View Full Version : Mexican Box


Distracted_Thinker
04-08-2004, 10:57 PM
I plan on getting a box in the next month or so. I have a 95 silverado now and everytime I go to Mexico i have to put gas over their. The problem is that after I do the engine has problems picking up. This is also after I put in some mixture that your obligated to put in if its a american car. (Someting about helping it clean it out?) Im wondering why this happens and will it also happen in the box?

BlueScionXB
04-08-2004, 11:01 PM
Never heard of that...but what do I know I have never had to get gas in Mexico...

Distracted_Thinker
04-08-2004, 11:12 PM
Its wierd as soon as the gas burns or i fill with texas gas againg it goes away.

scionspecialistvegas
04-08-2004, 11:32 PM
Thats because pemex nova is 72 octaneor thier about, the nova is around 83, not even close to to American stuff, also pemex is known to be watered down with kerosene,light oils and also to have parafin a type of wax. Engines built in mexico have a lower compression ratio than that of american cars. Fuel in other countries is not as as refined as US fuel. Bill Turner

Distracted_Thinker
04-08-2004, 11:40 PM
Is their anyway off preventing it? The only thing i could think of was when I take it fill up across the border and have my parents take extra gallons for the box in the truck? :oops:

DGTLLVR
04-09-2004, 03:16 AM
You might want to atleast try some of those awfull bottles of octane boost from the auto parts store. It really can't hurt considering where you're going to have to fill your tank.

scionspecialistvegas
04-09-2004, 03:51 AM
I grew up oversea's and the preformance loss is just something that you will have to deal with. We would add a couple of fuel filters, inline to strain out the crap. We use to be able to retard our timing 4 to 6 degrees so our engines wouldn't knock. Octane boost helps but it is not the cure, be careful if you do use Pemex. Did you ever notice that nasty odor from from mexican cars that run pemex? the don't use cats in mexico and their exhaust still stank. Bill

George
04-09-2004, 04:07 AM
Thats because pemex nova is 72 octaneor thier about, the nova is around 83, not even close to to American stuff, also pemex is known to be watered down with kerosene,light oils and also to have parafin a type of wax. Engines built in mexico have a lower compression ratio than that of american cars. Fuel in other countries is not as as refined as US fuel. Bill Turner

It's been a few years, but it used to be that you wanted the Pemex Extra, in the silver pump. Nova, in the blue pump was OK for my '72 Datsun and '71 VW. The gas in the red pump is tractor gas, you don't want it.

Buy gas in major towns, and buy it where the more prosperous cars are being filled. Gas in the boonies is rather problematical.

If you buy Diesel fuel, you want "Centrifugado".

All fuels, even US fuels, are a mixture of various distillates. You'll find a trace of kerosene and oils in the best gas, as that is part of the distillation process.

George

scionxb04
04-09-2004, 05:10 AM
get a 10-15gallon gas can.....refill with that....could even rig it up like a jeep....put the tank on the back....

scionspecialistvegas
04-09-2004, 06:35 AM
George, I agree with you about the Pemex extra,not the nova, and yes eventhe fuel in the US has traces, but the stuff in thrird world contries is just nasty. When we lived in Liberai, we had to chane inline filters the clear ones about once a month. The suburbans that embassy had had all kinds of carb and inductions problems. intakes valves pitted from the fuel.

Just take extra fuel from the US with you, Save yourself a Headache. Bill

CRxB
04-09-2004, 08:16 AM
get a 10-15gallon gas can.....refill with that....could even rig it up like a jeep....put the tank on the back....

yeah and is your xB's a camo it'll match it too.... :lol: :lol: :lol:

Hubert

George
04-09-2004, 08:37 PM
George, I agree with you about the Pemex extra,not the nova, and yes eventhe fuel in the US has traces, but the stuff in thrird world contries is just nasty. When we lived in Liberai, we had to chane inline filters the clear ones about once a month. The suburbans that embassy had had all kinds of carb and inductions problems. intakes valves pitted from the fuel.

Just take extra fuel from the US with you, Save yourself a Headache. Bill

There's some truth there, but I have a feeling that the fuel in Mexico is probably a lot better than the fuel in Liberia! I've never had to change filters after using Mexican gas. It pays to be cautious, but I don't think that I would be carrying 5-gallon cans around either just to avoid a fillup at the Pemex station.

In the Olde Days, I used to go across the line to fill up on cheap gas. Mexican gas was around 25 cents per gallon when US prices were (gasp!) 75 cents.

George

LVXB
04-14-2004, 09:58 PM
my mother and father-in-law live in mexico (rosarito beach)and dont buy gas down there. thats enough of a statement for me not to do the same.

04-14-2004, 10:36 PM
watch out for the mexican poice, they like new cars! the army is even worse! :D

LVXB
04-14-2004, 10:45 PM
oh heck yeah. half the reason i lowered the xb is so nobody would consider it a viable "mexico trip" car :wink: i will happily rock the third seat of my brother in laws suburban.

davidfneri
04-17-2004, 05:16 AM
I plan on getting a box in the next month or so. I have a 95 silverado now and everytime I go to Mexico i have to put gas over their. The problem is that after I do the engine has problems picking up. This is also after I put in some mixture that your obligated to put in if its a american car. (Someting about helping it clean it out?) Im wondering why this happens and will it also happen in the box?

You should not have a problem. I was down there a month ago with my xa and had no problems. I had to fill up there and I only had about 1/4 of american gas and had no problems whatsoever.. The reason that some cars don't perform the same is because the gas in mexico is really cheap, dirty and EXPENSIVE.. A gallon runs about 3 Dollars a gallon which is double for what I pay here in TEXAS, anyways since is a new car you should not have a problem, now if is an older car then you might have a problem because the engine is used to the gas we use here and not the one from mexico which is of a poor quality....