Why Does Diesel Pro Power Charge a Core Charge When You Buy a Rebuilt Detroit Diesel Blower?
When purchasing a rebuilt Detroit Diesel blower , many customers notice an additional fee on their invoice called a core charge . While this may raise questions at first glance, the core charge is a longstanding industry practice—and an essential part of how Diesel Pro Power delivers reliable, high-quality rebuilt components with industry-leading turnaround times.
This article explains what a core charge is, why Diesel Pro Power charges it, what happens to your blower core when you send it in, and how the process benefits you , the customer.
What Is a Core Charge?
A core charge —sometimes called a “core deposit”—is a temporary, refundable charge added to the purchase of a rebuilt or remanufactured part , such as a Detroit Diesel blower.
The charge is refunded when:
- You return your old blower (the “core”),
- The core meets rebuildable condition standards, and
- It arrives within the return window.
In short: the core charge ensures Diesel Pro Power receives a rebuildable blower so we can continue offering rebuilt units at competitive prices.
Why Diesel Pro Power Must Charge a Core Charge
1. Blower Cores Are in Limited Supply
Detroit Diesel 71-series and 92-series engines are legendary workhorses—but many are now decades old. Original equipment manufacturers no longer produce many components, including the roots-type blowers that these engines depend on.
Because new housings, rotors, and internal assemblies are no longer widely manufactured, the only way to build rebuilt blowers is to remanufacture existing ones .
Without core returns:
- The supply of rebuildable blowers decreases,
- Rebuild costs rise sharply,
- Availability becomes unpredictable, and
- Prices for rebuilt units would increase dramatically.
The core charge ensures a steady flow of used blowers that can be remanufactured to OEM-grade specifications.
2. Your Returned Core Keeps Rebuilt Blowers Affordable
The cost of manufacturing a blower from scratch is far higher than remanufacturing an existing core. By returning a serviceable core, customers help:
- Reduce material waste
- Lower production costs
- Keep rebuilt blower prices stable
- Prevent supply shortages
Diesel Pro Power passes these savings directly to customers. Without the core return program, a rebuilt blower could cost 2–3× more than it does today.
3. The Core Charge Helps Offset Remanufacturing Costs
Every returned core undergoes a complete professional teardown and inspection. Diesel Pro Power invests significant labor, machinery, and quality-control resources to make your rebuilt blower perform like new.
The core charge helps cover:
- Disassembly and cleaning
- Crack testing and dimensional inspections
- Precision rotor timing and alignment
- Bearing replacement
- Seal replacement
- Machining and housing restoration
- Assembly and final testing
This ensures that every rebuilt blower meets or exceeds OEM specifications before shipping.
4. The Charge Ensures You Return a Rebuildable Blower
Not all blowers returned from the field are rebuildable. Some may arrive:
- Cracked
- Severely corroded
- Bent or warped
- Damaged from overheating
- Damaged from detonation
- Contaminated with debris or catastrophic engine failure
The core charge motivates customers to return their blower promptly and in rebuildable condition. Diesel Pro Power absorbs the cost of unusable cores, replacement parts, and machining—but the core charge helps maintain fairness and consistency across the program.
What Diesel Pro Power Does With Your Returned Core
When your blower core arrives, Diesel Pro Power’s technicians follow a multi-stage remanufacturing process:
1. Initial Inspection
Cores are evaluated for structural integrity. If cracks, housing damage, or rotor scoring are present, technicians determine whether it is rebuildable.
2. Complete Disassembly
The blower is stripped down to its bare housing, rotors, and shafts.
3. Cleaning and Media Processing
Parts are cleaned using chemical baths and media blasting to remove carbon, oil residue, rust, and old paint.
4. Precision Machining
Critical components are restored to factory dimensions using CNC machining as needed.
5. Rotor Re-Timing and Alignment
Rotor synchronization is restored to deliver the correct air-flow and boost characteristics.
6. Replacement of Wear Components
Bearings, seals, gaskets, and other wear items are replaced with new components.
7. Final Assembly and Testing
Every blower undergoes quality testing to confirm proper rotor clearance, spin resistance, timing, and airflow.
This process transforms a used core into a high-performance, ready-to-install rebuilt blower .
When Will You Get Your Core Charge Refunded?
Diesel Pro Power issues core charge refunds when:
- The returned blower is the correct model,
- It arrives within the return window, and
- It is rebuildable based on standard industry criteria.
If the core is non-rebuildable , Diesel Pro Power will notify you with a detailed explanation.
How the Core Charge Protects You, the Customer
While some customers initially view the core charge as an extra cost, it provides major long-term benefits:
1. Guarantees Long-Term Availability
The steady return of blower cores allows Diesel Pro Power to ensure future availability—even for engines built 30–60+ years ago.
2. Keeps Prices Lower
Rebuilding a core is significantly cheaper than manufacturing a blower from new materials. Your returned core helps keep prices as low as possible.
3. Ensures Strict Quality Standards
Diesel Pro Power invests heavily in remanufacturing equipment and skilled technicians. The core program supports the highest level of quality control.
4. Reduces Waste and Supports Sustainability
Rebuilding a blower uses far fewer resources than producing a new one—helping customers reduce environmental impact.
Conclusion: The Core Charge is an Essential Part of Delivering High-Quality Rebuilt Blowers
A rebuilt Detroit Diesel blower is a precision-engineered component, and Diesel Pro Power’s core charge system ensures we can continue providing:
- Reliable, high-quality rebuilt units
- Consistent inventory levels
- Competitive pricing
- Fast turnaround
- Long-term parts support for legacy Detroit Diesel engines
Your returned blower core is a vital part of keeping the entire rebuilding ecosystem alive—and it helps Diesel Pro Power support thousands of operators around the world who depend on Detroit Diesel engines every day.
