Here is something I found on the Baja Western Onion.
Gasoline Situation In TS And Area - Last year I did a extensive research project into whether we were getting what we paid for at the various Pemex
stations in TS, Pescadero, La Paz, Cabo, and Los Bariles. Two things got me started; One was a comment by a lady in TS as to the poor fuel economy she
was getting. The other was a the stations at La Paz Los Bariles and north of El Centenario which advertised "Litros completos" as something special. I
realized that a fast and accurate and repeatable method was to buy "veinte litros" and then to weigh it with a good quality digital bathroom scale I
had. Some research indicated that 20 litres in my plastic gas can should weigh very close to 34.5 lbs on my scale. Last years test verified that the
station that were advertising "Litros Completos" in fact were!!! And all the stations in there area were to (no surprise really). The Ejido gas
station just north of TS was only a little "light" at about 4-5%. The station in TS was the most light varying from 18% to about 9% and averaging
about 12%. To put this in context, if they did 200 sales of 50 litres each it would amount to about US$1,000,000.00 over a 3 year period of "extra
profit" to the station franchisee. Pescadero was less ambitious at about 9% light (both pump islands were the same. It is educational when you realize
that every station has a carefully calibrated test tube to verify there pump's accuracy. There is a certain station in LaPaz that delivers "litros
completos y pocito mas" and my test verifies this claim of there's.
Anyway this year I decided to see what the situation was. was pleased to see that the station north of TS in fact now delivers "litros completos"
(right about 34.4-34.5 lbs) The station in town seems to be at about 9% light. Interestingly the same as Pescadero. If they did the same 200 sales of
50 litres each it would take more than 4 years to achieve US$1,000.000.00 in extra profit. In the current economic situation that is not likely.
Anyway i hope you find this entertaining. What pleased me the most is exposing this can cause a change is illustrated by the station north of TS and
the stations in La Paz that all seem to be spot on. -
The author of this article has asked to be anonymousmonoloco - 2-4-2010 at 07:36 AM
The Pemex in Pescadero and the one on the corner in Todos Santos have been ripping us off for years. The last time I filled my 19L gas can in
Pescadero they managed to put 24.45 liters in it. I refuse to buy gas from either of those stations unless it's an emergency.k-rico - 2-4-2010 at 08:15 AM
I don't know anything about gas pumps but the implication here is that station owners can adjust the pump calibration and that they are intentionally
doing so in their favor.
Maybe.
During my last trip south in October I had an unusually expensive fill-up. I forget where.
Found this on another website.
Few people will take the time and write a letter of complaint to Pemex if they are ripped off in a station. The best thing to do is to try to
explain the problem to the station manager and if that tactic doesn't work, copy down the station number, time and date and circumstances. The next
time you encounter a Green Angel ask them to provide a form complaint letter. Fill it out and hand it over to them. You may not get your wrong
righted, but the station owner must fill out and sign the lengthy form and send it back to Pemex. It is rumored that the process is a pain-in-the-ass
for station owners.
[Edited on 2-4-2010 by k-rico]monoloco - 2-4-2010 at 08:24 AM
I think that the problem is with PROFECO. They are responsible for checking the accuracy of the pumps, many complaints have been made to them and they
do nothing. The only explanation that makes any sense to me is that they are on the take and in collusion with the rip-off Pemexes.Dave - 2-4-2010 at 01:19 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by k-rico
The best thing to do is to try to explain the problem to the station manager
Sounds like a good way to get your a$$ thrown in jail. mtgoat666 - 2-4-2010 at 01:37 PM
When tempted to worry about fuel scams, take a deep breath and think:
Always look on the bright sight of life
C'est la vie
Que sera, sera
What goes around comes around
and
Don't worry, be happy!BajaGringo - 2-4-2010 at 01:41 PM
The problem with weight measurement is that gasoline varies in composition. It is not an exact formula but a mixture of hundreds of hydrocarbons and
volatile organic compounds. It's density may vary and so may the weight of a liter of gasoline. You buy gasoline by the volume so your best bet is to
get a calibrated container like this one:
They make them in metric as well. Let us know how it goes...monoloco - 2-4-2010 at 02:23 PM
My method of checking is less than scientific but I don't think that fuel density can explain how one station can put 3.5 liters more than another in
the same container.BajaGringo - 2-4-2010 at 02:25 PM
You're right but it just looks so official when you are using one of those calibration cans. All the stations know them and you won't even have to
explain to them your dismay...monoloco - 2-4-2010 at 02:43 PM
What's surprising to me is how all the locals here know what's going on and just accept it. Well, I guess, they are used to getting ripped off on a
regular basis.wessongroup - 2-4-2010 at 02:50 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666
When tempted to worry about fuel scams, take a deep breath and think:
Always look on the bright sight of life
C'est la vie
Que sera, sera
What goes around comes around
and
Don't worry, be happy!
