CAN YOU REBUILD A DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER?
In short, NO you cannot.
Anybody who has been in the trucking industry has encountered "rebuilt or re-manufactured" parts. This can be a rebuilt engine where the pistons, sleeves, etc. have been replaced and the block is resurfaced to OEM specs. This means that the unit has been taken apart, inspected and the core is replaced, installed new gaskets, bolts, etc. and it is guaranteed like new. Since people in the trucking industry are accustomed to this level of service when purchasing rebuilt parts, we have found that they expect the same in a diesel particulate filter.
When we ask out customers what they think a "rebuilt" DPF is most of them say that the ceramic filter material (also known as the substrate, see photo below) is discarded and a new substrate is placed in the old housing. However, this is not the case with the "rebuilt" DPF. Unlike a radiator or engine, the diesel particulate filter housing is of very little value as a core. The value is in the substrate and once it is damaged it can no longer be reused and is discarded.
When we ask out customers what they think a "rebuilt" DPF is most of them say that the ceramic filter material (also known as the substrate, see photo below) is discarded and a new substrate is placed in the old housing. However, this is not the case with the "rebuilt" DPF. Unlike a radiator or engine, the diesel particulate filter housing is of very little value as a core. The value is in the substrate and once it is damaged it can no longer be reused and is discarded.
WHAT DO CUSTOMERS ACTUALLY RECEIVE WITH A REBUILT DPF?
We have seen many dealers promoting lines of "rebuilt" diesel particulate filters. Typical prices are approximately $800 and we have found that customers believe that they are getting a reconditioned housing with a new substrate. What the customer is actually receiving is simply a DPF that has been cleaned, NO SUBSTRATE HAS BEEN CHANGED. It has simply gone through a diesel particulate filter cleaning process, just as we here at AFS. Customer also run the risk of their DPF "core" being rejected. This would mean a charge ranging from $1,500 - $2,000. Additionally, you may receive a filter that is in worse condition than your original unit. At AFS, you are assured that you will receive YOUR diesel particulate filter back that you sent us for cleaning. We encourage our customers to make sure they read the fine print before they decide to go for a "rebuilt" DPF.
ASK YOURSELF THIS QUESTION:
If you are reubuilding my DPF then why does my "core" have to be good? Are you not going to rebuild it and put a new substrate in?
We have seen many dealers promoting lines of "rebuilt" diesel particulate filters. Typical prices are approximately $800 and we have found that customers believe that they are getting a reconditioned housing with a new substrate. What the customer is actually receiving is simply a DPF that has been cleaned, NO SUBSTRATE HAS BEEN CHANGED. It has simply gone through a diesel particulate filter cleaning process, just as we here at AFS. Customer also run the risk of their DPF "core" being rejected. This would mean a charge ranging from $1,500 - $2,000. Additionally, you may receive a filter that is in worse condition than your original unit. At AFS, you are assured that you will receive YOUR diesel particulate filter back that you sent us for cleaning. We encourage our customers to make sure they read the fine print before they decide to go for a "rebuilt" DPF.
ASK YOURSELF THIS QUESTION:
If you are reubuilding my DPF then why does my "core" have to be good? Are you not going to rebuild it and put a new substrate in?