Tuesday, November 1, 2011
PEMEX - The Facts About Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD)
8:09 PM John Pack No comments
by Aura Catalina, Baja Good Life Club Staff Writer
Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) is the type of diesel fuel which has very low sulfur content. ULSD is more environmentally friendly as compared with
Low Sulfur Diesel fuel (LSD). Starting with 2006, ULSD has been widely available across North America and Europe. This occurred because the countries
from North American and Europe adopted new emission standards which involved extensive use of ULSD. Some countries from the rest of the world took
similar measures while others lagged behind.
In 2004, a team of experts set up a plan which would substantially improve the quality of air in Mexico. The main recommendation of this plan was to
have Mexico comply with the new emission standards already in use in many countries. Even though the Mexican environmental agency (SEMARNAT)
stipulated that PEMEX should make ULSD widely available by 2009, it did not implement any new emission standards. As a result, PEMEX failed to meet
the deadline, and ULSD can be purchased only in the northern border area, Mexico City, and Guadalajara.
Starting with 2007, all Diesel vehicles manufactured in US have been designed for ULSD. There has been a lot of debate over the impact of LSD on newer
diesels that run on ULSD. Many experts and owners agree that LSD does not affect the performance of the vehicle. The real issue lies in the fact that
a person might lose their warranty for some components in case they use LSD on a ULSD vehicle.
The efforts of the Mexican government to make ULSD available have met with limited success so far. Owners of vehicles which run on ULSD can purchase
the fuel in Northern Baja. Unfortunately, PEMEX gas stations located in Southern Baja sell only LSD fuel brought from the mainland. To find the
stations with ULSD, look for the words "bajo azufre", which translated means “low-sulfur“, below the word "Diesel" on the gas station signage.
RELATED STORY: About Pemex
Posted in: BC - Mexico,Energy,Featured,MexicoDavidE - 11-3-2011 at 01:03 PM
Unh Unh!
Newest vehicles have particulate filters which absolutely will clog up on LSD which is the only diesel pemex refines. Repair costs thousands of
dollars. All of state of BC has imported ULSD, all of BCS has LSD.David K - 11-3-2011 at 01:25 PM
Check with Nomads who have new diesel trucks and haven't had any problems in Baja Sur (that I have read yet)... Ones that live there like Bob &
Susan would have a problem the soonest, I would think?bajatravelergeorge - 11-3-2011 at 03:42 PM
The vehicle manufacturers can tell how much low sulfer diesel you have used and if they determine a failure happened because of you using the low
sulfer diesel, they will not cover the repair. If you happen to run a tank full through every once in a while, its not going to damage anything.
The particulate filters don't clog up on a Ford. (2008-2010). You will just have to go through the burn off sequence more often. 2007 and older Fords
can run on L.S.D. without any problems.
I wouldn't even try to run L.S.D. through the new Ford 6.7L diesels.BajaWarrior - 11-3-2011 at 04:46 PM
The last time I brought up this subject ('bout two months ago) it was because I had just purchased a new 2012 Super Duty with the 6.7 diesel and was
told here by a few that the diesel in Baja Norte actually comes from Long Beach and is ULSD.
Having the new truck with much better mileage than the last '06 with the 6.0 we can comfortably go round trip (border, casa, border) without topping
off.
I was also told to look for the ULSD sign at the stations but have not seen that posted so I'm still not sure and not willing to experiment on my new
truck. We have two Toyota beaters we keep down there so we have wheels while we're there.
Hook - 11-3-2011 at 06:08 PM
So, Chuck, what were you getting with the 6.0 and what are you getting with the 6.7.
I am a little bit reluctant to ask, as I suspect you have a rather heavy foot. bajatravelergeorge - 11-3-2011 at 06:56 PM
WOW! Nice rig Chuck.
Baja norte diesel has been Ultra Low Sulfer Diesel since late 2009. My fuel economy has dropped about 15% compared to what I used to get with the low
sulfer.BajaWarrior - 11-3-2011 at 07:59 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
So, Chuck, what were you getting with the 6.0 and what are you getting with the 6.7.
I am a little bit reluctant to ask, as I suspect you have a rather heavy foot.
Hi Hook!
Yes, heavy foot indeed, also, longbed, larger tires, always a full load, dogs, refreshments, ice only cooler, food cooler, lumber rack, 4x4. Loaded!
So, about 12 with conditions above. And towing our ToyHauler to Havasu for summertime about 10 mpg. Also, I went through two yes two Turbos and a set
of head gaskets, all under warranty and never left me stranded, always get the warranty...
We're getting about 16 with the same conditions again above with the 6.7 and boy is it quiet and powerful plus the new Lariat has all the bells and
whistles including backup camera in the tailgate with the screen in the rear view mirror, great for hooking up the trailers.
This '99 was a really good truck with zero problems in 117,000 miles but it had the V-10 with 4:56 gears and was hard on fuel, but the sticker price
was so low back in the day it was worth it and didn't have to play the "where's the diesel stations game" either side of the border.
I keep moving the same lumber rack from truck to truck...
'99F350
'06 F350
2012 F350 BajaWarrior - 11-3-2011 at 08:06 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by bajatravelergeorge
WOW! Nice rig Chuck.
Baja norte diesel has been Ultra Low Sulfer Diesel since late 2009. My fuel economy has dropped about 15% compared to what I used to get with the low
sulfer.
Hi George!
Thanks! We met a couple of years ago, my wife and I while riding our quads came upon you near your home overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Thanks for the hospitality and the Heinekins. You've got a great spot there. We don't get over there to La Bocana that often, mostly we're at our
place below San Felipe.
I see your Red rig from time to time in Kearny Mesa, I'll have to stop in and chat sometime. David K - 11-4-2011 at 10:36 AM
Low Sulfur and Ultra Low Sulfur Pemex signs:
(looking for a UBA diesel one still)
[Edited on 11-4-2011 by David K]
BajaWarrior - 11-4-2011 at 03:21 PM
Thanks David for posting the signs, however they are not at any of the (3) stations in the San Felipe area. Even the newer station at the "Rockodile"
sign does not display these. The newest station is adjacent to Playa del Sol just North of town which actually that one does not have Diesel anyway.David K - 11-4-2011 at 07:38 PM
Baja Cactus and others do have the new diesel sign with UBA on it.. I just can't find a photo showing it... sorry!wakemall - 11-4-2011 at 10:50 PM
Sounds like a Nomad needs to have a 2006 or older Ford diesel truck. Guess I am safe with my 03. Although the Powerstroke 6.0 has had issues.David K - 11-5-2011 at 08:51 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by wakemall
Sounds like a Nomad needs to have a 2006 or older Ford diesel truck. Guess I am safe with my 03. Although the Powerstroke 6.0 has had issues.
Nomads in Baja Sur have new trucks... but if you are really worried, then stay in Baja Norte... the state only sells Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel...bajatravelergeorge - 11-7-2011 at 05:56 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by wakemall
Sounds like a Nomad needs to have a 2006 or older Ford diesel truck. Guess I am safe with my 03. Although the Powerstroke 6.0 has had issues.
The 2007 Ford 6.0 will run on LSD just fine, and they had the issues worked out of the engine by then. Except the oil leak issue. But that always
popped up early enough that it was covered by the warranty.
