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Diesel

Reeljob - 10-26-2009 at 07:47 AM

I have a friend who is questioning taking his 5th wheel to Mexico because he is afraid the Diesel won't work in his truck (2009 Dodge)

Anyone have an answer or suggestion?

BajaGringo - 10-26-2009 at 07:47 AM

I haven't heard that problem???

tripledigitken - 10-26-2009 at 08:01 AM

Reeljob,

This has been discussed in the past. Use the search function.

According to a few Nomads that have the newer diesels spec'd for the new fuel, have reported having no problems running the old mix sold in Baja. The availability of the ULSD is spotty in Baja, but is available.

I would get a 50-100 gal aux fuel tank mounted and you should have a good chance of finding enough ULSD to keep you going.

Bob and Susan in Mulege can speak with personal experience on the topic as they have a recent dodge diesel and have put big miles on it in Baja.

Ken

Posted over 2 years ago...

David K - 10-26-2009 at 08:13 AM

BajaCactus

Nomad

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posts: 457
Registered: 5-22-2004
Location: Km. 55, carretera transpenisular, El Rosario, B.C.
Member Is Offline

Mood: Helpful
posted on 6-27-2007 at 11:37 PM

Diesel Bajo Azufre...

My friends,

For several months now, Pemex Refinacion (that is the part of Pemex that produces fuel) has been producing Low Sulfur Diesel, known in Mexico as "Pemex Diesel Bajo Azufre".

This type of Diesel has been distributed all around Mexico for more than 8 months now, slowly replacing the old one (When received, it gets mixed with the old one, so it takes a while to reach it's optimal low sulfur quality).

Pemex also sent mobile laboratories throughout Baja to check on the new Diesel quality at the beginning of this year... they arrived at BajaCactus in february 2007... they checked our Diesel and told us it was already 98% Low Sulfur, back then, and according to them, at our Gas Station, it should not have taken more than a couple of weeks to achieve it's optimal levels.

At this point it is supposed to be all around Mexico.

On a related note, also Premium fuel has also been upgraded to a Ultra Low Sulfur version, known as "Premium UBA" (Ultra Bajo Azufre).

Regarding the quantity of sulfur in each fuel, I do not know... but if you guys really need/want to know, I would be happy to try and find out for you.

In the near future, you may begin to see the change in the Gas Stations signs of the new fuel... it just takes a while since those are expensive and the owner of the Gas Station has to pay for them out of their profits.

Hope this info helps my friends.

BajaCactus
"Where the Baja is so much more than a dream..."

[Edited on 10-26-2009 by David K]

Diesel_Premium.jpg - 40kB

Oggie - 10-26-2009 at 04:58 PM

If your truck is under warrantee, and requires Ultra Low Sulfer Diesel(ULSD) to operate you will void the warrantee by using non-ULSD. Period. The dealer can tell by hooking your truck to their diagnostic equipment. The trucks onboard computer will shut down your truck if the filters become clogged and you can not restart until the filters are changed.

Bob and Susan - 10-26-2009 at 05:12 PM

well....3 years

lots of tanks...

usa dealer trips for service...

no problems

it's only about the smog issues in the states
the dealers CANNOT say it works ok

the diesel in baja works fine

DianaT - 10-26-2009 at 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Oggie
If your truck is under warrantee, and requires Ultra Low Sulfer Diesel(ULSD) to operate you will void the warrantee by using non-ULSD. Period. The dealer can tell by hooking your truck to their diagnostic equipment. The trucks onboard computer will shut down your truck if the filters become clogged and you can not restart until the filters are changed.

My son just sold his 2009 Dodge and bought an older Dodge diesel for that reason----as two neighbors down here have told us, their dealers said the little bit older ones will survive the fuel here, but the 2009 is different I guess. I know they both said their dealers did not want to sell them at 2009----says something when a dealer does not want to sell a brand new truck. One is from the US and the other is from Canada and they both had the same experience.

Anyway, I know my son was not willing to risk the warranty on a very expensive truck---and we sure were not going to advise him to go ahead and risk it.

I do not know why the dealers said the 2009 were different--- so what was true 2 years ago, may not apply now.

