Comparing a NEW DPF to Reconditioned Filters
When it comes to purchasing a diesel particulate filter, we know you not only have options but questions as well.
Questions ranging all over the board, like:
Is this replacement filter as good as my original?
What is the warranty coverage?
Will this filter change the performance of my truck?
Is more backpressure better for my truck?
Won't a reconditioned filter be cheaper than a new one?
Well, those questions are easy to work through by exploring and explaining the Max Filter production process.
But one of the more intriguing topics that come up is the comparison of a new diesel particulate filter versus a reconditioned unit.
In many cases, customers either believe or have been told that a reconditioned or remanufactured unit is a new filter. Well at American Radiator, we know that simply is not the case.
Here are some key points you should consider when making your purchase:
Remanufactured do not use all new components.
There's no way of knowing with complete certainty how many times the cordierite has been baked.
The warranty, if one is even offered, will most likely fall short of industry standards. And remember our Max Filter DPF's offer a Lifetime Limited Warranty.
And when you work through the numbers, it will cost you more over a 5 year period to purchase a remanufactured or reconditioned filter versus a new Max Filter.
To further explain, let's work through the numbers.
Let's say you can purchase a reman DPF for $800. And for this example, we will even throw in that you receive full core credit, which in many cases does not happen.
Many companies do not recommend cleaning a reman diesel particulate filter. Instead, you are instructed to replace the filter annually at the scheduled time of maintenance. Using that approach over a five-year time frame, your investment for remanufactured diesel particulate filters will be $4000. And that's if you get 100% of your core charge back, and do not have any issues that a warranty would typically cover.
Now let us compare the reconditioned expense to the cost of a new Max Filter from American Radiator. We will use an acquisition price of $1800 and a baked cleaning cost of $275. Over the course of the same five-year period, a new filter that is properly cleaned will cost you $2900. And remember, the new Max Filter DPF from American Radiator includes a lifetime warranty covering manufacturer defects.
Still need some further proof that remanufactured filters are not equal to new diesel particulate filters? Take a look at this recent amendment from CARB:
APPENDIX A
PROPOSED REGULATION ORDER
Amend section 2222, Article 2, Chapter 4, Division 3, Title 13, California Code of Regulations, to read as follows:
Chapter 4. Criteria for the Evaluation of Motor Vehicle Pollution Control
Devices and Fuel Additives
Article 2. Aftermarket Parts
(Note: The proposed amendments are shown in underline to indicate additions and strikeout to indicate deletions from the existing regulatory text. “[No change]” indicates that regulatory language not being amended is not shown.
§ 2222. Add-On Parts and Modified Parts.
(a)- (j) [No Change]
(k) (1) The Executive Officer shall exempt new aftermarket diesel particulate filters for on-road heavy-duty diesel engines from the prohibitions of California Vehicle Code section 27156 based on an evaluation conducted in accordance with the "California Evaluation Procedure for New Aftermarket Diesel Particulate Filters Intended as Modified Parts For 2007 Through 2009 Model Year On-Road Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines," as adopted on [INSERT DATE], which is incorporated by reference herein.
(2) No person shall install, sell, offer for sale, or advertise any new aftermarket diesel particulate filter for on-road heavy-duty diesel engines in California unless it has been exempted pursuant to the procedures as provided in this subsection.
(3) For the purposes of this regulation, a new aftermarket diesel particulate filter is a diesel particulate filter which is constructed of all new materials, is not a replacement part as defined in Title 13, California Code of Regulations, section 1900, and is not an original equipment diesel particulate filter. A diesel particulate filter which includes any new material or construction not equivalent to the materials or construction of the original equipment diesel particulate filter (e.g., an original equipment diesel particulate filter can with a new non-original equipment substrate) shall also be considered a new aftermarket diesel particulate filter.
(4) For the purposes of this regulation, the term “original equipment diesel particulate filter” is a new diesel particulate filter that is originally installed in a new on-road heavy-duty diesel engine’s certified emission control system.
(5) No person shall install, sell, offer for sale, or advertise any used, remanufactured, refurbished, recycled, or salvaged diesel particulate filter in California.
(6) For the purposes of this regulation, a “used diesel particulate filter” is a diesel particulate filter which is not a new aftermarket diesel particulate filter as defined in subsection (k)(3), or a replacement part as defined in section 1900.
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NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 39600, 39601, 43000, 43000.5, 43011 and 43107, Health and Safety Code; and Sections 27156, 38391 and 38395, Vehicle Code. Reference: Sections 39002, 39003, 39500, 43000, 43000.5, 43009.5, 43011, 43107, 43204, 43205, 43205.5 and 43644, Health and Safety Code; and Sections 27156, 38391 and 38395, Vehicle Code.
