used to search the part's potential scrap value.

Using the Serial Number Search App

Assuming you can find the serial number for the part you simply have to input this information into your chosen app. This will then give you a read out of the amount of each precious metal in the part and its current value based on updated market price.

Market prices can fluctuate wildly but generally speaking these types of metal will always have a decent value.

You Can Do It With a Picture

If you can’t locate a serial number then a phone app like Eco Cat has a database that allows it to recognize a specific catalytic converter type with a picture. So snapping a photograph of the part may help you get an idea of its potential value.

Locating the Catalytic Converter Serial Number on Certain Car Brands

Some of the major auto manufacturers have uniformity when it comes to their parts and where the serial number may be displayed. In this section we will look at some of the top car manufacturers to help you potentially locate the serial number on their catalytic converters.

General Motors

General Motors is very consistent across its entire range and be it Chevy GMC or Cadillac you should find the serial number for the catalytic converter on a plate attached to the part itself. It should be about 8 digits long but also might be GM followed by a few numbers.

Chrysler/Dodge

Chrysler and by extension Dodge are less uniform with their part marking but the serial number should be stamped somewhere on the catalytic converter's edging. It can vary in length from a single letter and number to a series of letters and numbers.

Subaru

Subaru is more predictable so the serial number is usually printed on the body of the part. It is usually 5 characters long with four being letters and the last being a number.

Ford

When looking at a Ford catalytic converter you should be looking for a long code between 10 – 12 digits in length. It will be a mixture of letters and numbers and will be separated with hyphens as well.

Aftermarket Parts

Catalytic converters wear out over time and need to be replaced so there is always the chance in an older car that the part attached is aftermarket. In this case all bets are off and you will have to fend for yourself in trying to locate a number if one is present.

What Else Affects Catalytic Converter Value?

We have already discussed how the metals inside the catalytic converter affect price but are there any other aspects that can impact the scrap value? The answer is yes a chipped or damaged part will be less valuable than one that is intact.

Catalytic Converter Theft Is Big Business

There are some models of car that have amazingly expensive catalytic converters such as a RAM 2500. The converter on this heavy duty truck is worth upwards of $3500 which creates a problem for the owner and an opportunity for thieves.

Criminals will literally crawl under a car and hack off a catalytic converter with the intent of selling it on. This is a major issue especially in more high end vehicles. Always try to park your vehicles in a locked garage or a well lit area.

Conclusion

Catalytic converters have impressive scrap value compared to many other car parts which sadly makes them targets for theft. However when it comes time to upgrade your catalytic converter you can help ease the financial hit by selling the old part for scrap value, possibly recouping hundreds or thousands of dollars in the process.

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