Tis a choice----some are willing to risk it, and some are not.

[Edited on 10-27-2009 by DianaT]

fishingmako - 10-30-2009 at 11:16 PM

If you want to get diesel in mex and you are paranoid, just get an additive to put in with the fuel, I personally haven't had any problems, and there are a lot of people with new Diesels, like Bob and Susan, they have reported on here before, they bought their Diesel new and amazing they have had NO PROBLEMS.

bajalou - 10-31-2009 at 07:49 AM

Having nothing to do with the fuel in Mexico, I have friends here in NEW Mexico that report almost every 2009 pickup has had the particulate filter plugged up. Only one in regular use in this area has not had provlems. Most of them have had trouble many times, requiring trips of over 100 miles to a dealer. Some are saying "No more Dodge" even though they like the power etc. This is with using the USLD fuel available in NM, Arizona and Texas.

David K - 10-31-2009 at 08:10 AM

Good to hear Lou, that blaming Pemex for diesel issues is NOT valid. When are you guys coming home? Will we see you New Years (if we get away)?

bajalou - 10-31-2009 at 12:17 PM

I'll be there in the next week or so and Teina mid Dec. Last year was the final as "Last One" of the Turkey Feasts. 13 years was enough as BajaRob can attest. We'll be there though. Be glad to see you if you get down.

David K - 10-31-2009 at 03:07 PM

Here are some photos of 'The Last One': http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=36237

Good fun... glad we were there!

Bomberro - 11-1-2009 at 06:31 AM

There have been two diesel trucks flat bedded from Los Barriles to San Diego because of fuel problems both the 2007 and newer models. One Ford lost a plug inside the valve cover area and lost fuel pressure, the other a Chev 2500 HD, I was told, plugged the particulate filter. I have not talked to the owner myself and this problem was related to me by his neighbor. Long way to have your truck taken by flat bed. ULSD can only be obtained from Guerro Negro North at last check. The Chev had been driven a lot in Baja Sur.

Bob and Susan - 11-1-2009 at 07:04 AM

another urban myth...
heard from a friend of a friend...

diesels don't have spark plugs anyway
what kind of plug was lost?

the ultra low fuel is ONLY needed to meet smog requirements in the states

to meet these emission standards the manuf
needs to remove sulfur from the mix

the particulate filter burns off clean if any clogging occurs

our first 2007 had a software problem
within the first 1000 miles (in the states)
that had to do with the particulate filter

since then dodge has "flashed" the computer 3 times
with updates when serviced

Pescador - 11-1-2009 at 07:54 AM

Bob, of the newer Dodge Diesel trucks, which year seems to be the best? My 2001 is still going strong, but I get worried when I look at the newer trucks. I would not consider a Ford or a Chevy diesel in the pickup but the new Dodge has had some reported problems. Guess I could get in to the used market if I had to.

Bob and Susan - 11-1-2009 at 09:45 AM

my dodge had a couple of wire and
computer problems but warranty took care of that

my neighbors dodge trans had problems shifting
$600 fixed (at the dealer)

my old 2003 diesel had a lift pump go out

my 1999 chevy 1 ton gas unit lost a trans

there are always problems with trucks

i have a ford "super duty" 3/4 ton too...
it's kinda made junky compared to the dodge

i think they are all the same

durrelllrobert - 11-1-2009 at 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
another urban myth...
heard from a friend of a friend...

the particulate filter burns off clean if any clogging occurs

:?:

Maybe Volvo diesles engines in boats are different but the deisle sold for boats at the Coral Marina in Ensenada regularly clogs up the particulate filters within 5-6 hours and they have to be replaced since they are not self-cleaning :?:

fishingmako - 11-1-2009 at 07:22 PM

HERE IS THE DEAL, EITHER DRIVE IT OR STAY HOME , THERE ARE PEOPLE WITH OLD, NEW AND IN BETWEEN, NO PROBLEMS, REAL SIMPLE, IF IT BOTHERS YOU TO FUEL IN MEXICO, I SAY DON'T BRING TRUCK TO MEXICO, HOW HARD IS THIS DISCUSSION, IT COMES AND GOES ON THIS BOARD MORE THAN IT SHOULD, I HEAR PEOPLE SAY THE OLDER DIESELS ARE BETTER, SIMPLE SOLUTION BUY OLDER, OTHERS SAY I WANT NEW, THEN BUY NEW, YOU HAVE READ ENOUGH NOW, IT IS UP TO YOU, BUY WHAT YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH?????

