Date:         Sat, 4 Mar 2000 14:48:27 EST
Reply-To:     EUROMOG@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Wessels <EUROMOG@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: baja gas, octane, and timing
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 3/4/00 1:01:57 PM EST, kurt.krusinski@ATTWS.COM writes:

<<

 I'm bring my syncro to Baja for the month of April and have heard that the
 only unleaded gas available is 91 octane.  If this is really the only octane
 available, it seems like I should tank up on 91 in  the states and get the
 timing & tune redone (I use 87/89 now).  Am I correct?  It seems like I
 would need to adjust the detonation for the van to run smoothly on 91.

 Thanks much.

 Kurt Krusinski >>

There is no need to adjust your timing if you going to use a higher octane
fuel. The Digiphant system needs to be set to spec for proper running. The
biggest thing you need to worry is to use unleaded gas if your van still has
the cat converter. I would top off in the states as you mentioned. Please
note that NOT ALL STATIONS have the unleaded. The bigger stations in the
cities usually do. NEVER pass up an unleaded pump if you are driving long
distance. I would also bring extra fuel filters.

I don't know about the current pricing but a few years ago the Pemex gas was
higher priced than the CA gas. One benefit that you will see is more power
and better fuel mileage than CA gas. In Mexico you get 100% gas whereas here
you get 90% gas and 10% oxygen. My '55 Unimog had low compression (7:1) and
absolutely LOVED Pemex gas in the mid grade leaded.

Be careful paying at the pump with US dollars. The attendants sometimes will
"tip" themselves a little extra by miscalculating the exchange rate. Pay in
Peso's whenever possible. That way you know for sure you are paying what is
says on the pump.

If you want to read about my trip with some Unimog buddies down to Baja a few
years ago go to http://www.unimogwherehaus.com and check out trip reports. Be
careful the Unimogs are very addicting.

John Wessels-'87Syncro
European Motorsport
Livermore, CA
http://www.euromog.com