Anyone with post 2007 manufactured DIESEL engineered vehicles aware of potential fuel QUALITY related challenges, especially in S. Baja? All US manufactured diesels since 2007/2008 were engineered for Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD)fuel compared to just Low Sulfur Diesel (LSD) fuel previously. Since 2008, the total diesel supply in the U.S. has been ULSD due to environmental mandate. I spoke with GM and they advised that to use anything other than ULSD would void their engine warrantee for diesels - due not only to environmental concerns but because of expected damage regular LSD would do to their post 2007 engines. The issue is the same for Ford, Chrysler, Mercedes, and any others per U.S. made diesel. It is thought that Mexico has not conformed to the ULSD requirement and even if it may have in the N. Mexico border states (to comply with their desire to expand their trucking industry into the U.S), probably not so further south. WHAT HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE BEEN WITH A POST 2007 US MADE DIESEL VEHICLE IN BAJA? In what areas of Mexico have you been buying diesel? I’m buying a new diesel powered RV and wondering how I am going to deal with it in the Baja and otherwise in Mexico.
I have a 2008 Dodge 6.7 Cummins Diesel with the DPF etc. I have been up and down the Baja since it was new, every year and twice in 08. We usually spend 3-4 mos there and I have had NO problems with it. There are lots of posts on this. I have several friends who have GM's and they have no problems either. The ONLY ones that do have issues are the Fords. Its not the engine that goes bad, its the DPF (diesel particulate filter). Ford must use some very restrictive DPF's on their systems. The dealerships and Mfct's all tow the company line and the EPA rulings for the USA. I called Cummins and they gave the same shpeel, but off the record...the Cummins will burn anything. The thing about the DPF's is that if you burn the crap (soot) out of them they will continue to work fine. In other words if you tow and put the truck under load conditions, it will typically run hotter and have more regens. If you use the truck to go grocery shopping and drive around town....they will get plugged. But then again...diesels weren't made to go grocery shopping. Check out other forums as well. Hasta Luego
Paul - That's TERRIFIC news and an OUTSTANDING explanation point by point of the mitigating issues surrounding the concern! I can't thank you enough for your very timely and super high quality response!! HUGELY impacts my approach to what we will be able to do, huh?!!! - - Best regards, Dan
ULSD is sold at stations in Baja Norte. Baja Sur stations may still only have LSD. Nobody using new diesels have a problem in Baja Sur, however... Nobody that I hve read and one lives in Mulege that I read regularly on another forum.
