BajaNomad - Quality of Mexican Gasoline

Quality of Mexican Gasoline

SeaShell - 9-27-2009 at 01:02 PM

It appears my catalytic converter is going out. My mechanic said it could have been due to some bad gasoline in Mexico where leaded was mixed with unleaded. I always get it from Pemex when I am in Baja but usually fill up in the US before heading down.
I realize the gas may have nothing to do with but just curious if any other Nomads have had any similiar problems.
FYI-Honda wanted $800 for a new cc. Fortunately I found one on ebay for $100.

woody with a view - 9-27-2009 at 01:10 PM

life is a mystery. fortunately your mystery was only $100 plus install. we buy premium as it costs the same are regular in the u.s. never had a problem.

toneart - 9-27-2009 at 03:17 PM

I always use regular and have never had a problem in Mexico.

I even went flying with a guy who has a Cessna 180. We went to the Pemex and filled up five gallon cans with gasoline (I assume Premium, but I am not even sure about that. I didn't notice). He climbed up on the wing and I handed the cans up to him. We then flew around the Bahia Conception and then over the mountains to the Pacific side and back to Mulege.

Edited to embellish my story with unbelievable and incredible aviation facts.

[Edited on 9-27-2009 by toneart]

Bajahowodd - 9-27-2009 at 04:04 PM

Back in the day, when they had leaded gasoline at every station, we really screwed up a rented VW, mostly because the leaded gas was cheaper. But, in my opinion, for many years now, there has been pretty good quality control at Pemex stations. We've driven ten thousand miles or more on our current vehicles, to Cabo and back, and have never had a problem.

SeaShell - 9-27-2009 at 04:04 PM

Thank you all for the replies.
It was probably just time for a new one. I am very grateful for ebay right now.
Cheers! :dudette:

[Edited on 9-27-2009 by SeaShell]

comitan - 9-27-2009 at 04:06 PM

I'm driving a Toyota corolla for the last five years on Pemex regular leaded gas and still have the same Cat./

MikeLikeBaja - 9-27-2009 at 04:13 PM

It tastes the same to me.

Crusoe - 9-27-2009 at 04:13 PM

Comitan... About how many miles would that be in 5 years?? Thanx ++C++

monoloco - 9-27-2009 at 04:38 PM

There is absolutely no way that you could have gotten leaded gas as it has not been made for years.

Woooosh - 9-27-2009 at 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SeaShell
It appears my catalytic converter is going out. Fortunately I found one on ebay for $100.

??? Ya think it could have been stolen? I remember when that guy stealing a converter in Ensenada was hurt when the owner returned and just drove away while he was in the act.

MikeLikeBaja - 9-27-2009 at 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh

Quote:

Originally posted by SeaShell
It appears my catalytic converter is going out. Fortunately I found one on ebay for $100.

??? Ya think it could have been stolen? I remember when that guy stealing a converter in Ensenada was hurt when the owner returned and just drove away while he was in the act.

Maybe obama paid for it

Woooosh - 9-27-2009 at 06:09 PM

"Clunker Converters". yup. possible.

On the gas thing. I used to bring my own down to Mex for my cycle- but my mexican mechanic told me to stop wasting my time. Do go to a busy new station though.

Wasn't there a link recently posted to the PeMEx website that showed which of their stations has "good" gas? Or did that link show which of their stations give you the correct amount of fuel?

comitan - 9-27-2009 at 06:16 PM

Crusoe 62,000 miles, by the way only had to align the rear end, service CV joint, change timing belt. Changed spark plugs when I finally found them. :lol:

David K - 9-28-2009 at 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by comitan
I'm driving a Toyota corolla for the last five years on Pemex regular leaded gas and still have the same Cat./

Umm...

There hasn't been leaded ('Nova') gasoline made for many years... Both 'Premium' and 'Magna Sin' (sin=without lead) are unleaded...

In the mid 70's and through the 80's it was Nova (79-81 octane, leaded ) and Magna Sin (87 octane unleaded)... No Premium back then.

durrelllrobert - 9-28-2009 at 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by monoloco
There is absolutely no way that you could have gotten leaded gas as it has not been made for years.

The gas sold in Baja is refined from MEX crude in the US and then shipped back down. It does have a higher sulfur content then what is allowed in CA.

Mexicorn - 9-28-2009 at 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert

Quote:

Originally posted by monoloco
There is absolutely no way that you could have gotten leaded gas as it has not been made for years.

The gas sold in Baja is refined from MEX crude in the US and then shipped back down. It does have a higher sulfur content then what is allowed in CA.

Refined in Willmington, CA to be precise! :cool:

[Edited on 9-28-2009 by Mexicorn]

MikeLikeBaja - 9-28-2009 at 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mexicorn

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert

Quote:

Originally posted by monoloco
There is absolutely no way that you could have gotten leaded gas as it has not been made for years.

The gas sold in Baja is refined from MEX crude in the US and then shipped back down. It does have a higher sulfur content then what is allowed in CA.

Refined in Willmington, CA to be precise! :cool:

[Edited on 9-28-2009 by Mexicorn]

That's why it tastes the same! I knew it

bill erhardt - 9-28-2009 at 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
Wasn't there a link recently posted to the PeMEx website that showed which of their stations has "good" gas? Or did that link show which of their stations give you the correct amount of fuel?

The latter list would be a real short one.

Bajahowodd - 9-28-2009 at 02:12 PM

My understanding is that there are two specific programs. One dealing with measurement accuracy and the other with everything else, like the restrooms and general condition of the facility.

comitan - 9-28-2009 at 04:10 PM

Magna Sin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

David K - 9-28-2009 at 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by comitan
Magna Sin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What's the excitement about????? :light:

garynmx - 9-29-2009 at 04:37 AM

The gas must be different. When my tank is empty and I fill up in Mexico the pump shows my tank is 17 gallons (converted ). When I fill my tank in states on empty my tank only holds 13 gallons and my auto book shows my tank is 13 gallons. So the Mexican gas must be different. :lol:

BajaGringo - 9-29-2009 at 06:30 AM

I have probably logged over 100K miles in Mexico on Pemex Magna without a problem...

TMW - 9-29-2009 at 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by garynmx
The gas must be different. When my tank is empty and I fill up in Mexico the pump shows my tank is 17 gallons (converted ). When I fill my tank in states on empty my tank only holds 13 gallons and my auto book shows my tank is 13 gallons. So the Mexican gas must be different. :lol:

You should find another PEMEX station.

durrelllrobert - 9-29-2009 at 08:51 AM

Quote:

delta between metric vs english coeficent of expanision must be taken into account also :?:

rpleger - 9-29-2009 at 12:32 PM

Mexican gas works for me...no problema

Ditto!!

bacquito - 9-29-2009 at 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGringo
I have probably logged over 100K miles in Mexico on Pemex Magna without a problem...

Yes, I too have traveled much of Mexico for 30+ years and never had a problem with the gas. Presently, I use Magna-good price and not too costly.

Bajahowodd - 9-29-2009 at 03:48 PM

Just wondering how long this thread can live on this particular topic. With the exception of a few pirates who rig the pumps, there is little more to be feared buying Pemex than Arco in El Segundo.