Looking at a bus and an aftermarket emissions dongle stuck to dash says "SERVICE NOW"

[light24bulbs]

Does the bus have some kind of aftermarket exhaust filter that needs service or something? Exhaust fluid? Can I just ignore this like the mechanic on the lot suggested?

It's a 2002 international 3000 rear engine with dt530.

[PNW_Steve]

Sounds like it may be an aftermarket particulate filter. California or Oregon bus?

I would not just ignore it. The aftermarket units can be removed. Returning the engine to stock. That may be worth considering.

[Sehnsucht]

Mileage? I would suggest confirming if it has a diesel particulate filter and if so I would disagree with the advice to just ignore because at some point that sucker is going to derate your engine to near zero and you'll be limping home at best or stranded on the roadside.

[EastCoastCB]

On a 2002 it would just be an add on DPF. Its safe to remove those.

[light24bulbs]

Here is a picture of the thing! It appears to use water to filter the exhaust, and it has a little outlet valve down below. The liquid looks absolutely, positively filthy. I'd be happy to drain it and put more water in, I just need to know if that's the right thing to do.

Less emissions sounds okay to me. I realize it will get less mileage, but it's nice to not have black smoke and put out that weird stuff into the air. Do you guys still recommend removing it?

To answer questions: The bus is a Washington State bus. @PNW_Steve it may be familiar to you.

[PNW_Steve]

Yes, given the year it would be aftermarket.

There are DPF delete kits for some of the later model, factory installed, DPF filters as well.

[Wornout Wrench]

Originally Posted by light24bulbs

Here is a picture of the thing! It appears to use water to filter the exhaust, and it has a little outlet valve down below. The liquid looks absolutely, positively filthy. I'd be happy to drain it and put more water in, I just need to know if that's the right thing to do.

Less emissions sounds okay to me. I realize it will get less mileage, but it's nice to not have black smoke and put out that weird stuff into the air. Do you guys still recommend removing it?

To answer questions: The bus is a Washington State bus. @PNW_Steve it may be familiar to you.

I believe what you are looking at there is a crankcase filter system. Not really something that needs to come off. I see that there is a filter number right on the canister.
This system captures all of the vapors from the crankcase and runs through a filter so the oil doesn't drip on the ground.

http://donaldsonoemfiltration.com/li...dfs/053490.pdf

Here is some information

Should be a simple job to swap out the filter.

I'll see if I can find some more information.

[Wornout Wrench]

More information

https://www.wanderlodgeownersgroup.c...k%20filter.pdf

https://shop.donaldson.com/store/car...tes-DCI.jsp.1#