Mexican Diesel Fuel/Sulfur Effects Update
Much to my distress I just learned here in the Southern Baja that the owner of a late model GM diesel pickup paid almost $3,000 to ship his truck back to the USA when it went into limp mode (5 mph) in...
Forum Discussion
DPF
The question of using Mexican diesel fuel in diesel powered vehicles built in 2007 or later comes up often on this forum. I am certainly no authority – we have a 2006 so this is not a concern of ours. Some say that many owners drive their newer trucks all over Mexico with no problem. Newer vehicles require ULSD which is 15ppm sulfur while older vehicles only require LSD which can contain UP TO 500ppm sulfur. Since I really know nothing about this I did some Googling and came up with some info and also more websites where more can be learned by anyone who is really interested. I have read somewhere that the vehicle ECM computer stores information about everything that happens with the engine and diagnostics equipment can read these computers – they will know if improper fuel is used and this could void the warranty. I sincerely wish all vehicles could be safely driven in Mexico and I encourage anyone with the proper equipment to visit Mexico – it is not my intent – now or ever – to discourage anyone from travel in Mexico. I have no other answers than what can be found below……Anyone can Google for lots more info……….
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_particulate_filter
Wall-flow diesel particulate filters usually remove 85% or more of the soot, and under certain conditions can attain soot removal efficiencies approaching 100%. Some filters are single-use, intended for disposal and replacement once full of accumulated ash. Others are designed to burn off the accumulated particulate either passively through the use of a catalyst or by active means such as a fuel burner which heats the filter to soot combustion temperatures. This is accomplished by engine programming to run (when the filter is full) in a manner that elevates exhaust temperature or produces high amounts of NOx to oxidize the accumulated ash,[3] or through other methods. This is known as "filter regeneration". Cleaning is also required as part of periodic maintenance, and it must be done carefully to avoid damaging the filter. Failure of fuel injectors or turbochargers resulting in contamination of the filter with raw diesel or engine oil can also necessitate cleaning.[4] The regeneration process occurs at road speeds higher than can generally be attained on city streets; vehicles driven exclusively at low speeds in urban traffic can require periodic trips at higher speeds to clean out the DPF.[5] If the driver ignores the warning light and waits too long to operate the vehicle above 40 miles per hour (64 km/h), the DPF may not regenerate properly, and continued operation past that point may spoil the DPF completely so it must be replaced.[6] Some newer diesel engines, namely those installed in combination vehicles, can also perform what is called a Parked Regeneration, where the engine increases RPM to around 1400 while parked, to increase the temperature of the exhaust.
http://towprofessional.com/2013/12/dont-get-clogged-up-diesel-particulate-filter . . . where they say in part . . .
This is where the trouble begins. A clogged DPF filter can result in diesel soot backing up into the engine, causing damage to the VGT actuator, turbo, fuel injectors and EGR solenoid. Also, the unburned fuel injected into the exhaust system, as part of the regen cycle, can go into the crankcase contaminating the engine oil.
And……….
These DPF problems are so common that Dodge/Cummins owners have filed a class action lawsuit which has yet to be settled.
Quick look on eBay . . . http://www.ebay.com/bhp/diesel-particulate-filter . . . I see Mercedes Sprinter DPF very special deal only $1,250 and a Cummins for only $1,864
http://www.minutemantrucks.com/dpf-cleaning . . . cost of cleaning
http://www.worktruckonline.com/channel/fuel-management/article/story/2008/01/what-fleet-managers-should-know-about-diesel-particulate-filters/page/2.aspx
http://www.truckinginfo.com/article/story/2009/05/diesel-particulate-filters.aspx
http://www.fleetserv.com/service/dpf-maintenance/understanding-diesel-particulate-filter-maintenance
http://emissionsretrofit.com/products/diesel-particulate-filters
More can be found online.
The question of using Mexican diesel fuel in diesel powered vehicles built in 2007 or later comes up often on this forum. I am certainly no authority – we have a 2006 so this is not a concern of ours. Some say that many owners drive their newer trucks all over Mexico with no problem. Newer vehicles require ULSD which is 15ppm sulfur while older vehicles only require LSD which can contain UP TO 500ppm sulfur. Since I really know nothing about this I did some Googling and came up with some info and also more websites where more can be learned by anyone who is really interested. I have read somewhere that the vehicle ECM computer stores information about everything that happens with the engine and diagnostics equipment can read these computers – they will know if improper fuel is used and this could void the warranty. I sincerely wish all vehicles could be safely driven in Mexico and I encourage anyone with the proper equipment to visit Mexico – it is not my intent – now or ever – to discourage anyone from travel in Mexico. I have no other answers than what can be found below……Anyone can Google for lots more info……….
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_particulate_filter
Wall-flow diesel particulate filters usually remove 85% or more of the soot, and under certain conditions can attain soot removal efficiencies approaching 100%. Some filters are single-use, intended for disposal and replacement once full of accumulated ash. Others are designed to burn off the accumulated particulate either passively through the use of a catalyst or by active means such as a fuel burner which heats the filter to soot combustion temperatures. This is accomplished by engine programming to run (when the filter is full) in a manner that elevates exhaust temperature or produces high amounts of NOx to oxidize the accumulated ash,[3] or through other methods. This is known as "filter regeneration". Cleaning is also required as part of periodic maintenance, and it must be done carefully to avoid damaging the filter. Failure of fuel injectors or turbochargers resulting in contamination of the filter with raw diesel or engine oil can also necessitate cleaning.[4] The regeneration process occurs at road speeds higher than can generally be attained on city streets; vehicles driven exclusively at low speeds in urban traffic can require periodic trips at higher speeds to clean out the DPF.[5] If the driver ignores the warning light and waits too long to operate the vehicle above 40 miles per hour (64 km/h), the DPF may not regenerate properly, and continued operation past that point may spoil the DPF completely so it must be replaced.[6] Some newer diesel engines, namely those installed in combination vehicles, can also perform what is called a Parked Regeneration, where the engine increases RPM to around 1400 while parked, to increase the temperature of the exhaust.
http://towprofessional.com/2013/12/dont-get-clogged-up-diesel-particulate-filter . . . where they say in part . . .
This is where the trouble begins. A clogged DPF filter can result in diesel soot backing up into the engine, causing damage to the VGT actuator, turbo, fuel injectors and EGR solenoid. Also, the unburned fuel injected into the exhaust system, as part of the regen cycle, can go into the crankcase contaminating the engine oil.
And……….
These DPF problems are so common that Dodge/Cummins owners have filed a class action lawsuit which has yet to be settled.
Quick look on eBay . . . http://www.ebay.com/bhp/diesel-particulate-filter . . . I see Mercedes Sprinter DPF very special deal only $1,250 and a Cummins for only $1,864
http://www.minutemantrucks.com/dpf-cleaning . . . cost of cleaning
http://www.worktruckonline.com/channel/fuel-management/article/story/2008/01/what-fleet-managers-should-know-about-diesel-particulate-filters/page/2.aspx
http://www.truckinginfo.com/article/story/2009/05/diesel-particulate-filters.aspx
http://www.fleetserv.com/service/dpf-maintenance/understanding-diesel-particulate-filter-maintenance
http://emissionsretrofit.com/products/diesel-particulate-filters
More can be found online.
