Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for reducing internal combustion engine contaminate and additive particulate matter from a particulate filter the method including accessing the filter and entraining particulate matter in a fluid stream. Further disclosed herein is an internal combustion engine particulate filter system including a canister, a filter media mounted in said canister and an access opening in said canister. Yet still further disclosed herein is a method for determining condition of a particulate filter in situ including establishing a vacuum value for a clean particulate filter in situ, establishing a vacuum value for a used particulate filter in situ; and comparing the established value for the clean filter versus the used filter.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for reducing internal combustion engine contaminate and additive particulate matter in a particulate filter the method including accessing the filter and entraining particulate matter in a fluid stream. Further disclosed herein is an internal combustion engine particulate filter system including a canister, a filter media mounted in said canister and an access opening in said canister. Yet further disclosed herein is a low cost particulate filter system having access for contaminate and additive particulate removal, the system including a canister, a filter mounted in the canister, a flange retainer without a seal and a sleeve disposed in said canister and configured to inhibit particulate leakage from and flange retainer.