BajaNomad

Mexican Gas and an old Toyota

hombre66 - 10-26-2015 at 12:27 PM

I,ve always had pre ignition issues in Baja with all my 2.0 and 2.2 engines thru the years. Haven't driven my own rig SO the B in a long time. Current truck has a 3.0 v6 (NOT Toyotas greatest motor due to head gasket failure) Has the Magna blend improved at all since, say, 2004? And, is there anything better nowadays other than 104+ octane booster ? Also been told theres no retarding the spark with these motors past the 1980's. Thank you.

woody with a view - 10-26-2015 at 01:16 PM

my 03 4.7 v8 gets more mpg's and has no ping on Magna. pretty sure those days are over for everyone.

TecateRay - 10-26-2015 at 01:27 PM

No ethanol either. Way better than lousy, inefficient California summer blend.

AKgringo - 10-26-2015 at 01:53 PM

I concurr with the others. My Kia uses a Mazda design 2.0 liter engine, which tests at 185 psi compression. It does not ping, due to the electronics that I don't understand, but it loses performance and mileage when I use low octane fuel.

I have not had problems in Baja, even when Magna was not available. I do carry a few bottles of octane booster with me just in case, but don't use it every fill up. I really only need it when I know I will be pulling up grades with a load on board.

Edit; I made a point of bringing 5 gallons of Pemex back to northern CA to use in my chainsaws and other 2 cycle tools.

[Edited on 10-26-2015 by AKgringo]

Timing

captkw - 10-26-2015 at 02:10 PM

Yes you can adjust the timing,,get a "high tech" metel paper clip..find the little blk/gray dox that says DIAGNOSTIC,, jumper E1 to T1 to lock in the base timing..using a timing light retard 4 degrees,,lock down dist..turn off motor and disconnect your new "high tech" Toyota tool...simple !!

[Edited on 10-26-2015 by captkw]

bajatrailrider - 10-26-2015 at 02:56 PM

My 92 Toyota race truck Junk 3.0 motor Hot cams,overbore,Large FI,headers.Runs perfect on Magna green No ping. Your must have 1/4in carbon on top piston.You could try Fuel cleaner add to tank.

CIMG3863.JPG - 147kB

pinging

captkw - 10-26-2015 at 03:10 PM

If a yahoo, at some time in the past missed with the timing not knowing the proper way to do it, it would ping nicely...also the EGR valve needs to be checked for proper operation and that will also do it...not to mention a bad OX sensor that can make it run lean and get pinging.....I love when I hear guys say " I'm gonna tune it myself" newer rides take training,training,training !!

David K - 10-26-2015 at 05:14 PM

Magna has been perfect in all three of my Tacomas (3.4 and 4.0 V-6 engines)... as said before, BETTER than California 87 octane, as it isn't diluted with corn (ethanol). More mpgs (kpls) too!

If you have the need, Pemex also makes PREMIUM (91 or 92 ? octane)

hombre66 - 10-26-2015 at 05:30 PM

Well, gang this is all good news. Forgot about the animosity towards Cal summer blend. Even living in Oregon, I have been told ethanol laden stuff sours in about 28 days. Just purchased a (new to me)/used outboard,and for peace of mind, drained it off and ran thru some clear premium. Off to Loreto via Gonzaga and Asuncion on Wed!!

Ateo - 10-26-2015 at 05:39 PM

California Summer Blend ends November 1st.

Just a public service announcement.

:)

[Edited on 10-27-2015 by Ateo]

MMc - 10-26-2015 at 05:41 PM

Have fun on your trip, this is the best time of the year in Baja.

hombre66 - 10-26-2015 at 05:49 PM

Thanks MMc. Working my way down solo. Light tackle and Krocodile equipped. Gonna try the sierra fishing from the beach at Asuncion(stoke brewing from Sharis report) As well as launching my new Bris Kaboat wherever possible. Destination: Loreto where a long lost cousin that lives there has invited me (all fishing expenses paid) out for a wahoo session.

gnukid - 10-26-2015 at 05:53 PM

Pemex Roja your car will like it. Don't fill up a full tank in one unknown spot just in case it's not perfect, fill half tanks full with roja buena y corre!

woody with a view - 10-26-2015 at 06:00 PM

Hombre, send a u2u to Skipjack Joe here. he's got a boat as well but needs help launching. he'd be stoked to fish with you in BA.

edit: added an "r"

[Edited on 10-27-2015 by woody with a view]

AKgringo - 10-26-2015 at 06:13 PM

Glad to hear you are on the road! My plan was to pretty much cover the same areas, at about the same time, but complications where I spend part of my year in CA are going to delay my departure.

