The Best Diesel Injector Cleaners: Boost Your Engine’s Performance
Clean and lubricate your vehicle’s fuel system with our top picks for the best diesel injector cleaners.
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Your car relies on fuel injectors to, well, inject fuel to the engine. But due to dust in the air, small particulates in the fuel joining in the journey, as well as any mild corrosion that might be present in the system itself, these crucual components can get gunked up with debris over time.
The gunkier they get, the more your engine struggles. If left unchecked, this impacts the fuel efficiency of your vehicle. But in the worst-case scenario, your engine could get damaged from overworking itself, especially if an injector becomes clogged. From stalls to difficulty accelerating, you risk a lot of performance issues without a diesel injector cleaner.
To help stave off any issues, you can simply throw in some diesel injector cleaner to address the buildup. Like, as easy as pouring some in the next time you fill up with fresh fuel. This is an easy-yet-essential part of preventative maintenance, and the quality of these cleaners dramatically impacts its effectiveness. So, to save you some legwork, we’ve tracked down the best diesel injector cleaners available on the market today.
Lucas Fuel Treatment
- Works powerfully on diesel engines
- Restores the proper sulfur content
- Helps limit buildup on pistons and valves
- Improves overall fuel economy
- If it spills, this conditioner can leave stains
- Can be tricky to control the concentration
Gumout Multi-System Tune-Up
- Includes antioxidants to fight corrosion
- Limits carbon deposits
- Prevents issues with ethanol corrosion
- Works on gas, ethanol, and diesel
- Only enough supply for a single use
- Container dents and loses its seal fairly easily
Sea Foam Motor Treatment
- Works with all motor oil types including conventional
- Improves cylinder performance
- Powerfully removes deposits by altering their viscosity
- Includes a de-icer gel that isn’t necessary in many situations
Summary List
Our Methodology
We narrowed down this list of top-choice diesel fuel injector cleaners by balancing out price, review, features, and ease-of-use. Whichever possessed the best mix got on the list, and then we rated them from there. You can't really go wrong with any of them, but some target more specific issues that your car might be experiencing. With that, let's discuss what's best for your spark-plug-less powerplant!
Best Diesel Injector Cleaners: Reviews & Recommendations
Pros
Solid value
Ensures a clean burn
Cleans inside the cylinder as well
Cons
Extra accessories needed to pour into tank
Extra care must be taken while pouring it in as it'll quickly destroy automotive paint
Care must be taken while measuring out the right amount to add
The Gumout Multi-System Tune-Up cleaner is an affordable product that works on your diesel injectors and the entire fuel system. It’s also suitable for gas, ethanol, and biodiesel engines. The product works with just one treatment on a 21-gallon diesel tank (one ounce per gallon of fuel in both 2- and 4-cycle engines). It cleans the fuel injectors, cylinder heads, the combustion chamber, piston tops, and intake valves.
The product’s composition is made up of antioxidants, corrosion inhibitors, and cleaning agents that prevent future carbon build-up in your engine. It also features polyetheramine (PEA) that effectively eliminates carbon deposits from the fuel system. The fluid stabilizes the fuel for two years, improves your vehicle's fuel economy, and fights ethanol and water corrosion.
The main problem with this product is that the mouth of the bottle may not fit on a fuel tank, which makes application difficult. You would have to use a funnel to avoid spilling the content on the surrounding area. Moreover, the manufacturer could improve on the design and packaging of the bottle as it often comes with external damages to the can.
Pros
Works powerfully on diesel engines
Helps limit buildup on pistons and valves Improves overall fuel economy
Restores the proper sulfur content
Cons
If it spills, this conditioner can leave stains
Can be tricky to control the concentration
Pros
Works with all motor oil types including conventional
Powerfully removes deposits by altering their viscosity
Improves cylinder performance
Cons
Includes de-icer gel that might be unnecessary for some applications
Hard to pour into gas tank
Pros
Cleans not only the injectors but the engine's valves as well
Doubles as a fuel stabilizer for vehicle storage
Good price
Cons
Dispenses slowly, taking a while to add to fuel
Cheap containers might crack and leak over time in storage
Pros
Helps remedy cold start issues and hesitation
Includes strong cleaning agents
Great pricee
Cons
Some users report the funnel not included in packaging
Higher in price than most competitors
Pros
Effective detergents that treat up to 25 gallons of diesel per bottle
Combats oxidization of metals in fueling system
Lubricates fuel system
Cons
Not all users might want to shell out for a package of four up front
High price
Pros
Value-minded price from a popular brand
Works especially well in combating carbon buildup
Easy-to-use bottle
Cons
Might not last in longterm storage
Low flashpoint—be sure to keep it away from hot exhaust
Our Verdict on the Best Diesel Injector Cleaners
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.
FAQs
Q: Does injector cleaner work on diesel engines?
A: 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.
Q: How often should you use diesel injector cleaner?
A: 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.
Q: Can you use too much diesel injector cleaner?
A: 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.
Q: What are some top brands that sell diesel injector cleaner?
A: Lucas: 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.
Sea Foam: 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.
Chevron: 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.
Q: What should I expect to pay for a diesel injector cleaner?
A: Under $10: If you’re getting a single treatment chemical cleaner, it will likely fall in this range. For those with larger engines, make sure that it comes with sufficient supply to treat a full tank of fuel.
$10 to $30: Most diesel injector cleaners are in this category, with the majority including enough solution to treat a full tank. You can get multiple smaller containers or a single large bottle in this price range.
$30 and up: If you’re going to a mechanic to approach repairs through an ultrasonic cleaning or a rail-induced approach, you will end up paying over $30. If you use a cleaner regularly, you can usually get the same results and pay less.
Q: How long does it take for an injector cleaner to work?
A: 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.
Q: What are some tips to using and selecting a diesel injector cleaner?
A: The more frequently you use a chemical treatment, the better the results will be. Aim for every 1,500 miles.
Everything from hilly terrain to polluted conditions can impact the frequency at which you require diesel injector cleaner.
Listen to your engine. If it’s stuttering, stalling, or showing issues with combustion, cleaning your injectors is the first thing to try.
You can track the fuel efficiency improvements by checking your odometer for distance traveled on a full tank before and after treatments.
Ultimately, fuel injector cleaner is a part of preventative maintenance. It saves your engine from damage, but it won’t fix leaks or cure severe engine damage.
Don’t mistake the instant results of the cleaner for long-term effects. It takes a week of use to unclog any debris, so wait until to get a full picture of how well it works.
Q: What are the signs of a clogged fuel injector?
A: 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.
Q: How does a diesel injector cleaner work?
A: 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.
Q: How often should I clean my diesel injector?
A: First off, you should clean your fuel injector before you start to encounter any issues with the engine or injectors. It's a good idea to 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.
Q: Should I use fuel additives to boost the cleaner?
A: 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.
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Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
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