Fuel in Mexico [Archive] - Sprinter-Forum

Mrdi

08-31-2010, 03:08 AM

I read the same comment on this forum.
One thing I did learn after several trips from So Cal to Cabo is fill up every time you get a chance. Also carry an extra five. With a 25+ gallon tank it is not such a necessity as it is with a 12 gallon tank but I would guess diesel may not be available at every PEMEX.
Another thing I learned was that 2 spare tires are a necessity ( 1 unmounted is OK ) if you intend to travel on the dirt roads. In Baja traveling on dirt is part of the program, and the rocks jump out of the sand and bite the sidewalls. Make sure you are capable of changing a tire and that would include a breaker bar to loosen the lug nuts, and perhaps a piece of 2 x 6 or thick piece of plywood for a jack base.
Driving at night is not a good idea, range animals are prevalent.
Cows do serious damage to Sprinters. Also be aware there are often no shoulders on the highway, so triangular reflectors like those required in Europe might be a good idea.

toad

10-22-2010, 02:06 AM

Anyone know for sure if Pemex diesel is OK for the Sprinter all across the country? I seem to recall reading that it is all now low sulpher.
Many gas station don't have diesel, but the quality of the fuel should be ok, DHL, FedEx and many smaller bus companies use Sprinters of all ages without any problems.

ches

10-22-2010, 02:22 AM

I also think you should be okay by now. 2006 and earlier Sprinters are definitely no problem as we have travelled quite a bit in Mexico with our '06. The newer ones "should" be okay also. Where ever you are only fill up at busy stations or the truckstops where you know they pump a lot of fuel. Forget the small towns in the middle of no where. Enjoy your trip and drive safely.

Bajabum

12-04-2010, 06:44 AM

I'd worry more about the water than the fuel. Vaya con Dios, amigo.

Diesel-Power

01-05-2011, 07:36 PM

I work for http://www.sprinter-rentals.com/ in San Diego and they rent sprinters that go to Mexico all the time. In fact there is more Sprinter Vans in Mexico then in the US west coast.
Never i have seen any issue with the fuel. Not on our 2004-2006 series and not on our new Mercedes 2010 models. But i suggest you take some DEF fluid with you or make sure to fill yours before you go on a longer trip down there. Hey. :professor: Why not take a fuel filter with you just in case.

LOTUS

01-27-2011, 04:25 PM

1hen2ducks

01-27-2011, 06:01 PM

Just back from Baja in my 2006 T1n.

Not all Pemex stations will offer diesel.

The diesel pumps are ALWAYS on a different island from the gas. (don't even ask how I know that) The handles are black, not green.

The diesel pumps there all say Diesel #2. I didn't notice anything saying "Low Sulphur".

There are lots of American T1n Sprinters roaming Baja. I did not see even one American Ncv3.
But;
http://i.imgur.com/suDBxl.jpg

My T1n runs great on Mexican diesel.

http://i.imgur.com/0xOtpl.jpg

Mike

jcwoos

02-20-2011, 03:27 PM

I understand vehicles will run well on Mexican diesel, I have run my '96 and '05 Mercedes E300D and E320D on that fuel for years. What I can't get a clear answer on is to what extent I can count on Mexican Diesel being Ultra Low Sulfur (not just Low Sulfur) so it does not wreck my $1,500 Diesel Particulate Filter.

Any recent updates on ULSD in Mexico?

John
09 Winnebago 24J

GaryJ

02-20-2011, 04:21 PM

Having driven an 06 Sprinter Motorhome all over Mexico for the last 4 winters, I've never seen any sign on the Pemex pumps to indicate that they are ULSD (ultra low sulfur diesel). This information is current as of April, 2010, as I'm not there this winter. I understand that Mexico imports ULSD from the USA for use in the border areas and Baja, and has plans to introduce it in Mexico City soon.

I've also seen many newer Sprinters there, but they were sold in Mexico and probably don't have the particulate filter. Mexico is very loose on its emission requirements.

Gary

toad

03-15-2011, 03:58 AM

As far as I can see, and drive, there is no problem with the diesel fuel for the Sprinters. I got my 2011 model sprinter late last year in Cancun.
FeDex, DHL and UPS drive Sprinters all over the country.
I would guess you should be ok with our Mexican fuel.

Dogwalker

04-10-2011, 11:58 PM

The Pemex diesel ran great in my van when we bought fuel in San Felipe last year. The only bad thing about that trip was that the fish weren't biting.

smooovsprinter

04-11-2011, 09:07 AM

regarding diesel fuel...check my recent story titled break down...the dealer in richmond calif says bad fuel...looks like biodeisel...has ruined my motor? I might sugguest sampling and pre filtering all fuel prior to feeding any sprinter van...replacing my engine seems like an expensive consequense to fueling at a san francisco,california 76 station. I don't know mierda about how ****ty mexico diesel fuel could be... it can't be any worse than the crap i 76 sold me-complete motor falier....but it has always been an issue for sailors cruzing baja. buenos nachos.

