The Best Diesel Injector Cleaners: Boost Your Engine’s Performance

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Opening its doors in 1989, this California-based company focuses on manufacturing motor and aerospace supplies. It has a proud history of providing supplies to the military during World War I and continued on that trajectory to success. Lucas Industries remains a leading manufacturer of automotive supplies. Among its top selections is the Lucas LUC10013 Fuel Treatment.

Starting operations in the 1930s, the Sea Foam products have come a long way from a petrol salesman’s original vision. After years of work, the proprietor, Fred Fandrei, found the ideal solution. He first sold it in beer bottles to fishermen, earning the formula its namesake. Since then, Sea Foam has come a long way, though it retains its focus on manufacturing supplies to optimize engine performance. One of its popular formulas for diesel engines is the Sea Foam Motor Treatment.

It’s almost impossible not to recognize the Chevron name. With a hand in all types of energy from geothermal to oil and gas, its product lines span from lubricants and additives to base oils. For diesel engines, one of its top selections is the Chevron Techron Concentrate Plus. 

Easily the most common type of diesel injector cleaner, it relies on a series of chemicals to flush out the build-up and remove water from the fuel system. Ranging in effectiveness depending on the specific formula, these rely on polymers to get rid of debris. For diesel, removing carbon deposits is essential, though many formulas add extra additives. 

Quality cleaners will include a conditioning agent that can stabilize the fuel by regulating sulfur content. When used as a part of a regular maintenance schedule, these cleaners are a good choice. This type is also, by far, the most accessible and cost-effective. 

Ultrasonic cleaners are a much more nuanced approach to diesel injector cleaners. It is when soundwaves are used to loosen debris, taking around an hour to complete. It involves removing the injectors and putting them through an ultrasonic system. 

The results are excellent, though this method lacks some of the overall benefits of chemical treatment—it won’t lubricate the system and takes a lot more time and effort. Unless you are working in bulk to repair a large series of diesel injectors, it is likely not worth the extra cost and effort. 

You will only see this type of cleaning at a mechanic shop, mainly due to the substantial work that goes into the procedure. Sure, it works, but it is usually used as a last-ditch effort after you’ve tried chemical cleaners. It involves a high-pressure cleaner physically removing the debris. 

Depending on the flow, it can cause some issues with the filter baskets, but it effectively eliminates the gunk. Only turn to this type of option when other approaches have failed since it is typically quite costly and can be avoided by using a regular cleaner. 

Each diesel injector cleaner uses a slightly different formula to achieve results. The most common chemicals used are polyetheramine, polyisobutylene amine, and polyisobutylene, which are organic polymers that work to clear out the residue in your injectors. 

Formulas made for diesel engines focus on carbon buildup since it’s a more significant concern with this engine type. Some scrub the debris away on a molecular level, whereas others liquify the buildup. The ideal formula depends on whether it’s a preventative treatment or to fix an engine issue. 

Especially if you are getting enough fuel injector cleaner for multiple uses, the container counts a lot. First, clear material enables the chemical to interact with light, a notorious culprit for making chemicals lose their efficacy. This feature involves everything from the seal to the closure to how easily the fluid pours. 

Also look for bottles that have a handle and are easy to pour with a funnel. Since some cleaners can leave stains, bottles that prevent spills are important. 

Though the bulk and savings of a large container sound appealing at first, weigh it against the downsides. For one thing, you won’t use it all at once. You need to store it in the meantime, and once the seal is broken, it starts moving towards expiry more quickly. Smaller bottles are usually designed as a one-bottle-per-tank system. It makes measuring it out a lot easier and can avoid getting the wrong concentration when you pour it into the tank. 

Yes, injector cleaner works on diesel engines, provided it is compatible with that system. Make sure it specifies that you can use the formula on diesel. If you rely on biodiesel, make sure it tackles ethanol issues. Many cleaners work on all types of engines, but if you use the wrong one, it can cause problems.  

Aim to use a fuel injector every 1,500 miles, especially if your car is getting up there in mileage. If you have a newer vehicle, you can stretch it to 3,000. Try not to push it any further, as fuel injector build-up is inevitable. The earlier you address it, the better. 

While most fuel injector cleaners indicate that they won’t cause harm if you add too much, exercise caution. All the containers state the proper concentration. Look at how much diesel it’s meant to treat and stick to the instructions. This way, you don’t cause damage through the detergent build-up, undoing all the work the cleaner could have otherwise done. 

It’s a common misconception that the results are immediate. The cleaner gets rid of water within a few minutes of driving, but getting rid of the deposits takes more than that. After a week of regular driving, the cleaner will take its full effect. Take note of when you use it and the impact on fuel mileage at the beginning and after a week. If you notice a difference, the treatment was successful. 

A few of the signs include an engine that won’t start or gives you trouble before starting, a decreased MPG which points to lowered fuel economy, increased hydrocarbon emissions, and non-firing cylinders. Also, if you open the vehicle’s hood and notice some traces of diesel on the spark plugs, then you know that you have a clogged fuel injector.

Most cleaner fluids work by mixing with the diesel in the fuel tank, and then it’s transmitted by the fuel pump to the fuel rail, into the injectors, and finally into the combustion chambers. Throughout the entire process, the cleaner breaks down solid particles into soluble bits, and cleans any signs of corrosion in the tank. The remaining cleaner liquid is blown out through the vehicle’s exhaust system.

First off, you should clean your fuel injector before you start to encounter any issues with the engine or injectors. You should do a deep cleaning of the diesel injector at least once a year or after every 30,000 miles. However, it depends on the age of your vehicle, your driving conditions, and the type of fuel you use. Your vehicle owner’s manual may give you the recommended clean-up period for your fuel injector.

Fuel injector additives can be used to boost the fuel injector’s performance after you use the injector cleaner. The additives are poured into the fuel tank and increase the life expectancy of the fuel, prevent build-up or corrosion, and keep the injectors lubricated. You should, therefore, use a fuel cleaner to clear up the deposits, and follow it up with fuel additives to help keep the fuel system cleaner for longer.

After careful consideration, we’ve picked the Lucas LUC10013 Fuel Treatment as the winner of this roundup. Powerful, affordable, and long-lasting, it’s a solid choice. Looking to save a bit more? Consider the Gumout Multi-System Tune-Up as a one-shot treatment.