David K - 11-2-2009 at 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishingmako
HERE IS THE DEAL, EITHER DRIVE IT OR STAY HOME , THERE ARE PEOPLE WITH OLD, NEW AND IN BETWEEN, NO PROBLEMS, REAL SIMPLE, IF IT BOTHERS YOU TO FUEL IN MEXICO, I SAY DON'T BRING TRUCK TO MEXICO, HOW HARD IS THIS DISCUSSION, IT COMES AND GOES ON THIS BOARD MORE THAN IT SHOULD, I HEAR PEOPLE SAY THE OLDER DIESELS ARE BETTER, SIMPLE SOLUTION BUY OLDER, OTHERS SAY I WANT NEW, THEN BUY NEW, YOU HAVE READ ENOUGH NOW, IT IS UP TO YOU, BUY WHAT YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH?????

DITTO!

gatopelon - 11-21-2009 at 09:38 AM

Fellow Mexico Travelers, It's now Nov 2009 how good is the low sulfur diesel at this point? One of the Dodge trucks is and 06 and will burn both. The other is a 07 or 08 and has to burn the low sulfur. We want to drive down in the spring of 2010.
We want to drive down Baja to Mulege for a stay then take the ferry to Guaymas and drive on down to San Blas Nayarit. :cool:

David K - 11-21-2009 at 09:41 AM

Ummm... read the posts above yours... oh, welcome to Nomad!

boe4fun - 11-21-2009 at 09:46 AM

I copied this off of the Vagabundos forum:
HOLA, I'M BRINGING IN AN OLD SUBJECT WITH A PROBLEM HERE WITH MY NEIGHBOR IN LOS BARRILES GMC DIESEL PICKUP. HE BOUGHT HIS NEW DIESEL TRUCK LAST YEAR AND DROVE IT DOWN TO LOS BARRILES AND BACK TO THE STATES WITH NO APPARENT PROBLEMS. THIS YEAR HE DROVE IT DOWN AND WHEN HE WAS READY TO LEAVE FOR THE STATES, HE ENCOUNTERED A MAJOR PROBLEM. ONE OF THE SENSORS STATED HE HAD HIGH SULFER CONTENT AND THE TRUCK WOULDN'T RUN CORRECTLY. WHEN HE HAD IT TRUCKED TO THE LA PAZ GMC DEALER, THEY REFUSED TO SERVICE IT. HE WENT TO LA PAZ AND FOUND THAT THE TRUCKING/TOWING SERVICE HAD PARKED IT IN A JUNKYARD.

HE ARRANGED FOR A TRANSPORTATION COMPANY TO PUT HIS TRUCK IN AN ENCLOSED BIG RIG AND IS SHIPPING IT BACK TO THE STATES FOR $ 1,800.00 AND WILL DEAL WITH IT WHEN HE AND THE TRUCK GET TO THE GMC DEALER IN THE STATES. I DON'T KNOW THE COST OF SHIPPING IT TO LA PAZ FROM LOS BARRILES.

THE MILEAGE HE PUT ON THE TRUCK IN MEXICO WAS ABOUT 3,300 MILES BUT WHEN HE CROSSED THE BORDER INTO MEXICO, HE DID HAVE ULSD SO I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY MILES HE WENT BEFORE FILLING UP AGAIN WITH THE HIGH SULFER DIESEL.

I HAVE HEARD THAT FORD HAS AN ADDITIVE AND I HAVE ALSO HEARD THAT THERE WERE SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE NEW DODGE DIESELS AS WELL.

I SPOKE WITH A TECH PERSON TODAY AND HE SAID THAT ON THE LITERATURE, IT IS STATED THAT YOU MAY NOT USE HIGH SULFER DIESEL AND IF YOU DO, IT WILL NULLIFY THE WARRANTY.

