What Are The Best Diesel Injector Cleaners? (2022 Reviews)
Some engines are fueled by gas, where some engines are fueled by diesel. The days of diesel engines being sluggish and unresponsive are long gone.
Highly economical, extremely torquey and now capable of top-notch performance, choosing a diesel is no longer a cause of embarrassment for car lovers.
But – The fuel systems of our engines can be delicate. One way in which diesel engines can suffer, though, is from the build-up of deposits in the engine. There’s a plethora of products on the market and it can be confusing to buyers.
Today, we’ll walk you through one solution to help you decide which among our favorite choices is the best diesel injector cleaner.
Page Contents
- 6 Best Diesel Injector Cleaners for 2022
- 1. Hot Shot’s Secret Diesel Extreme Clean
- 2. Royal Purple Max-Tane
- 3. Liqui Moly Super Diesel Additive
- 4. Stanadyne Performance Diesel Injector Cleaner
- 5. Power Service Diesel Kleen
- 6. Lucas Fuel Treatment
- FAQ
- Why Use Diesel Injector Cleaners?
- What Do These Fuel Additives Do?
- Do Diesel Fuel Injector Cleaners Actually Work?
- How Often Should You Use a Diesel Injector Cleaner?
- Are All Diesel Injector Cleaners The Same?
- Can a Good Fuel Additive Really Boost Performance?
- Conclusion
6 Best Diesel Injector Cleaners for 2022
1. Hot Shot’s Secret Diesel Extreme Clean
One of the key selling points of this enduringly popular diesel fuel injector cleaner is the way in which is gets shot of water from the fuel. Working to stabilize and to lubricate diesel engines – not just clean away deposits, this is an all-purpose cleaning solution well worth your further investigation.
Pros
- Product can increase engine power
- Removes water from fuel
- Cleans out harmful carbon build-up
- Improves economy of diesel engines
Cons
- Weaker on the preventive side of things
- Product is not as effective with newer cars
If you’ve got an older vehicle and your fuel system is starting to labor, investing in some Hot Shot’s Diesel Extreme can help with performance and economy while also getting shot of those unsavory accumulations in the engine. While cleaning foreign deposits, it also enhances your engine’s cetane rating.
As well as giving cetane a boost, this fuel additive also acts as a stabilizing agent for diesel engines. In short, this product will provide lasting health for your fuel system. Although there are stronger options when it comes to preventive action, this solution nevertheless helps to coat your fuel tank and serves to stave off corrosion.
With this cleaner, you will not only clean the injectors but also coat the components with a lubricant too. This product works in your vehicle to clean clogged up injectors, and prevents any dirt from accumulating again. It contains lots of detergents to keep the injectors as well as your other engine components clean. That’s also why the price is so high.
This fuel injector treatment has a standard, effective formula and can keep your vehicle in top condition. This treatment product uses a strong blend of oil and additives which cleans the injectors thoroughly. Overall, this is a product that can’t be beaten when it comes to ongoing treatment.
The added kicker with Diesel Extreme is the highly efficient way in which it removes water from the fuel making it perfect in countries where this is more of an issue.
2. Royal Purple Max-Tane
While Royal Purple is perhaps not the most widely-known brand, they deliver a no-nonsense and comprehensive fuel additive at a price you’ll love. Great for working over your whole engine rather than being limited to the fuel system, Max-Tane works a treat on diesel and bio-diesel.
Pros
- Highly effective for slashing fuel consumption
- Product cleans engine not just fuel system
- Great lubricator
- Protects fuel system parts
- Promotes fuel system longevity
Cons
- Product doesn’t work as well in hotter climates
- Less brand heritage
If you’re looking for the best diesel injector cleaner that works its way around your whole engine rather than simply the fuel system, Royal Purple Max-Tane is the obvious choice – it takes care of not just the injectors but also other internal engine parts. Simply put, your clogged injectors will feel and look brand new after using this product.
This additive is functional in a number of key areas. You’ll experience less smoke and smell coming from your vehicle as the deposits are cleaned away. Resultantly, fuel economy will get a welcome leg-up.
Optimizing performance is also another benefit of using this exceptional product. It is ideal for both 4-cycle engines and 2-cycle engines. From the valves and pistons through to the combustion chamber, everything gets nicely blitzed and lubricated so you could experience minor performance gains into the bargain.
For a cost-effective and wide-reaching diesel injector cleaner, Royal Purple punches above its weight and will add several years to the lifespan of your fuel system.
3. Liqui Moly Super Diesel Additive
Specifically designed to scythe away those menacing deposits left behind by diesel, Liqui Moly is a hard-hitting diesel injector cleaner at a pocket-friendly price. If you keep your car in tip-top shape, this is not the ideal product. If, on the other hand, your older car needs a helping hand, give this fuel additive a try.
