Why Diesel Pro Power Charges a Core Charge for Rebuilt Oil Pumps for Detroit Diesel Engines

Detroit Diesel engines—especially the legendary 53, 71, and 92 series—remain in service across commercial fishing fleets, tugboats, charter vessels, industrial equipment, generators, and heavy-duty machinery. These engines are valued for their longevity and rebuildability, but many of their components are no longer manufactured new. One of the most important of these components is the oil pump, the heart of the engine’s lubrication system.

When operators purchase a rebuilt oil pump from Diesel Pro Power, they will notice a core charge attached to the order. This sometimes leads to questions:
Why is there a core charge? What does Diesel Pro Power do with the old pump? And why does the process matter to the customer?

This article explains, in clear and practical terms, why core charges exist, how they protect the customer, and why they are essential to keeping Detroit Diesel engines running reliably today.

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1. Many Detroit Diesel Oil Pumps Are No Longer Produced New

One of the main reasons for core charges is simple: many oil pumps for Detroit Diesel 53-, 71-, and 92-series engines are no longer manufactured new by Detroit Diesel.

That means rebuilt pumps are the primary way operators can keep these engines in service. But to rebuild a pump, Diesel Pro Power needs old pumps (cores) returned so they can be professionally remanufactured. Without a steady supply of cores, the industry would eventually run out of rebuildable pumps altogether.

The core charge is a deposit that ensures the old part is returned, keeping the supply chain moving.

Without core returns:

• Availability would decrease
• Prices would rise sharply
• Lead times would increase
• Some pumps could disappear from the market entirely

Core charges protect the entire ecosystem that keeps these engines running.

2. A Returned Core Allows Diesel Pro Power to Build a True Rebuilt Pump

A rebuilt Detroit Diesel oil pump is not simply cleaned and resold—it undergoes a complete remanufacturing process. Returning a core ensures Diesel Pro Power has the correct housing, gears, shafts, and internal castings needed to produce a quality rebuilt unit.

When a core is returned, Diesel Pro Power:

• Disassembles the pump completely
• Cleans and inspects all internal components
• Replaces worn or damaged parts
• Re-machines surfaces to factory tolerances
• Reassembles the pump using professional equipment
• Tests the unit to ensure proper oil pressure and flow

This process requires the original pump housing, which is specific to each Detroit Diesel series. New housings are not being manufactured, making cores essential.

Core charges guarantee that these housings return to circulation instead of ending up unused, discarded, or scrapped.

3. Core Charges Help Maintain a Stable Supply for Customers Worldwide

Diesel Pro Power supports operators in over 180 countries with parts for Detroit Diesel engines. Commercial vessel operators, truck fleets, industrial sites, and generator technicians all depend on rebuilt oil pumps being readily available.

Core charges make this possible.

When operators return their core, Diesel Pro Power can:

• Rebuild the pump
• Return it to inventory
• Keep shelves stocked
• Ensure fast availability
• Avoid long backorders

This matters especially to marine and commercial users who cannot afford extended downtime.

Imagine a fishing boat waiting weeks for an oil pump—missed days on the water mean lost income. Imagine a generator powering a remote facility waiting months for a rebuildable pump to show up. Core charges prevent these situations by keeping the supply chain healthy and the rebuilt pump inventory flowing.

4. Core Charges Encourage Sustainability and Reduce Waste

Rebuilding an oil pump instead of manufacturing a new one is inherently sustainable. It:

• Reuses existing castings
• Reduces metal waste
• Lowers energy consumption
• Minimizes environmental impact
• Keeps older engines serviceable without scrapping them

The core charge plays a major role in this model by ensuring that good, rebuildable components don’t get discarded or forgotten in a workshop. Instead, they return to Diesel Pro Power’s facility where they are repurposed and kept in circulation.

This closed-loop system benefits customers, the industry, and the environment.

5. The Core Charge Ensures Customers Receive Reliable, Standardized Rebuilds

When Diesel Pro Power rebuilds an oil pump, they follow industry-standard processes to restore the unit to proper working condition. This ensures:

• Consistent oil pressure
• Proper flow
• Long-term reliability
• Performance that meets Detroit Diesel specifications

But the only way to ensure consistency in the rebuild process is by starting with the correct and original Detroit Diesel pump housing.

If operators did not return their cores, Diesel Pro Power would be forced to source housings from unknown conditions—or stop offering rebuilt pumps entirely. The core charge ensures that the exact, engine-correct component comes back for remanufacturing, protecting the integrity of every rebuilt unit sold.

6. The Core Charge Is Fully Refundable When You Return the Old Pump

A core charge is not an extra fee. It is a temporary deposit that is refunded in full when the customer sends back their used pump.

In practice, it works like this:

1. You buy a rebuilt pump.
2. A core charge is added to the order.
3. You send back your old oil pump.
4. Diesel Pro Power inspects the core.
5. If the pump is rebuildable (most are), you receive a refund of the core charge.

This creates a simple and fair system for everyone.

7. Core Charges Keep Prices Lower for Rebuilt Pumps

Without returned cores, Diesel Pro Power would eventually run out of rebuildable housings. If that happened, the cost of acquiring cores on the open market—or manufacturing new housings—would cause prices to rise dramatically.

By ensuring cores return consistently, Diesel Pro Power can:

• Keep rebuilt oil pumps affordable
• Prevent extreme price swings
• Maintain stable inventory levels
• Offer predictable pricing to fleets

This is a major advantage for fleets, commercial vessels, and industrial operators who must plan maintenance budgets in advance.

8. Core Return Policies Are Standard Across the Diesel Industry

Many customers are surprised to learn that core charges are not unique to Diesel Pro Power—they are standard practice across the diesel and heavy-equipment industries.

Core charges apply to:

• Oil pumps
• Fuel injectors
• Cylinder heads
• Water pumps
• Turbochargers
• Governors
• Camshafts

Detroit Diesel engines in particular rely heavily on rebuilt components due to the end of OEM production for many parts. Core charges are the only way to keep these engines supported for decades to come.

Conclusion: Core Charges Protect the Customer, the Industry, and the Engine

Diesel Pro Power charges a core charge for rebuilt Detroit Diesel oil pumps because it protects the entire supply chain and ensures customers continue to receive high-quality, reliable rebuilt units.

A core charge:

• Ensures old pumps return for rebuilding
• Keeps inventory available worldwide
• Protects against rising prices
• Supports sustainability
• Helps maintain rebuild consistency
• Ensures long-term support for Detroit Diesel engines
• Reduces downtime for commercial operations
• Maintains the availability of critical components no longer made new

For owners, operators, and fleet managers, the core charge is not an inconvenience—it’s an investment in the continued support of Detroit Diesel engines across the world.

Shop Rebuilt Oil Pumps For Detroit Diesel Engines
Fill Out A Return Of Authorization Form To Return Your Oil Pump Core To Diesel Pro Power

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