IF YOU OWN A NEWER DIESEL, I WOULD SUGGEST THAT YOU READ YOUR VEHICLE LITERATURE TO BE ON THE SAFE SIDE BEFORE DRIVING IT DOWN.

I DO NOT OWN A DIESEL TRUCK AND AM JUST PASSING VALIDATED, FIRST HAND INFORMATION.

BIEN SALUD, JAMES H

David K - 11-21-2009 at 10:01 AM

There is no 'High Sulfur' diesel in Mexico... not for quite some time.

================================================================

This is from the owner of a Pemex station who is also a Nomad, from 2007:

================================================================
posted on 6-27-2007 at 11:37 PM

Diesel Bajo Azufre...

My friends,

For several months now, Pemex Refinacion (that is the part of Pemex that produces fuel) has been producing Low Sulfur Diesel, known in Mexico as "Pemex Diesel Bajo Azufre".

This type of Diesel has been distributed all around Mexico for more than 8 months now, slowly replacing the old one (When received, it gets mixed with the old one, so it takes a while to reach it's optimal low sulfur quality).

Pemex also sent mobile laboratories throughout Baja to check on the new Diesel quality at the beginning of this year... they arrived at BajaCactus in february 2007... they checked our Diesel and told us it was already 98% Low Sulfur, back then, and according to them, at our Gas Station, it should not have taken more than a couple of weeks to achieve it's optimal levels.

At this point it is supposed to be all around Mexico.

On a related note, also Premium fuel has also been upgraded to a Ultra Low Sulfur version, known as "Premium UBA" (Ultra Bajo Azufre).

Regarding the quantity of sulfur in each fuel, I do not know... but if you guys really need/want to know, I would be happy to try and find out for you.

In the near future, you may begin to see the change in the Gas Stations signs of the new fuel... it just takes a while since those are expensive and the owner of the Gas Station has to pay for them out of their profits.

Hope this info helps my friends.

BajaCactus
"Where the Baja is so much more than a dream..."

[Edited on 11-21-2009 by David K]

Diesel_Premium.jpg - 40kB

mtgoat666 - 11-21-2009 at 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
There is no 'High Sulfur' diesel in Mexico... not for quite some time.

actually, that may be incorrect.

several years ago pemex began selling low sulfur diesel in the border region, but the schedule for nationwide rollout was to complete it by fall 2009. i suspect that like many efforts there has been some schedule slip... :?:

perhaps diesel in border region is low sulfur, but diesel in other regions may still be high sulfur.

David K - 11-21-2009 at 11:08 AM

Don't take my word for it... I am refering to the Pemex expert on Nomad... The low sulfer diesel is 'supplied' near the border THEN transported to the entire state of Baja California by tanker trucks. The fuel depot near Ensenada supplies all of Hwy. 1 Pemex stations south of there in the state... and they only have one kind of diesel... LOW SULFUR. Pemex is the wholesale supplier... Pemex franchises are the retail vendor.

mtgoat666 - 11-21-2009 at 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Don't take my word for it... I am refering to the Pemex expert on Nomad... The low sulfer diesel is 'supplied' near the border THEN transported to the entire state of Baja California by tanker trucks. The fuel depot near Ensenada supplies all of Hwy. 1 Pemex stations south of there in the state... and they only have one kind of diesel... LOW SULFUR. Pemex is the wholesale supplier... Pemex franchises are the retail vendor.

dk:
ulsd is available reliably only in the border region where trucks that cross border are required to run ulsd. many places in mexico, including baja sur, do not retail ulsd.
while ulsd may be available as far south as el rosario, it is not normally imported and sold in baja sur.

gatopelon - 11-21-2009 at 11:39 AM

Anybody got info on the availability of low sulfur diesel on the mainland?

Oggie - 11-21-2009 at 11:40 AM

Quote:

Maybe there is some confusion on the types of low sulfur diesel. The allowable sulfur content for ULSD (15 ppm) is much lower than the previous U.S. on-highway standard for low sulfur diesel (LSD, 500 ppm). I think that low sulfur diesel is available thru-out Baja, but the Ultra low sulfur diesel is only available near the border. Most of the newer diesel trucks(2007 & Newer) require the Ultra Low Sulfur diesel.

