Understanding Core Charges — Why Diesel Pro Power Applies Core Charges to Allison Marine Transmissions

If you’ve ever bought a rebuilt or remanufactured Allison marine transmission from Diesel Pro Power, you may have noticed a core charge included in the price. Customers sometimes ask: “What exactly is a core charge?” or “Why do I have to pay it?”

These are great questions — and the answer is simple once you understand how the rebuilding process works and why it matters for keeping Allison marine transmissions available, affordable, and reliable.

At Diesel Pro Power, transparency and trust are at the center of what we do. We want our customers to know exactly what they’re paying for — and more importantly, why core charges actually benefit you, the end user.

What Is a Core Charge?

A core charge (sometimes called a core deposit) is a refundable amount added to the price of a rebuilt or remanufactured part — in this case, an Allison marine transmission.

Here’s how it works: when you buy a rebuilt transmission, you’re receiving a professionally restored unit that was originally built using a used transmission housing (the “core”). To keep the rebuilding process going, we need that housing — and the internal components — returned so it can be rebuilt for the next customer.

The core charge acts as a temporary deposit that’s refunded when you send your old transmission core back to Diesel Pro Power.

In short:

• You pay the core charge when purchasing the rebuilt transmission.

• You send your used (rebuildable) transmission core back to us.

• Once we receive and inspect it, we refund the core charge to you.

It’s not a fee — it’s an incentive to return the used part so it can be rebuilt and reused.

Why Core Charges Exist

Core charges exist for one important reason: to keep quality rebuildable components in circulation.

Allison marine transmissions are high-performance, precision-engineered systems that are no longer mass-produced in the same way they once were. In many cases, the original housings and castings are no longer manufactured. This means that the only way to continue supplying rebuilt transmissions is to reuse existing cores — the original transmission casings and gear assemblies that can be restored to like-new condition.

When customers return their old cores, we can:

• Rebuild them to OEM specifications,

• Test and verify performance, and

• Provide future customers with reliable, cost-effective replacement units.

Without core returns, rebuilding would eventually become impossible — and the cost of Allison marine transmissions would skyrocket due to limited supply.

That’s why the core charge system is essential. It ensures that parts come back into the rebuilding cycle, helping Diesel Pro Power continue offering rebuilt Allison transmissions at competitive prices while maintaining consistent availability.

What Happens If You Don’t Return the Core

If a customer chooses not to return their old transmission, we lose one rebuildable unit — and the next rebuild has to start from scratch with new or hard-to-find castings. This drives up production costs and makes rebuilt units more expensive for everyone.

That’s why the core charge exists. It’s not a penalty — it’s a system that ensures valuable cores make their way back to the rebuilder, keeping prices fair and inventory flowing.

If you decide to keep your old transmission, that’s fine — you simply forfeit the refundable core charge. Many customers do this when they plan to use the old unit for parts or display.

How the Refund Works

At Diesel Pro Power, we make the core refund process simple and customer-friendly.

1. Purchase your rebuilt Allison transmission. The core charge will be listed clearly on your invoice.

2. Return your old transmission core within the specified time (30 days with a RGA (return of goods authorization form)

3. We inspect it upon arrival.

4. You receive your refund — quickly and without hassle.

We accept cores shipped from anywhere in the world, and our team can guide you through packaging, labeling, and freight arrangements to make it easy.

Why Diesel Pro Power Uses This System

Our customers depend on us to keep their vessels running, and Allison marine transmissions are a big part of that reliability. By charging a refundable core deposit, Diesel Pro Power ensures:

• Consistent supply of quality rebuildable parts

• Lower long-term prices for customers

• Reduced waste and environmental impact

• Access to genuine Detroit Diesel and Allison components that might otherwise be unavailable

Core charges help us maintain the high level of quality control that Diesel Pro Power is known for. Every rebuilt transmission we sell is disassembled, cleaned, machined, and tested by skilled technicians who know the Allison product line inside and out.

Our customers get a transmission that performs like new — backed by our expertise, warranty, and customer support.

In Summary

The core charge on your rebuilt Allison marine transmission isn’t an extra cost — it’s a deposit that helps keep the rebuilding cycle alive. It ensures that future customers can access affordable, reliable, high-quality components built from genuine Allison cores.

When you return your old transmission, you get your core deposit back — and you contribute to the sustainability of the marine diesel industry.

At Diesel Pro Power, we take pride in providing not just great parts, but great service, transparency, and lasting value.

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