Pros
- Slashes soot emissions
- Product lubricates components efficiently
- Boosts lifespan of fuel system
- Improves fuel economy
- Product can resolve engine issues in older cars
- Remove foreign deposits from diesel inject system
Cons
- Doesn’t work so well with heavy engines
- Product performs better on more neglected vehicles
It’s crucial to choose the right diesel fuel injector cleaner for your car. Simply put, a diesel engine requires proper maintenance. If you have an aging vehicle and you don’t maintain it as frequently as you should do, Liqui Moly is tailor-made. You might even end up fighting back against stubborn engine problems.
The key focus of this fuel injector cleaner and additive is removing accumulated sediment. It helps to boost car mileage and effectively rids injectors of dirt and clogged particles. It does this job and does it very well. As well as reducing emissions, you’ll get less annoying engine noise and possibly a small enhancement on the performance front.
Also, this cleaner gives your fuel system everything it needs. A single bottle will clean a whole tank of diesel fuel and you’ll see off all those nasty resins that can bog your engine down – which ultimately will make for better performance so that you can experience a good ride every time, and ensure that your diesel fuel pumps and injectors last longer.
For an affordable and useful method of combating the rigors of an older diesel engine, Liqui Moly is well worth a place on your shortlist of the best diesel injector cleaners. It cleans up any carbon deposits found in your fuel system.
4. Stanadyne Performance Diesel Injector Cleaner
You’ll get 4 bottles of diesel injector cleaner at a reasonable price point with Stanadyne Performance. It Provides every diesel engine with better mileage and improved power. Made by the company behind fuel injectors, you know you’re in safe hands here. The single-tank feature means you can clean everything with a single application rather than constantly needing to top up.
Pros
- A product you can rely on for expertise
- Uprated power, performance and economy
- Improves ignition in cold temperatures
- Cleans engine not just fuel system
- Less noise and less smoke
Cons
- Need to use product bi-monthly for best results
Next on our list of reviews is this product form Stanadyne. Stanadyne manufacture fuel injectors so, as you can imagine, their cleaning fluid is among the best on the market and one you can absolutely rely on. It cleans the smoke and exhaust system and aids in removing the noise in your diesel engine.
You’ll get a pack of 4 bottles and the recommendation is to use a single bottle every 2 or 3 months to promote the health of your diesel engine. If you don’t like the idea of a cleaning system where you need to continually administer little doses, this solution makes perfect sense for your fuel injector.
This additive lubricates the engine and consequently adds to its lifespan so that you can feel safer with every use. All you need is one cycle to clean up all the gunk. You’ll see a drop in nasty emissions and your engine should run more quietly. Diesel fuel consumption should drop at the same time that performance gets an upswing.
For a no-nonsense fuel additive that works a treat, look no further than Stanadyne.
5. Power Service Diesel Kleen
Fuel injectors require proper maintenance. An ever-present entry on any list of the best diesel fuel injector cleaners, Power Service’s Diesel Kleen is not the cheapest additive but buying cheap is seldom a wise bet when you’re dealing with your fuel injector. You need to use it once every three or four months to keep your diesel engine clean. For all types of fuel including biodiesel, this is another cleaner that works better with older vehicles.
Pros
- Product lubricates and protects your fuel injector
- Less noise and improved cold starts
- Improves gas mileage
- Cleans all-carbon molecules from the engine
- Product works even with high-pressure fuel systems
Cons
- Product is not ideal with truck engines
- Efficiency drops with newer vehicles
- A weak performer with heavier engines
Next on our list of reviews is perhaps the best product to ensure the longevity of fuel injectors, Diesel Kleen from Power Service is another diesel injector cleaner that delivers for all types of diesel but comes full into its own with older cars. It is hailed by many as one of the best product on the market.
The market is now flooded with a lot of cleaners – but not all of them are like this product. Fuel economy can be improved by a staggering 8% giving you a great return on investment. You’ll 6 bottles (80oz) so, although the bottom line is not cheap, this package represents great overall value.
You can protect your diesel fuel system and eke out more service from your engine at the same time as watching noise lessen and far less emissions spewing out from behind.
Even if you use biodiesel or have a high-pressure fuel system in place, Diesel Kleen steps in to perform strongly across the board.
6. Lucas Fuel Treatment
Although Lucas Fuel Treatment is known for its exceptional cleaning properties and comes in at a highly competitive price point, you won’t get stiffed in terms of results for hunting down a bargain. Capable of treating up to 400 gallons of fuel, you dip out slightly when it comes to overall performance but this additive still does a rock-solid job.