Hook - 11-21-2009 at 03:33 PM

I agree completely with Oggie. There is low sulphur and there is ultra low sulphur. I think all of Mexico has, at least, low sulphur. Some ports may still be dispensing good old high sulphur diesel.

I run diesel over here in Sonora in a boat and a truck and it ACTS like it is still not ULSD. It runs quieter than when I used to run the ULSD in the States and it smokes a bit more. I can determine no difference between the street pump diesel and the diesel I buy at the floating dock in San Carlos. But this is definitely not a commercial port.

Oggie, Hook and other Diesel Nomads

David K - 11-21-2009 at 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Oggie

Quote:

FROM JUNE 2007:

posted on 6-27-2007 at 11:15 PM

Sulfur Content...

Ok Guys, here you go... the memo (resumed and translated, if you want to read the full note, in spanish, go to: http://www.apartados.hacienda.gob.mx/novedades/espanol/docs/...):

On January 30th, 2006, the Secretary for the Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), published in the Federal Official Diary, the "Specifications for fossil fuels for the protection of the environment", in which are stated the new requirements Pemex will have to comply with, in order to produce and commercialized the fuels and diesel that are sell throughout our country.

The new Premium Ultra Low Sulfur, should have an average of 30 millions per part of sulfur (30 ppm), while the new Pemex Diesel Ultra Low Sulfur will have a maximum of 15 ppm.

These new norms and specifications, are the result of a revision process that started in May of 2002, and in which the private, public and academic sectors participated.

It must be noted that Pemex began to delivered the Premium fuel with the required specifications on October 2006. The quality required should be gradually met, due to the actual existence of fuel in the Gas Station's tanks, with a high content of Sulfur.

Regarding Diesel Ultra Low Sulfur (Diesel UBA), it's introduction began on October 2006, in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. In January 2007 in will be extensive throughout the Northern part of Mexico and then to the rest of the country.

We should be reminded that in Mexico we only have two kinds of Diesel... Regular diesel and Marine diesel... that is it... while in the States the are several ones, each with different quality and quantities of sulfur.

BajaCactus
"Where the Baja is so much more than a dream..."

[Edited on 6-28-2007 by BajaCactus]

Did you guys see it: "Pemex Diesel Ultra Low Sulfur will have a maximum of 15 ppm." once all the stations hve been refilled with the new formula... that was 2 1/2 years ago... and Mexico uses a lot of diesel... I think they have had enough time to have been converted???

Hook - 11-21-2009 at 04:06 PM

Yeah, and there was plenty of time to finish the Escalera Nautica.

I still dont think it's ULSD down here, judging by my tailpipe.

David K - 11-21-2009 at 04:13 PM

Read where Antonio mentions Marine Diesel being the only other diesel produced (since 2007) in Mexico... So you either have Ultra Low 15 ppm or Marine diesel, unless your tank has 2-3 year old fuel?

Heck, who knows for sure... Maybe take a sample to a lab and see?

I just wanted any Nomads who were not going to Baja because of the fuel to eliminate that excuse!

DeMinimis - 11-24-2009 at 01:13 PM

Oggie, you beat me to it: ultra low vs. low sulfur.

I don't know if any factory service wrenchers are on here or not, but I'd recommend when it comes to your $40/50+K rig, you don't get your diesel mechanical knowledge from a bunch of people with shrimp tacos on the brain (me included). Digesting anecdotal tales is not good research. Ask your service rep or check the plethora of model-specific boards out there for some good accurate advice (although there is little agreement out there as well).