must agree with you on that
Whatayagonnado?
Dave - 2-4-2010 at 03:02 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by monoloco
What's surprising to me is how all the locals here know what's going on and just accept it. Well, I guess, they are used to getting ripped off on a
regular basis.
Hitch up to San Ysidro and fill up a can? monoloco - 2-4-2010 at 03:05 PM
I just fill up at the station north of Todos Santos that is honest.Don Alley - 2-4-2010 at 03:10 PM
At peak hours, you get a choice in Loreto:
Go to the station that everyone knows gives full liters, and be prepared to wait in line.
Or, go to the station that gives short liters and drive right up to the pump.
I bet the station that sells the full liters makes more money, but the other stations are part of a big BCS chain.ELINVESTIG8R - 2-4-2010 at 03:34 PM
I trust BajaCactus' Pemex Station in El Rosario. I don’t know if he has any others. The crew in El Rosario are a good bunch of guys and gals. When I
go to get gas with my brother Sany while visiting Mama I like to kid around with them. Recently when I was there Antonio had just put in new gas pumps
and I physically saw them calibrating everything with digital equipment. I always stop by his hotel to see if he has Baja Nomad Calcomanías. This last
time they were out. I go back to see Mama in May, 2010. If I am needed to drop some off let me know!
Davidmulegejim - 2-4-2010 at 04:19 PM
I always figure when I get gas in Baja that when I arrive I have so many pesos and they have so many liters of gasoline and when I leave I have less
pesos and they have less gasoline. Other than that you are just going to make yourself nuts. Just my humble take on the whole thing.monoloco - 2-4-2010 at 04:25 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by mulegejim
I always figure when I get gas in Baja that when I arrive I have so many pesos and they have so many liters of gasoline and when I leave I have less
pesos and they have less gasoline. Other than that you are just going to make yourself nuts. Just my humble take on the whole thing.
It's a little different when you live in a town and they have two dishonest stations and one honest one.
Pretty easy choice I'd say.mulegejim - 2-4-2010 at 04:50 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by monoloco
Quote:
Originally posted by mulegejim
I always figure when I get gas in Baja that when I arrive I have so many pesos and they have so many liters of gasoline and when I leave I have less
pesos and they have less gasoline. Other than that you are just going to make yourself nuts. Just my humble take on the whole thing.
It's a little different when you live in a town and they have two dishonest stations and one honest one.
Pretty easy choice I'd say.
True in that case!!BajaNomad - 2-4-2010 at 05:08 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaGringo
It's density may vary and so may the weight of a liter of gasoline.
The density or "specific gravity" of
automotive gasoline is within a fairly tight range - otherwise there's the potential of driveability issues. Oxygenated gasoline has a (slightly)
higher specific gravity because it's carrying "air" with it. Most non-oxygenated automotive gasoline I believe will fall in the .73-.76 range, and
oxygenated gasoline (and it depends on the oxygenate used) is (I think) somewhere more like .75-.79.
Essentially, automotive gasoline should weigh-in right about 3/4ths of the weight of water.
You have to allow for temperature variations.
Not certain, but this may be specified in ASTM D4814.
I'm no chemical engineer, but did carry around a kit (for business purposes) a number of years ago that contained a beaker, thermometer, and
automotive gasoline hydrometer to test such things.
