FUEL COST - BAJA CALIFORNIA PENINSULA ULTRA LOW SULFUR DIESEL FUEL

ULTRA-LOW SULFUR HIGHWAY DIESEL FUEL, Baja California

What others have to say, ULSD - Baja California Peninsula

Vagabundos Board - Sept. 18, 2007

" I received the following update from Kevin McGlensey who recently spoke with Pemex regarding the Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) situation in Mexico. It is not very good news. This affects any of the 2007 model diesels engines, all of which require ULSD. Using 2007 diesel engines on Pemex diesel could, and likely will, cause serious engine problems which has been discussed in several previous Express postings. Here is the latest from Kevin.

HOLA FELLOW VAGS...MORE INFO RE: DIESEL...LOW SULFER

I met with some Pemex officials this week and this is the current wisdom regarding diesel. The Pemex refineries are concentrating their efforts on desulfurizing gasoline and reconfiguring the refineries to produce more gasoline and less heavy fuel. The diesel desulfurization projects are not scheduled to be complete until 2010. That means that the Pemex diesel coming from their refineries is 500 ppm or higher until 2010.

The exception to this is the border region. Beginning earlier this year, Pemex has been buying Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD has 15 ppm or less sulfur) for their stations in all of the border towns. My contacts were not aware if these stations have any kind of labeling program (US stations must post the sulfur content at the pump) so it will be very hard to know what you are actually getting at those stations.

Regards,

Kevin McGlensey

President

ORYXE Energy International

BIEN SALUD, JAMES H"

Vagabundos Board - Sept. 20, 2007

" Valuable information for all,

With regard to Ford Superduty diesels, No 2007 vehicle is affected by ultra low sulfer diesel.
All Superduty diesels "MANFACTURED" after 1-1-2007 are 2008 model year vehicles.
No 2007 turbo diesel trucks were manufactured after 1-1-2007.
Only Superduty diesel trucks manufactured after 1-1-2007 (2008 trucks) with the 6.4 liter twin turbo diesel require ULSD.

This is not the case with Chevrolet or GMC. General Motors produced 2007 model year diesel trucks well into 2007. These 07" vehicles do require ULSD.

I believe the same goes for Dodge, many 07' diesels requiring ULSD

I hope this helps."

Vagabundos Board - Dec. 6, 2007

Tahoe, the information you posted was mostly correct and useful, however, your information source(s) were mistaken about ULSD vs LSD where soot is concerned. Soot is a byproduct of ignition regardless of the fuels' sulfur content. The traps on new ULSD engines are to collect soot during warmup periods when combustion is not complete because the engine is cold. Once warm there is very little soot from any electronically controlled, non-modified PU engine. Any diesel engine equipped with a soot trap will fill/clog it if the engine overfuels. Adding an aftermarket chip will result in overfueling and increased soot production. So will poorly maintained or high mileage engines.

As I stated before, any 07/08 light or medium (dodge) duty engine will run well on LSD fuel. The requirements Dodge, Chevy and Ford dealers place on stringent use of ULSD in late model trucks is imposed by EPA requirements and fines, not on driveability, or reliability issues.

If you have a late model vehicle that requires ULSD and want to drive in Mexico, go ahead. The only part affected is the Cat Converter which has shown to self heal once ULSD is re-introduced.

Just so the board understands this is not just me speaking, here is a reprint of an NRC Notice. At $1.99 per gallon, I'd much rather be driving ULSD mandated Dodge Ram in Mexico than the US. Been There, done that, and will be going again shortly. No problems.

Tom

"In response to an inquiry by a friend regaqrding the availability of ULSD, I received the following e-mail from Pemex. This information is valid as of August 1, 2007.

Mister Richard Barber,

We only have ULSD fuel in this areas: Rosarito, Mexicali, Nogales y Ensenada, this information was confirmed by our west sales representation.