Be sure and post you progress a few times when you have internet access, maybe I can catch up to you if a few pieces fall into place for me.

hombre66 - 10-26-2015 at 06:16 PM

AK... was hoping to hook up. Know you had some tenant snafu in NorCal. Will be in Baja 11/1 thru 11/13

Gulliver - 10-26-2015 at 10:30 PM

Be glad you will be running on MX gas. I have had a LOT of problems with carbureted engines with alcohol blends. Both ethanol and methanol strongly attract moisture and if you let them stew away for six months there will be corrosion on float bowls and such.

I have a racing motorcycle (speedway bike) that runs on straight methanol and I dare not leave fuel in it for more than a day or two.

the big E

captkw - 10-27-2015 at 07:27 AM

two years ago Mercury Marine sent a TSB to the ca. dealers stating that the E gas can go bad in 15 days !! I have seen it go bad in around 30 days..I'll take Mexican gas any day of the week over cali......I see issues every day with E gas..any thing that sits more than a few weeks is at risk !!:fire:

hombre66 - 10-27-2015 at 09:04 AM

captkw...Small Merc outboards of late have gotten a bad rep with gas issues. Seems the tiny jets get fouled, and ,with your stating Mercs disclosure on the lifespan of e fuel, its no wonder they are telling folks its only good for 15 days. My outboard mechanic reccomended evacuating a max of 28 days. I looked at Mercs, but went with a Yamaha

woody with a view - 10-27-2015 at 09:43 AM

just run the fuel out every time you pull the boat out and you'll be fine. don't forget to add StaBil just because.

hombre66

captkw - 10-28-2015 at 08:41 AM

I don't understand your thinking at all..a small outboard of any make has small jets,ports,passages..I have found in the Real world that "Jap Crap" outboards don't hold up much !! mercury is the leader in outboards and always has been...at least on this planet..that you can not debate..if you do, that only shows that you know nothing about this issue..did you adjust your timing on your toy as I suggested ?? I fix these thing's 8 days a week and have a clue as to which I speak....

[Edited on 10-28-2015 by captkw]

bajatrailrider - 10-28-2015 at 09:07 AM

I have to keep over 20 dirt bikes,ATVs maintained in Baja.We run Mex premium.If they set over 1 week.We drain,carb,before starting.We did try running carb dry for storage,caused many problems.So when we need store bikes for months.We leave tank full,leave fuel on.Do not drain,carb for storage.Also we have found out,little two stroke oil in fuel.Makes fuel last three times longer.Last seven years,this has been working.

hombre66 - 10-28-2015 at 09:34 AM

captkw....
You are correct. I DONT know anything , except what a handfull of certified outboard mechanics tell me. I made my decision to get a Yamaha based on my research.. Portable Mercs are built by TOHATSU overseas.(Gee,Japcrap I guess) These are the ones I am talking about. (do your research) Only the big guys are made in Wisconson, and only Mercury. Whole lotta Japcrap out there,huh. You might check out all the user reviews. Especially all the folks that bought em from West Marine.

bajatrailrider

captkw - 10-28-2015 at 09:42 AM

Cool,, I suggest the two stroke oil all the time and get funny looks and replys...most folks don't get it..TO : hombre...myself have been in "worst marine" maybe twice this year..good place to buy boat shoes and a shirt.. the owner Randy Raypass has referred me to two of his neighbors to me for boat motor repair and service...I guess you havnt heard about Amazon sueing a 1000 folks for false reviews !! wagon wheel thinking..Hey, billy bob has one,, I'll get one too !! hope you have good luck with any/all your motor's...

bajatrailrider - 10-28-2015 at 09:53 AM

Quote: Originally posted by captkw  
Cool,, I suggest the two stroke oil all the time and get funny looks and replys...most folks don't get it..TO : hombre...myself have been in "worst marine" maybe twice this year..good place to buy boat shoes and a shirt.. the owner Randy Raypass has referred me to two of his neighbors to me for boat motor repair and service...I guess you havnt heard about Amazon sueing a 1000 folks for false reviews !! wagon wheel thinking..Hey, billy bob has one,, I'll get one too !! hope you have good luck with any/all your motor's...
Thank you Cap,You should see.Other riders Expressions when I tell them.There is two stroke oil in your 4 Stroke gas tank.;)

hombre66 - 10-28-2015 at 10:25 AM

Regardless whether you got a motor from WM or the redneck in the woods, It was still a unit that got questionable reviews...too many not to have credibility. As a layman, I did the best research I could.My last inquiry was from a Merc dealer in Brookings harbor Oregon, who reccomended I go with the Yamaha for the smallest portables.