Darrin

07-11-2011, 01:36 AM

Has anyone fitted racor fuel filters on the 5 and or 6 cyl sprinters?

Darrin in Huntington Bch., Ca.

jdcaples

07-11-2011, 02:57 PM

I fitted the RACOR 110A filter in front of my factory fuel filter.

I use the R11s filter media (2 micron).

In selecting an additional fuel filter for a Sprinter you need to consider the following:

Fuel flow through the extra filter (don't choke the factory system) - it better be able to keep up with the expected demands and I'm willing to bet you can't tell me how many liters per hour your Sprinter can consume at full throttle on a 20% grade....

Fuel pressure from the tank (you can't fit a 20 psi filter on the OM647s or OM642 Sprinters - which may exceed 60 psi, if I recall correctly)

inside diameter of the factory filter lines (don't choke the factory system); go bigger, never smaller.

life span of the filter medium (don't set it and forget it).

-Jon

autostaretx

07-11-2011, 05:51 PM

I'm willing to bet you can't tell me how many liters per hour your Sprinter can consume at full throttle on a 20% grade....
My scangauge is happy to provide that info ... where can i find a 20% grade?
(my *guess* is that i hit a peak of about 48 liters per hour in "stressed" situations)
But that's for a T1N. I'm sure NCV3s are thirstier...

--dick

1hen2ducks

07-12-2011, 12:04 AM

OK, It seems to me that all of the chirpy "no problems" accounts of diesel in Mexico have come from T1n owners/drivers or from vehicles purchased in and driven in Mexico.
I know there are a lot of newer Sprinter owners who are fearful of driving in Mexico and in particular in Baja solely because of the fuel issue. (Not the bandits or the corruption, nor the water; we Sprinter drivers are made of sturdier stuff.)
SO
To level the field a bit;
Are there any successful/happy reports of newer, USA purchased, NCV3 ("New Concept Vehicle 3", 2007 and newer) Sprinters traveling to Cabo San Lucas and returning while using only local (Mexican) fuel ?? Any 2010s having done the same trip ? Camping ?
Where there any special precautions that you employed before or during your trip ?
Were there any unsuccessful trips of that nature ? (I'm sure you would have chimed in anyway)

Mike

autostaretx

07-12-2011, 12:11 AM

Are there any successful/happy reports of newer, USA purchased, NCV3

Diesel Power's posting http://sprinter-source.com/forum/showpost.php?p=119642&postcount=6 seems to cover a 2010 NCV3

...and i'm pretty sure DogWalker's is NCV3, too.

--dick

1hen2ducks

07-12-2011, 12:49 AM

Those rentals can go a long way on US, San Diego fuel.

4cows

autostaretx

07-12-2011, 01:17 AM

4cows
I was expecting "four limerick oysters"
per http://www.jerrylewiscomedy.com/announcer.htm
(i'm familiar with it being a song that was in the top 40 in the mid 1960's)
thusly: (Warning: this site tries to open annoying pop-ups) http://cubbobwhite.tripod.com/songs/onehen.htm
--dick

1hen2ducks

07-12-2011, 02:18 AM

I hope you find your Oysters Richard. Maybe if you close your eyes and......

On with the topic now;

I'd like to hear from some NCV3 owner/driver, Baja cruisers that can dispel the fuel myths that abound here.

jdcaples

07-12-2011, 03:07 PM

My scangauge is happy to provide that info ... where can i find a 20% grade?
(my *guess* is that i hit a peak of about 48 liters per hour in "stressed" situations)
But that's for a T1N. I'm sure NCV3s are thirstier...

--dick

The most I can consume is somewhere shy of 34 liters per hour and only for a very, very brief number of seconds (like maybe 3).

I forget where the 20% grade is now, but 20% is what one of the control modules reported to StarMOBILE during these tests, which I ran to determine the minimum additional fuel filter capacity. I ended up with a 57 liter per hour, 100 psi rated Racor 110A with the 2 micron 11s filter medium. I bought enough 2 micron filters for about 200,000 miles.