Regards

Guillermo Villa Montaño
Gerente de Ventas al Mayoreo
Subdirección Comercial
Pemex Refinación"

"Baja Cactus in El Rosario has ultra low sulfur diesel. They and most other stations in Baja California get there fuel from the Rosarito, Ensenada or Mexicali depots. You see Pemex doesn't sell the gas to the end user, independent franchise stations do. So your letter to Pemex only receied an answer of where Pemex stocks ultra low sulfur diesel... not where it is sold.. which is probably everywhere in Baja by now, or soon.

This question was answered in detail elsewhere on the Internet recently. You can email Antonio Muñoz, the owner of El Rosario's Pemex station (he is bilingual) at info*at*bajacactus.com which any questions..."

Post your comments - forum.bajaquest.com

Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel is compatible with existing fleets
with comparable performance.

Owners of 2007 and later model year diesel-powered highway vehicles must refuel only with ULSD fuel.* Owners of 2006 and earlier model year diesel-powered highway engines and vehicles may use ULSD or Low Sulfur Diesel fuel during the transition period. Only ULSD fuel will be available for highway use starting on December 1, 2010.

Under typical operating conditions, there should be no noticeable impact on overall power using ULSD fuel. Fuel economy may be reduced slightly because the process that removes sulfur also can reduce the energy content of the fuel.

ULSD fuel is fully compatible with the existing fleet, including 2006 and earlier model year vehicles. In some instances, the introduction of ULSD fuel to older vehicles may affect fuel system components or loosen deposits in fuel tanks. As part of a good maintenance program, owners and operators of existing cars, trucks and buses are encouraged to monitor their diesel-powered vehicles closely for potential fuel system leaks or premature fuel filter plugging during the change-over to ULSD fuel.

New engine oils have been developed for high-performance diesel engines designed to meet 2007 on-highway exhaust emission standards for use in conjunction with Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel.

Like Low Sulfur Diesel fuel, ULSD fuel requires good lubricity and corrosion inhibitors to prevent unacceptable engine wear. As necessary, additives to increase lubricity and to inhibit corrosion are added to ULSD fuel prior to its retail sale. With these additives, ULSD fuel performs as well as Low Sulfur Diesel fuel.

Diesel-powered highway engines and vehicles for 2007 and later model years are designed to operate only with ULSD fuel. Improper fuel use will reduce the efficiency and durability of engines, permanently damage many advanced emissions control systems, reduce fuel economy, and possibly prevent the vehicles from running at all.* Manufacturer warranties are likely to be voided by improper fuel use. Additionally, burning Low Sulfur Diesel fuel (instead of ULSD fuel) in 2007 and later model year diesel cars, trucks and buses is illegal and punishable with civil penalties.*

For regulated parties in the fuel distribution chain (including retailers and fleet operators), only Ultra Low Sulfur Kerosene (No. 1 diesel with no more than 15 ppm sulfur) may be blended with ULSD without downgrading the fuel.
EPA Winterization Standards Letter 11-30-07
Individual vehicle owners may add Low Sulfur (up to 500 ppm sulfur) No. 1 Diesel to their vehicle’s fuel tank(s) as long as the vehicle does not require ULSD fuel. Regardless of sulfur levels, the blend ratios will remain the same. Like ULSD, Ultra Low Sulfur Kerosene may not be available in all areas

Most engine and vehicle manufacturers allow biodiesel blends in concentrations up to five percent provided the biodiesel meets accepted (ASTM) fuel quality standards. (Biodiesel blends are mixtures of petroleum-based diesel fuels and fuels produced from soybean oil, waste cooking grease, or other organic matter. These fuels may contain biodiesel in concentrations ranging from two percent to levels approaching 100 percent by volume.) To ensure proper quality, consumers should use only biodiesel-ULSD fuel blends that are properly mixed by a qualified biodiesel blender. Consumers should not create their own biodiesel blends by adding biodiesel to ULSD fuel in a vehicle’s fuel tank.

There should be no operational problem if consumers switch from a biodiesel-ULSD fuel blend to ULSD fuel without biodiesel.

*Exception – Some 2007 model year medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks may be equipped with 2006 engines and emission systems. These vehicles are not required to use ULSD fuel.