Pros
- Single bottle treats 400 gallons
- Product sees off low sulfur problems
- Improves throttle response
- Protects fuel system and components
- Cleans to nearly 100 percent efficiency in one treatment
Cons
- Product not quite so efficient as pricier alternatives
Last but by no means least in our look at the most effective diesel injector cleaners on the market is a real bargain from Lucas. This product cleans the fuel tank, lines, and injectors, as well as removes any water from the system. It works great to clean out the fuel system in just one use, which means it may be the best diesel injector cleaner available. You’ll get a 1-gallon bottle at a very reasonable price and this is good to deal with an extremely generous 400 gallons of fuel.
This additive treats the fuel system while also helping to prolong the lifespan of both your fuel pumps and injectors. Better performance is guaranteed. The solution also works its way into the combustion chamber, pistons and valves making it a complete answer to cleaning up your engine at a budget price. It provides lubrication to fuel pumps and injectors which prevents bacteria growth inside diesel tanks
Known for being one of the cheapest options on the market, you’ll get less noise, fewer stinky emissions, improved fuel economy and at the same time your engine components will be protected against future damage.
As with many of the best diesel injector cleaners for engines, this additive is a particular winner if your vehicle is advancing in years and is one option worth considering for your fuel injector cleaner needs. Even if you drive the older type without the more modern style of fuel injectors, you’ll get plenty of value from this extremely cost-effective attack against dirt and grime in your diesel engine.
FAQ
There’s always heated debate over whether fuel additives are a necessary evil or can do more harm than good.
We have to say that a great deal of negative opinion comes from owners of car shops who have a vested interest in you opting for a recalibration of the injection pump or replacement nozzles instead.
Here are a few things to take on board when you’re considering the issue of diesel injector cleaners…
Why Use Diesel Injector Cleaners?
Diesel is a particularly dirty fuel.
While it offers you many benefits, the carbon deposits and soot left behind can easily clog up your engine impairing performance and causing nasty emissions. Beyond this, an engine bogged down with these deposits will return worse fuel economy thereby negating one of the main reasons for buying a diesel vehicle.
So, by using a diesel injector cleaner as part of your maintenance routine, you can help to eliminate this problem without spending a fortune on mechanical bills.
What Do These Fuel Additives Do?
Diesel injector cleaners for engines are detergent additives that will enhance the quality of the fuel you use while also improving the combustion chamber.
As well as giving the injectors themselves a thorough cleaning, these additives also buff up the pistons, carburetor and other key components for a tune-up ride.
By cutting through the accumulated deposits, fuel injector cleaners can help to uprate the way your diesel car drives, cut down on smoke belching out the back while also optimizing fuel economy.
Do Diesel Fuel Injector Cleaners Actually Work?
In a word, yes.
Although opinion is polarized on whether or not this approach is the best method, few would claim that fuel injector cleaners don’t effectively solve the problems caused by diesel engines.
The difference is more easily noted in older diesel cars than with something new and up to scratch. This is perfectly understandable.
With the more effective cleaners, you can experience an improvement of 2-3% in your fuel economy which can add up to quite a difference over the course of the year.
Not only can these injector cleaners help to remove those niggling deposits, they also protect the fuel system and safeguard against future build-up.
As a final bonus, proper diesel injector cleaners can even extend the lifespan of the engine.
How Often Should You Use a Diesel Injector Cleaner?
These additives take effect while you are driving and the frequency of use depends on mileage rather than time.
Follow the instructions to see exactly how much of the cleaner you need to pop in. As a rule of thumb, you should add some more cleaner after 5000 miles.
Are All Diesel Injector Cleaners The Same?
They’re not, no.
While the majority of these additives are marketed in the same way, not all of them work as advertised so it certainly pays to do your due diligence.
If you take a chance on an additive then start to find problems starting your car, a worsening in fuel emission or any kind of corrosion, discontinue use.
Can a Good Fuel Additive Really Boost Performance?
It certainly can but good is the operative word.
If you choose your diesel injector cleaner wisely and make sure it’s the most effective additive for your particular car, you can definitely notice an upswing in performance.
Along with enhanced combustion and more ease when you’re starting your engine from cold, you could enjoy a small but noticeable boost on the power front.
Conclusion
We hope you’re equipped with a little more information about diesel injector cleaners for engines and you can now decide whether or not to give these additives a shot in your ride.
Think closely about the type of car you have and study the strengths and weaknesses of each of these diesel injector cleaners. With the minimum of effort, you can choose the best for your particular vehicle.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’ve got any questions at all. We’re more than happy to help in any way we can.
And come back soon!