-
Dougcomitan - 2-4-2010 at 05:09 PM
Just remember one thing, water is heavier than gas.( I hope I don't have to explain)BajaGringo - 2-4-2010 at 05:44 PM
Owned a laboratory and did a lot of testing on gasoline/oil products for years Doug and believe it or not, there is more variability than you think.
Shouldn't be but there is. Especially with some of the independent station operators north of the border who look to buy the cheapest they can find. A
little diesel has been known to find its way into the tanks on occasion as some wholesalers will do almost anything to make a sale sometimes.
Bottom line is that the unit of measure at the pump is a volume measurement, not weight which is why I made the suggestion...arrowhead - 2-4-2010 at 07:26 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaGringo
A little diesel has been known to find its way into the tanks on occasion as some wholesalers will do almost anything to make a sale sometimes.
Could you explain that? Since diesel is more expensive than regular gasoline, and has been for a good number of years now, how does one make more
money by adding a more expensive diesel product to a less expensive gasoline product and selling it at the lower price?
Thanks in advance for your explanation. BajaGringo - 2-4-2010 at 07:39 PM
Diesel, especially the low sulfur grade has a very high affinity for absorbing water. Diesel storage tanks absorb water through their tank vents,
especially along humid, coastal areas. The water forms a layer on the tank bottom. That dirty/water layer "should be" pumped off frequently. Small
time fuel wholesalers were famous for pumping from tank bottoms, pushing the "wet diesel" from tanks with little diesel left or blending some of it
with gasoline to knock a few pennies off the bulk price. Independent station operators were always looking to find any way to sell their gas cheaper
than the major oil branded stations.
This practice went on frequently and why we were called in from time to time to sample tank bottoms, truck deliveries or fuel tanks.
And your welcome...BillP - 2-5-2010 at 08:57 AM
I don't know how much has changed in the 15 years since my last trip, but we always figured getting ripped off at the pumps was just part of the Baja
deal and it didn't do any good to get upset about it. It certainly wasn't worth causing a big stink and risking going to jail. Besides, we were able
to run Nova which was quite cheap.comitan - 2-5-2010 at 10:05 AM
ok now its down and dirty, I have seen in both California and Mexico water hoses leading into the underground fuel tanks that would be a lot of
condensation!!!!!!!!!!roundtuit - 2-5-2010 at 04:59 PM
Downtown Mulege pumps are correct, 20 liters just alittle over 5 gal. On the Hwy they can get 25 liters in a 20 liter can. How do they do that BajaNomad - 2-6-2010 at 12:26 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaGringo
A little diesel has been known to find its way into the tanks on occasion...
And other things. I'm aware.
Anything that's a problem and difficult hazmat to dispose of.. commingled product, transmix, MMT, whatever, etc... high-level pumper stations made the
problem go away rather quickly for many.
dtutko1 - 2-7-2010 at 06:46 AM
here's another post from the Onion
Gas Pumps - I became suspcious of the gas pumps at Pescadero a couple of years back when I needed to fill a gas can, and considerably more than the
stated capacity was put in, so I decided to conduct my own partially scientific study. I run my truck on both gasoline and propane fuels. My owner's
manual says my gasoline tank has a 132 litre capacity. I ran it dry, then switched to propane, then filled up at the Pescadero Pemex, the Cabo Pemex
near Costco, and the Pemex at the north end of TS. I allowed for 2-litres extra for the filler pipe. Imagine my surprise when the Pescadero Pemex
managed to cram 145 litres of gasoline into my 134 litre tank and filler hose! I learned that the downtown TS Pemex is run by the same franchisee, so
I avoid that one too. I have "tested" 3 pumps at the Costco Pemex, and they have all been dead accurate. The Pemex at the north end ot TS is also
accurate, although I have only tested one pump. I decided to give the franchisee the benefit of the doubt and will believe the remaining pumps have
not been tampered with. Another scam. What makes it worse is that the locals are being cheated as well. The author of this article requested anonymity