Now, what would be very helpful, in my opinion, is a first-hand report of which Pemex stations specifically are carrying ultra low sulfur diesel (at least selling diesel posted as such). This issue is weighing heavy on my little brain as I'm looking at selling my '03 Sportsmobile 7.3PSD and replacing it with a '07/newer diesel pickup. Trying to determine just how many yellow Jerry Cans I need to order for our next trip. :biggrin:

Lifted from RVonline and Dated Oct, 2009:
"
As of the time of writing of this article Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) is available only in the following locations in Mexico:

* The entire state of Baja California. Its sister state Baja California Sur does not have ULSD.
* According to the station owner (Señor Meza) the Pemex station in the town of El Rosario (160 miles south of Ensenada) is the last chance to purchase ULSD on Mex 1 when headed south in Baja California.
* A narrow strip adjacent to the United States that varies in depth from ten miles to thirty miles depending on whether or not north-south highway arteries are present.
* Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel is available in certain limited areas of Mexico solely because its use is mandatory in diesel transport trucks that cross the border into the United States.
* Because of the worldwide economic slump plans to modify Pemex refineries have been frozen. There is a shortage of ULSD fuel in the USA so the dispensing of ULSD to Mexico has been strictly limited to such quantity that permits Mexican trucks to legally operate in the USA according to NAFTA agreements. Anything left over for non-commercial use should be considered a bonus.
* I have read various online accounts that claim ULSD is being sold in the cities of Monterrey, Guadalajara and Mexico City. I am skeptical of these claims because ULSD must be transported solely by tanker truck from the United States and the number of diesel vehicles running around in these huge cities would require such a vast amount of fuel it would far outstrip the logistic ability to deliver sufficient ULSD, and then secondly it would drain an excessive amount of precious ULSD from US inventories.
* Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel is not present at the southern border areas with Belize or Guatemala.

It is unlikely that this situation will change in the foreseeable future. -David Eidell"

[Edited on 11-24-2009 by DeMinimis]

David K - 11-24-2009 at 05:15 PM

Just how old is that article? Where did the RV site drag it up from?

David Eidell was last seen in the USA in 2002 and has since been bouncing around Mexico for all we know?

David Eidell was our guest in the Viva Baja van trip of 2001.

Here is Neal Johns pulling a cholla cactus off Eidell's foot:

Eidell did write a nice article about M's BBBB party we went to and our lost mission search that day... it is still online, I think?

Anyway... where did you find that old article about diesel?(The El Rosario Pemex owner is Antonio Muñoz...)

Again, what Antonio posted 2 yers ago:

>>>Regarding Diesel Ultra Low Sulfur (Diesel UBA), it's introduction began on October 2006, in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. In January 2007 in will be extensive throughout the Northern part of Mexico and then to the rest of the country.

We should be reminded that in Mexico we only have two kinds of Diesel... Regular diesel and Marine diesel... that is it... while in the States the are several ones, each with different quality and quantities of sulfur.

BajaCactus
"Where the Baja is so much more than a dream..."<<<

[Edited on 11-25-2009 by David K]

DeMinimis - 11-24-2009 at 05:21 PM

Was dated 10/09 on rvonline's site.

cftlet - 11-24-2009 at 05:28 PM

Unfortunatley I own a 2008 F350diesel.Ispent three months in Los Barriles last year and I got back two weeks ago for the winter.I have probably put 8,000 baja miles on.The truck is piece of crap and Im having lots of trouble with it(both here and the states) but none of the problems are related to the fuel. I would not let the fuel question effect you plans.Just drink more pacificos and dont drive. :bounce:

DeMinimis - 11-24-2009 at 05:45 PM

...and it parallels some of what I'd read from Baja chase chase drivers. Its certainly causing me some pause. Would like to get a '08, but I'm a little unnerved over the diesel issue in BCS. The possibility of having a 100k warranty go up in smoke does give one pause. Unfortunately, I wasn't thinking about this last week when my in-laws made the trek down to BCS. I'm going to ask them to hit some of the larger stations around los Cabos and see if any are listing their fuel as ultra low, although I fear I already know the answer. I'll report back any findings. Also, we're flying down in a little more than one week for a quick fix. I'll do some checking when there and report back as well.

David K - 11-24-2009 at 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DeMinimis
Was dated 10/09 on rvonline's site.

I just tried to go to 'RVonline', without success... Would you mind providing the link to that page please.

David Eidell was a big time posted on the old Amigos board... He disappeared about the same time Nomad ws starting up. There have been people who emailed some of us (David's old amigos) looking for him...

Anyone out there see David Eidell?

Here he is with El Jefe at my Viva Baja II party, in 2001.

