modern diesel for overlanding in developing countries - post your solutions
- Thread starter haven
- Start date
If I have Euro IV, can I travel to USA and Canada, tour around and afterwards leave the country again ?
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nickw
Adventurer
Good question, I have no clue.
Yes you can. I have done it. If you ship to the US by container or RoRo you need a letter from EPA giving you a temporary exemption from the emissions rules. Your shipping agent should know the details. If you arrive by land from Canada or Mexico we were not asked for such a letter.
4x4tripping
Adventurer
I did cross africa with an Landcruiser V8 Diesel based on Euro4. I did read severall travelblogs where the travellers got stranded with euro5...
It is possible for mercedes to migrate the car from Euro 5/6 to euro3 for european spec - but you arent allowed to drive in europe anymore.
I did try to collect any informations about travelling with Diesel and Euro 4/5 at 2014 - with some links for a deep-dive.
Looking at the fuel quality there seems to be no reason to worry with an euro5 based car in USA/CA/Europe/Russia.. The "red" zones get smaller each year... This is the most recent map from 2018 - you can compare to the map from 2013 in the article linked above.
4x4tripping
calicamper
Expedition Leader
North America Mercedes is exceptionally strict about Sprinter modifications. Just ask any RV builder. Most RV shops will tell you they really dislike Mercedes especially the super limiting requirements they must follow with the sprinter chassis. Any of the Van life conversions that have drilled frame members to mount various components would get slapped by Mercedes NorthAmerica.
billiebob
Well-known member
After reading thru this thread I'd be looking for a 20 years old 5.9 Cummins Dodge or Ford Powerstroke 7.3. The legal ramifications of driving a modified modern diesel are far too costly to risk in a foriegn country.
OR I'd be looking for a modern gasoline powered vehicle.
OR I'd be looking for a modern gasoline powered vehicle.
Lovetheworld
Active member
Asia is not so easy with a modern diesel. Yes it can be done but there are risks. Russia is not a problem.
But in Iran the fuel is of low quality. In Uzbekistan there is little to no diesel sold, and you sometimes get it from a jerrycan or some big stationary tank, hoping that it is something good.
Having done a southern route and a northern route, I can say that it is definitely easier to find petrol than diesel, and that the diesel quality may be to low for Euro 5 and 6.
Whenever you get into an area where there is very little population and fuel is slightly harder to find, diesel is the first to have gone missing. Because the locals usually have some old petrol Hyundai, and the diesels are usually long range trucks.
Also, people liked diesel for what it was in the 80s and the 90s and beginning of the century. Simple reliable engines.
However, they have become so complicated that a petrol engine is more simple.
But in Iran the fuel is of low quality. In Uzbekistan there is little to no diesel sold, and you sometimes get it from a jerrycan or some big stationary tank, hoping that it is something good.
Having done a southern route and a northern route, I can say that it is definitely easier to find petrol than diesel, and that the diesel quality may be to low for Euro 5 and 6.
Whenever you get into an area where there is very little population and fuel is slightly harder to find, diesel is the first to have gone missing. Because the locals usually have some old petrol Hyundai, and the diesels are usually long range trucks.
Also, people liked diesel for what it was in the 80s and the 90s and beginning of the century. Simple reliable engines.
However, they have become so complicated that a petrol engine is more simple.
charlieaarons
Explorer
After 12.5 years and 20 countries I can say that modification is not a concern while traveling as far as legality. It is only a concern in the state, province or country of permanent registration.
Lovetheworld
Active member
Yeah that seems to work like that.
The thing is with a Euro 5 or Euro 6, which isn't modified, you have a risk of running into errors. So you will have a light on your dashboard, engine will go slow, and you need to reset it.
This is all exactly the opposite of what you wanted from a diesel engine. The simplicity and reliability have gone out of the window.
For Asia and Middle East a car that can run on 92 Octane (as in European 92 octane number) or better will get you everywhere.
Even if the range is only like 400km. And lets be honest, most standard diesel 4x4s won't do much better. (this is of course different for a normal car)
Seeing octane 80 is already very rare, but is sometimes still offered, next to 92 or 95.
The thing is with a Euro 5 or Euro 6, which isn't modified, you have a risk of running into errors. So you will have a light on your dashboard, engine will go slow, and you need to reset it.
This is all exactly the opposite of what you wanted from a diesel engine. The simplicity and reliability have gone out of the window.
For Asia and Middle East a car that can run on 92 Octane (as in European 92 octane number) or better will get you everywhere.
Even if the range is only like 400km. And lets be honest, most standard diesel 4x4s won't do much better. (this is of course different for a normal car)
Seeing octane 80 is already very rare, but is sometimes still offered, next to 92 or 95.
Lovetheworld
Active member
Where the diesel is so bad you need a lower spec, there are no emission zones.
Back home (for example in Europe) and wanting to use it locally, you may need to change it again to make it compliant with local emission rules.
Just make it compatible for lower grade fuel for your trip.
You cannot have it all at the same time. Or use a petrol engine which consumes more.
I guess something on petrol and CNG (not LPG) would be quite nice since it is available in quite some countries, and otherwise you drive on petrol.
Of course this is a bit more specific to which area you will visit.
Back home (for example in Europe) and wanting to use it locally, you may need to change it again to make it compliant with local emission rules.
Just make it compatible for lower grade fuel for your trip.
You cannot have it all at the same time. Or use a petrol engine which consumes more.
I guess something on petrol and CNG (not LPG) would be quite nice since it is available in quite some countries, and otherwise you drive on petrol.
Of course this is a bit more specific to which area you will visit.
casioqv
Dr. Diesel
Companies like Malone tuning (https://malonetuning.com/) will make a custom ECU for most modern diesels with the emissions equipment disabled. I think the thing to do is to buy a second used ECU, get it chipped for emissions removal, and install it along with bypass pipes for the DFP and catalytic converter just for the duration of the trip that goes into high sulfur diesel areas. You can then swap these parts back in once you return to ULSD regions. This is obviously a huge pain and expense, but a pretty straightforward process overall.
charlieaarons
Explorer
There’s arguments both ways. In 1993 we rented a FJ60 “set up for camping” with a roof tent in Pretoria. The engine was missing the entire time, either a carb or distributor problem. Obviously I had no tools or parts. A Toyota dealer in Swakopmund replaced some stuff, no joy. We went to some semi remote places in northern Namibia despite that but it had crappy fuel range.
One night we were the only campers at Third Bridge in the Okavango delta. Lions were roaring all night, I had to trudge to the outhouse x3 because I had the runs. The next am there was a very cute family of the cats in question ~1km from the campground, laying by the side of the road.
This fall I’m taking my U500 camper; RT shipping cost breaks even with Landcruiser rental at 80 days (2 x 6 week trips). I have at least 1 friend and 2 daughters who want to see Africa, so maybe 3 trips before returning the vehicle.
One night we were the only campers at Third Bridge in the Okavango delta. Lions were roaring all night, I had to trudge to the outhouse x3 because I had the runs. The next am there was a very cute family of the cats in question ~1km from the campground, laying by the side of the road.
This fall I’m taking my U500 camper; RT shipping cost breaks even with Landcruiser rental at 80 days (2 x 6 week trips). I have at least 1 friend and 2 daughters who want to see Africa, so maybe 3 trips before returning the vehicle.
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