[Rick Winnipeg]

Had my Eco Diesel for 2 months very pleased, we travel to Mexico for the winter months,I have a add on tank in the back that gives me a combined 3,000/miles but I will still have to fill up in Mexico. No ULSD available in MX
can anyone advise if the Diesel Fuel- LSD in Mexico will cause problems. Can I use LSD rather than ULSD.
Thanks Rick Winnipeg

 

[Boocoodinkydow]

You're in for some big problems if you run lsd in an unmodified modern Diesel engine. If ulsd isn't available best leave your ram at home & use alternative transportation.

 

[10%More]

Interesting issue as all the single-cab Ecodiesels are made in Mexico and I assume, fueled there also.


Don't know it as an issue. Wonder what sulfur in diesel will do to an engine marketed all over the world.?


As an aside, be safe. Mexico is holding one of our former soldiers in prison there for what is a minor border issue. We seem to do nothing about it and the Mexican crime and legal system is quite hostile to Americans. Maybe they think different of Canadians but I would not remotely consider that country as a reasonable place to visit any more.

 

[Boocoodinkydow]

No first hand experience but when investigating using lsd in my 08 duramax I learned the biggest problem was the dpf couldn't handle the larger particulates & would become irreparably clogged. Additionally, the various sensors wouldn't tolerate the boat load of extra soot from this fuel. Was told my only option was a dpf delete & tuner set up. Having said that, I don't think there is actually any lsd any longer available in the us. Off road diesel is structurally identical to on road with the exception of red dye. Wonder how big of a difference there really is in south of the border diesel. Knowing there are Diesel engines exported to Mexico & I can't imagine manufacturers making über big changes in them. Interesting query.

 

[Accused]

haven't been able to get my hands on good acid for years...

Kidding

Current Mexican gasoline and diesel fuel cost

Ultra low-sulfur diesel (DUBA) has only 15 ppm of sulfur. It has 5% biodiesel so it has more lubricity. We all know that is a good thing. It was introduced to 50% of the Pemex stations in central Mexico (Mexico City, Morelos, Puebla, Mexico and others). It is being slowly introduced to a few stations in the rest of the country. Look for the sign, "bajo azufre" below the word "Diesel" on the gas station signage.

But I have to be honest with you - don't count on finding ultra low-sulfur diesel in Mexico. If you are afraid of putting plain low sulfur diesel in your tank, then don't drive to Mexico with your diesel vehicle.

Dear Mr. Mike Nelson:

Thank you for contacting the Chrysler Customer Assistance Center.

If the proper maintenance or fuel is not used and it has been determined by our Chrysler dealer or technical personnel that failure was caused by improper fuel usage, then YES the factory warranty would be voided.

Some Mexico travel blog contributors say that they have driven a couple of thousand miles on the "regular" diesel in their newer RVs requiring ultra low sulfur diesel with no ill consequences. However, the site fueleconomy.org says that LSD will make your engine hallucinate. At least they sternly say not to "just say NO" if you have a 2007 or later vehicle. And it COULD void your warranty.

Baja supposedly has low sulfur diesel (not everywhere, though). Talk to a competent diesel mechanic about the effects of using fuel with higher sulfur content on your engine before deciding to drive a newer (2007 and up) diesel vehicle to Mexico.

But widespread ULSD is coming...

Rise of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel |

 

[Boocoodinkydow]

Just read an article of an individual running an 08 ford diesel in cabo. After a year, the catalytic converter, dpf, egr & exhaust back pressure valve had to be replaced. Being a slow learner, he continued to use lsd & within a few months had to replace the back pressure valve a second time. After second round of repairs, he chose to replace the entire exhaust system with a simple straight pipe & install a tuner. Problem solved. Says he has no problem running 500ppm now. Talked to an old acquaintance in the industry & I'm told ulsd is available in border regions & at very limited stations in Mexico city but warned to not count on locating a reliable supply. Oversight of standards are questionable at best & a pump labeled ulsd may very well actually be 30ppm. Beware!!

 

[Accused]

Just read an article of an individual running an 08 ford diesel in cabo. After a year, the catalytic converter, dpf, egr & exhaust back pressure valve had to be replaced. Being a slow learner, he continued to use lsd & within a few months had to replace the back pressure valve a second time. After second round of repairs, he chose to replace the entire exhaust system with a simple straight pipe & install a tuner. Problem solved. Says he has no problem running 500ppm now. Talked to an old acquaintance in the industry & I'm told ulsd is available in border regions & at very limited stations in Mexico city but warned to not count on locating a reliable supply. Oversight of standards are questionable at best & a pump labeled ulsd may very well actually be 30ppm. Beware!!

Read that too, but then also read about a few folks who run LSD in their RV's with no issue.

I do think we're going to see Mexico shore up their quality requirements, but only because the manufacturers will put pressure on them. Mexican fuel quality is lengthening their development cycles...

This in turn has adversely affected the implementation of advanced technologies in the Mexican automotive industry, with suppliers being forced to adapt their engines and other parts in order to function with the remaining low quality fuel. Renato Villalpando, Director General of Paccar México describes this downgrade. “We launched a new engine in the US three years ago but we are now launching the Mexican version with different emission levels.” The downgrade is due to a technicality, as in order to apply better technology, the right fuel and sulfur content are needed for the parts to operate correctly. “We can bring more complex technologies to the country, but these will not provide the expected results and, in some cases, the components may be damaged by the Mexican fuel,” he adds.

From what I've read you can find ULSD along trucking routes, trucks entering the US are required to run ULSD, but as you said, BEWARE!!

 

[Rick Winnipeg]

Rick Winnipeg
Thanks much for all who replied, sent email to Pemex waiting for reply will post when I here. Keep the interest coming.
Rick

 

[Accused]

For sure Rick, keep us info'ed...