Here at Viva Baja #1 (Oct., 2000)

DeMinimis - 11-24-2009 at 06:02 PM

David, we've got to work on those search skills :yes:

Here it is:
http://www.rversonline.org/ArtMexULSD.html

David, how's the Taco holding up?

monoloco - 11-24-2009 at 06:03 PM

There are a lot of diesel specific sites like powerstroke.org where you will get answers from diesel technicians about the consequences of running higher sulfur diesel. I'm just going to keep the old 7.3 going as long as I can because it loves Mexican diesel.

DeMinimis - 11-24-2009 at 06:09 PM

Yes, the 6.4 did not turn out to be all that was promised. You've got to wonder what the Ford execs were thinking when they thought they needed to replace the bombproof 7.3 with the 6.0 and then the 6.4 and now the new 6.7. My '03 7.3 is amazing. No yo comprendo. Anyway, I'm going Duramax this go 'round, but I digress.

Quote:

Originally posted by cftlet
Unfortunatley I own a 2008 F350diesel.Ispent three months in Los Barriles last year and I got back two weeks ago for the winter.I have probably put 8,000 baja miles on.The truck is piece of crap and Im having lots of trouble with it(both here and the states) but none of the problems are related to the fuel. I would not let the fuel question effect you plans.Just drink more pacificos and dont drive. :bounce:

David K - 11-24-2009 at 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DeMinimis
David, we've got to work on those search skills :yes:

Here it is:
http://www.rversonline.org/ArtMexULSD.html

David, how's the Taco holding up?

The Taco is awesome... 102,000 miles... 4.5 years old... no breakdowns... runs like new! Oh what a feeling!

As for the link... THANKS... Now, about what Dah-veed posted:
"According to the station owner (Señor Meza) the Pemex station in the town of El Rosario (160 miles south of Ensenada) is the last chance to purchase ULSD on Mex 1 when headed south in Baja California."

THIS IS FALSE... That's not the correct last name of the owner, who does know there are more stations and diesel vendors south of him that get fuel from the same El Sauzal depot... and if they only have been making ULS diesel and marine diesel since 2007, is it Marine Diesel being sold in La Paz at Pemex?

I sure don't want any of you diesel owners to have problems... But, many Nomads (like Bob & Susan) have been using Baja Sur diesel in their NEW trucks without problems... and I am only questioning the logic of rumors of different diesels being sold if they only offer one kind of truck diesel in Mexico.

[Edited on 12-9-2009 by David K]

fishingmako - 11-24-2009 at 07:24 PM

AND MY 6.0 IS FANTASTIC, RUNS ON ANY DIESEL, US OR MEX, ZIPPO PROBLEMS, I LOVE IT AND WOULDN'T TRADE IT FOR ANYTHING.

GO BUY WHAT YOU WANT.

DeMinimis - 11-24-2009 at 07:27 PM

Hard to beat a Toy for reliability. I just wish they made a 1-ton diesel, 4x4, quad cab, long bed.....with a 100 gal fuel tank.

805gregg - 11-24-2009 at 08:51 PM

My last 2001 Dodge sold to a friend at 12000 miles is still going strong at 260,000 no work on the engine and original transmission. He uses this truck to tow dump trailers and in construction. Toyota doesn't have any lock on reliability.
Now David take that reliable Toy with no rear disc brakes and get your recall done, along with 4 million others, so you don't go into a run away high speed crash. The most popular car in America is now a Ford. Maybe Toyotas flash in the pan is over.
[Edited on 11-25-2009 by 805gregg]

[Edited on 11-26-2009 by 805gregg]

DeMinimis - 11-24-2009 at 09:23 PM

Yup, that Cummins is one great engine. My fault for leading us astray from the OPs orig question about diesel. Talking politics and religion stir less emotion than talking trucks.

gatopelon - 11-25-2009 at 09:17 AM

I have an 04 Toyota Tacoma 4/4. With all the posts saying yes and no maybe so about ULSD. The Toyota sounds like it would be the truck to go with. The Ford just has SO much more space. Oh well you can't have everything. Thanks for all the posts.

monoloco - 11-25-2009 at 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DeMinimis
Yes, the 6.4 did not turn out to be all that was promised. You've got to wonder what the Ford execs were thinking when they thought they needed to replace the bombproof 7.3 with the 6.0 and then the 6.4 and now the new 6.7. My '03 7.3 is amazing. No yo comprendo. Anyway, I'm going Duramax this go 'round, but I digress.

