dhe9

hello,

i have heard that the diesel fuel in baja, mexico is good fuel and safe to run in our trucks.

anyone use mexican diesel fuel and what is your opinion?

thanks,
david

Scotty

I was recently on a run in Baja and we all had diesels and fueled up with diesel.
No problems. Trucks ran great.

Scotty

Shovelhead

Just watch out for the worm.

dhe9

hey shovelhead,

don't plan on drinking it although if i did i don't think i would see straight for two days :-)

david h in socal

winkle

dhe9

How much cheaper is it in Mexico, and how far across the border is the nearest station. I live in Escondido and with an extra tank it my be worth it.

Turbo Deeezle

I go down a couple times a month. The diesel fuel is good if not better than up here. It is also cheaper. For piece of mind up here or in Baja I use an additive. Never any problems....just carry a fuel filter in case.

Mexstan

I am not in Baja but my truck has run most of the time on the Mexican (Pemex) diesel. I have never had even a hint of a problem. No water in the fuel either. In the life of my truck I doubt if my truck has had more than 6 fill-ups in total with US diesel. Have been told the Mexican diesel has a higher sulpher content than the US fuel, but that is going to change.

dhe9

winkle,

hello, i live in vista and have been told that mexican diesel is better in quality than u.s. but was just not sure. i would think you could just drive over to TJ as there are premex stations all over. now get this, right now the price of diese is about the equilivant of $1.68 u.s. per gallon. of course the fuel is sold by the liter and it depends on the exchange rate of pesos to $.

would it be worth driving over there and then fighting the crowds to get back? you be the judge. from north san diego county TJ is about 60 miles and the wait coming back can be as much as an hour but if you have an additional tank and have the time then it would be worth it.

the advice i have gotten is to pay in pesos and make sure the attendent zeros out the pump. no, you can not pump your own fuel.

good luck and let the board know how you make out.

david (dhe9)
vista
p.s. i have been told do not drive in mexico with out mexican insurance that can be bought in san yisidro.

winkle

Thanks!!

Turbo Deeezle

It would not be sensable to go across just for fuel. I usually come back from trips with at least 2/3 of a tank but the border lines and hastles are not worth it just for fueling up trips. You do have to have insurance. You are not supposed to bring fuel down in cans or containers...... this is what we used to do but fuel is cheaper there now. Do make sure the attendant zeros out the pump and stay there and watch untill he finishes....there are sometimes scams and problems at the Pemex stations(the only fuel stations in Baja) And yes... pay in pesos since you will get filled cheaper and hastle free. Diesel is sometimes not available in remote towns so try to fill up as soon as you hit 1/2 tank asap. There are a few stretches when there will be no stations for over 200 miles. I have no problems and I have Mexico fuel in the tank often.My truck runs like a raped ape with fuel from both sides of the fence.

Mexstan

I have just finished changing my fuel filter. This particular fuel filter has never had any US diesel thru it, only Pemex diesel. I did not have a filter so this one went considerably longer than normal before getting changed. I was surprised to see no obvious dirt or crud of any sort on the outside of the filter. There was microscopic sediment at the bottom of the housing. No water drops either. So I have to conclude that the Pemex diesel is clean and safe.

tpuig

Didn't have a problem last time I was there earlier this year. I just changed my air and fuel filter Sunday, and I'm heading to Baja this Thursday. I'll be there for a couple weeks and will take a look at the filter when I get back to NorCal. From what I've been told, the diesel there is as good or better than in CA, it's the gas you have to watch.
But I always carry a couple extra filters...

Looked at the price recently and it was about 4.8 peso per liter, which is better than the $2.40+ here in the SF Bay area.
TP