Diesel availability & Quality in Mongolia

[Rads]

HI All,

Has anyone recently traveled across Mongolia using a diesel fueled vehicle?

Does anybody know of the quality of diesel in Mongolia and whether I should be concerned about it?

Would removing my cat converter be better suite to Mongolian Diesel?

Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Rads.

[tacr2man]

These might be useful to you ,
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer...KloVQ&hl=en_US

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntr...ty-in-mongolia

[VikingOnTour]

Hi Rads,

I travelled extensively in Mongolia back in 2010 in a Defender tdi 300. I did not have any problems at all, and I would say that a 500/600 km range will be OK, but more is always better!
Love that country, and I’m going back again.


Cheers, Ib.

[eurasiaoverland]

No problem getting diesel, obviously you need to find a settlement so a bit of route planning is a good idea.

Diesel comes in from Russia and I believe the quality is fairly good, but my truck is pre-common rail and will run on pretty much anything.

Not sure why you would remove you cat. If your car has a DPF you might want to ask about this, though I have no experience.

[Maddog06]

Hi,

A slight thread hijack, but still on the topic of diesels and Mongolia.

We will be entering Mongolia during their winter. I have never owned a diesel in cold climates. Should I be concerned about Diesel Gelling, and how would I avoid it? The vehicle is a 2012 Toyota Hilux 3.0Ltr Diesel (australian vehicle)

Thanks!
M.

[m37charlie]

yes it comes from Russia but according MB's latest info:
MB 136.1 - Wordwide sulfur content of commercially available diesel fuels - rough classification - Mercedes-Benz Specifications for Operating Fluids
it is not desulfured, it has 1000-3000ppm sulfur. It ran fine in my Unimog (2005) this summer but it may damage a cat and DPF.
I would also take a case of diesel antigel/cold weather treatment for winter use. I use a high alkalinity MB 228.5 oil; Shell Rimula R6M may still be available in Australia.
Charlie

[Maddog06]

Thanks Charlie,

I will hunt around for this shell product. and diesel anti-gel additive.

M.

[m37charlie]

Be sure your vehicle runs properly with cat and DPF (If so equipped) deleted. Otherwise the DPF may clog with ash from the high ash oil and the high sulfur in Mongolian fuel will poddibly "poison" the catalyst, if so equipped and not deleted, and possibly set off limp mode electronically. A lower ash alternative for motor oil is one of the 228.51 (ACEA E6) oils,below the MB link I sent, which has just over half the ash of the Rimula R6M but Castrol Enduron Low SAPS (was available in Oz in 2011) has 3/4 the acid neutralizing capacity of the R6M. It would be compatible with the emission parts if not feasible to remove; still the fuel sulfur issue with catalysts, though.

Charlie

[Aliprovidor]

You may have gone to Mongolia by now but this information may help other travellers.
Mongolia is not a technologically backward country and not particularly poor either. There is every type of vehicle in the country and plenty of them are the latest models.
There is diesel everywhere and a range of 200km is all you need to be safe.


I run tours in Mongolia and use diesel vehicles exclusively. I have never had or even heard of a problem. Certain models of Nissans were not allowed to leave UlaanBatuur in the winter due to the fuel freezing, which was due to fuel line routeing and other issues. This was at temperatures of minus 50 or lower.
A warning!
When purchasing fuel in the western part of Mongolia, where the people are predominantly Kazakh; count the money out directly into the seller's hand and watch closely as it is counted again. Many people have been victims of sleight of hand when handing over a bundle of money that they have counted and then paid in a wad. The eastern areas are different and no-one will rip you off, but it is still a good idea to do the same there to avoid embarrassment. Do it everywhere that a large sum (many notes) is involved.
If you want specific information, PM me. I don't follow threads all the time.


Ali.