Ford is coming out with an all new Powerstroke in 2011. It is a 6.7 liter that is designed and built by Ford. According to Ford the motor will produce more power and be more fuel efficient than the 6.0 or the 6.4. They claim to have thoroughly tested this motor in the harshest conditions and it's currently undergoing extensive real world testing by industries that are notoriously hard on trucks. One nice feature of the new truck is a power take off that can be used to run hydraulic pumps, generators, compressors etc. The new trucks will also be sporting an all new tranny.

BigWooo - 11-26-2009 at 07:28 AM

Although it's a Chevy based site, the website dieselplace.com has a contributor named Ted White, I'm not sure if he's a mechanic, or what, but he does seem to know what he's talking about. He has published a lot of information on the LSD vs ULSD subject. You can do a search for his name and read the info. Here's a summary from one of his posts:

Quote:

If you search my posts back into 2007 you will see that I have contributed extensive information about the effects, or lack thereof, of lsd on the emissions system and/or engine.

In order to avoid posting pages and pages of data all over again, the bottom line is, the reason using lsd in our trucks is illegal is because using lsd produces unacceptable levels of sulfur particulate emissions. It has ALMOST NOTHING to do with whether or not the engine and DPF/DOC will be able to handle the higher sulfur fuel.

Again, if you search my posts, you will find the links to scientific testing done by the manufacturers which show that there has to be continuous use of lsd fuel for more than 40,000 miles before any measurable drop in performance of the emissions system occurs. You would have to use it for more than 100,000 continuous miles to reduce the effective life of the DPF.

I have been keeping track of more than a dozen 2007.5 and newer trucks in Mexico since mid 2007, some of which return to the USA and Canada each summer, and some of which stay in Mexico, where the fuel is still mostly lsd. Not a single truck has had a day of problems due to fuel, and I have yet to find a single failure of a DPF reported on this forum

In other words, if you happen to be using lsd fuel occasionally, it is NOT going to cause problems for the engine or emissions system. However, if you use it continuously, you can expect white smoke emissions during regeneration as sulfur compound are burned out of the DPF.

I have an '08 Duramax that will live in BCS soon. I've only made one trip south in it, so I haven't run it enough on the LSD to have much of an experience base. I've had some reservations about the fuel, but based on what I've read here and the large group he's surveyed, I'm not going to loose any sleep over it.

gatopelon - 12-9-2009 at 12:05 PM

I sent off an email to Pemex asking them about their ULSD availabillty on Baja and the Mainland. This what I got back so far. Let's see if they follow though...... ??? :coolup:

They be respond, that's something.

Thanks much for your comment we are sending it to the corresponding area for a follow up.

Cordially yours,

De: gkpelon@aol.com [mailto:gkpelon@aol.com]
Enviado el: martes, 24 de noviembre de 2009 04:12 p.m.
Para: petroleosmexicanos@pemex.com
Asunto: Mensaje del Portal PEMEX.com: Cartas al Director General

Nombre : gato pelon
Ocupación: retired
Teléfono:
Ciudad:
Mensaje:

Want to drive in this spring as far as San Blas Nayarit. I own a 08 Ford diesel That runs only on ultra low sulfur diesel. Is the ultra low sulfur diesel available everywhere in Baja and mainland Mexico yet?

__________________________________________________________
Mensaje enviado desde www.pemex.com

David K - 12-9-2009 at 04:22 PM

Remember Pemex (in previous letters) only provides the locations of depots where the ULS diesel is, such as El Sauzal (next to Ensenada)... All the stations in north/west Baja and along Hwy. 1 to Bahia de los Angeles, and maybe Villa Jesus Maria get their fuel from El Sauzal.

Since El Rosario has had ULSD for almost three years now, it would seem unlikly that the rest of the republic hasn't caught up... But, this is Mexico, afterall???