high sulphur diesel

[riverdude]

Hola amigos,

writing from down south in mexico, the family and have tripped down the baja, caught the ferry to mazatlan and are now kickn it in a beach town called melaque, no other delicas but a few BC plates.

Looking for some input into the diesel quality in mexico... the guide book i have mentioned the high sulphur content in the diesel here and suggested changing the oil and filters ever 3500 klicks. wadaya think??????


peace.

[TardisDeli]

You'll probably get replies from various delica folk who have lived in Mexico. I think Andy Sayulata (my spelling of his online name might be erroneous) is still down there right now, he is very knowledgeable on this topic.

But my reaction is Wow, Great because Delica was designed for high sulfur diesel. We have problems in Canada because we can only get low sulfur diesel, thus our seals and gaskets get dried out and we have to add very expensive fuel conditioners to make up.

Cheers, Christine.

[Golf Cart]

TYPICAL VALUES: PEMEX DIESEL MARINO ESPECIAL

Density @ 15°C 0.829
API Gravity @ 60°F 38.4
Kinematic Viscosity 2.9 cSt
Flash 75°C
Cloud -4°C
CCR 0.12
Water & Sediment trace
Sulphur 0.44% vol

The above values are typical, and usually do not vary much. It is a standard run with Pemex ( state run oil company) Don't be put off by the "Water & Sediment". Water is one of the components used to make diesel.


Canada is presently at 0.015% at most pumps


Christine - Since when is 2 stroke motor oil classified as a very expensive fuel conditioner?

[Modsqwad]

The fuel quality in Mexico is ok for our older engines which were designed to run higher sulfur content from the start. However watch
closely for water in fuel! Not all Mexican states have the same level of oversite of fuel quality. Jalisco has far less problems with contaminated fuel than Nayarit or Sinaloa because they have state mandated inspection and sampling. Keep an eye on your water
in fuel light after filling. If it comes on right away after a fillup stop and drain your filter and maybe your tank as well. I had this happen
to me in Zacatecas and it cost me a set of injectors on my old dodge cummins dump. As for service interval I wouldn't change it
just because of that. Also lots of good parts are avialable down there as a Delica is the same chassis as a Hyundai H100 delivery
truck (2001-6 model year) and there are a million of them down there. Time for a fresh engine?

Andy (wishes he was in "Sayulita") Wilson

[Green1]

high sulphur shouldn't cause you any trouble, however fuel quality is still a potential issue, probably not a bad idea to carry an extra fuel filter, and replace it if you start to have issues (just one bad tank of fuel can be enough to really clog up a fuel filter)
Other advice relating to diesel fuel, which applies everywhere, but more so in places with less stringent quality checks than around here, Try to fuel up at a place that sells a lot of diesel, somewhere truckers fill etc. this will generally ensure the diesel hasn't been sitting for long periods of time in the underground tanks.

[riverdude]

thanx for the input folks, i will keep an eye on the fuel filter....

Peace

[after oil]

ya riverdude! another powell river delica in mexico!!!!! nice to hear from ya, sorry i didnt get a chance to meet with you again before you left (although i think i was driving in to town when you began your trip. i saw some big frantic happy waves from the passenger seat in your van.)

post up some pitures!!

[DelicaFreaka]

and are now kickn it in a beach town called melaque.

Ya Ya, and you are sitting at Poncho's right now sending all of us snowbound Canucks a very warm hello. You bugger.

Enjoy......................................Kirk out.