-Jon

rb3232

11-21-2011, 03:54 AM

I looked under a mexican NCV3 last April and it did not have a DPF.

jskakel

04-27-2012, 07:10 PM

Lots of info out there for sure, this too. Still no difinative answer.

http://bajagoodlife.com/2011/08/20/travel-is-ultra-low-sulphur-diesel-ulsd-available-on-baja/

Zubeone

01-15-2013, 11:03 AM

I'll be heading to Bahia de Concepción in Baja next month, and since I've run into the same brick wall of definite information, will bring first hand info on my experience with an NCV3 Sprinter down there.

GaryJ

01-15-2013, 05:00 PM

I looked at a Pemex diesel pump yesterday at a station about 1200 miles down the west coast of the mainland. There was nothing posted on it, or anywhere nearby to indicate ULSD (ultra low sulfur diesel). This was on the main west coast highway in the area.

Gary

israndy

01-15-2013, 05:21 PM

Lots of info out there for sure, this too. Still no difinative answer.

http://bajagoodlife.com/2011/08/20/travel-is-ultra-low-sulphur-diesel-ulsd-available-on-baja/

Maybe try:
http://bajagoodlife.com/travel-is-ultra-low-sulphur-diesel-ulsd-available-on-baja/

-Randy

dukepilot

01-15-2013, 06:30 PM

We (Custom Spooling) have several customers with NCV3 Sprinters who frequently visit Mexico. They installed our DPF Delete Tune as a precaution to prevent fouling their DPF on Pemex diesel fuel. I've received positive feedback from these customers with regard to the performance and reliability of our tunes. Installing our tune involves removing the filter element from the DPF canister. This is not reversible and is not legal for public road use in the USA. Our tuning kit for 2007-2009 NCV3 Sprinter is $1125, not including DPF canister modification. The kit includes a flash tool and a performance tune as well as an economy tune. Contact me, peter@customspooling.com for more info.

HoboN8

01-16-2013, 07:07 PM

In researching this ULSD in post 2006 I came across this article which seems to shed some light on the issue. I hope it helps.

http://www.writeslice.com/RVing-in-Mexico-Take-Your-New-Diesel-Truck-to-Mexico.html

rb3232

01-20-2013, 01:11 AM

Many gas station don't have diesel, but the quality of the fuel should be ok, DHL, FedEx and many smaller bus companies use Sprinters of all ages without any problems.

I looked under a late model Mexican registered NCV3 style VW Crafter in Puerto Vallarta about a year ago and I could not see a DPF. I think it's likely that's why late model Sprinters can drive around Mexico without any problems...

rb3232

01-20-2013, 01:31 AM

jcmadeintheshade@gmail.com

01-20-2013, 06:45 PM

Try again because while composing this reply I somehow got disconnected, Bummer. Anyway try the Baja Nomad site for all things Baja related. From what I have learned there ULSD is only available along the border and close in Baja Norte. Otherwise you can count on LSD. Before I bought my 06 almost three years ago the fleet manager at Balboa dodge in San Diego said the 07up would have problems down there and some have had to be towed back. That convinced me to buy the 06. Some have added an aux. tank to avoid buying any diesel there but what a shame to not take advantage of $3 diesel. Also only buy from the 24 hour larger truck stops to assure fresh diesel. Years ago I didn't and got a bad tank that had to be drained out and cleaned in my old ford van 4by4. The Nomad site has up to date info on road conditions, stations to buy from and not, restaurants to not miss and to miss, hotels to consider and not, places to see and not to miss. When you go go slow, relatively, enjoy the view and la pura vida, and try not to drive at night. Those black cows are dumber than a rock and will turn in whatever direction you are trying to go to avoid them. I once hit one slightly, luckily, but even at 5mph that piece of meat somehow knew which way to turn to so I would not miss him. Go figure. Plus why miss the beautiful scenery anywhere along the way. Happy and safe travels.

krisinak

03-04-2013, 06:32 PM

would it be possible to convert a usa market 2007 & later to mirror the emission set up on a made for mexico sprinter so one could burn LSD without problems? i spend most of the year in an area with ULSD but need a usa registered truck. any knowledge on this? thanks, kris

Zubeone

03-18-2013, 07:22 PM

Just got back from 3 weeks in Baja. I put around 5 tanks of Mexican diesel into my 2008 Sprinter without any noticeable impact on the MPG, performance, or the malfunction notices. I used a ULS diesel additive to keep the injectors clean, but forgot to use it a couple of times, no problem. I went past Mulegé and never found a Pemex station that was marked any different than any other, so I couldn't verify some reports that ULS diesel is available as far as Ensenada. None of the attendants had a clue of the diesel that they were selling. The only issue a couple of times was the unavailability of car-sized nozzles, not a major deal. The price went up while I was down there and it now is at $3.40/gal. Average MPG on a fully loaded Sprinter 2500 DIY conversion was 19.2.