Best Diesel Fuel Injector Cleaner

How do you know what’s best for your vehicle?

Diesel vehicles are known for their robust performance and ability to surpass the owner’s expectations. However, diesel fuel presents some challenges that periodically may require an additive.

Diesel fuel contains hydrocarbons and additives. When these two elements enter a dirty injection system, the injectors will restrict. This will affect the flow rate of the injectors as well as how well the fuel atomizes and distributes

Symptoms Of A Dirty Injection System

The engine does not run smoothly. It will make noises, stalls, or have idling difficulty.
It will become difficult to start the vehicle.
The vehicle has trouble accelerating.
Gas mileage will decrease.
Smoke comes from the tailpipe.
The vehicle fails emission testing.

There are different types of diesel fuel.

Ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD)
Biodiesel
Biodiesel blends

Diesel fuel injection systems can develop deposits and sludge within the injectors. Debris and a buildup of carbon can also present problems. When this happens, your vehicle will have trouble accelerating, may not idle smoothly, and have difficulty with cold-starts. Stalling and decreased gas mileage often occur as well.

Injectors act as a mechanism that releases fuel through an atomizing mist into the engine. This creates what’s called combustion. Dirty injection systems prevent proper combustion resulting in the engine not being fed the appropriate fuel to function correctly. If the dirty injectors are not cleaned out, the entire system and engine can easily become damaged or fail.

Taking preventative measures by using a fuel injector cleaner can literally save your vehicle! Fuel injector cleaners vary in how they are designed to perform. Some will clean the entire injection system whereas some partially clean some components. Lubricants in the cleaners coat the injection system to remove deposits and to prevent wear and tear.

Professional mechanics that are familiar with diesel fuel injection issues will recommend using a fuel injector cleaner first. After doing so, if you notice your vehicle returns to its normal operating vigor, then you can be confident the system needed the cleaner. However, if you find that the vehicle has not improved, it may be time to have a professional look at it. A mechanic may need to disassemble the injectors and employ various methods to clean them out.

Things To Look For In Diesel Fuel Injector Cleaners

It should clean the entire system.
It should contain a lubricant.
It’s beneficial if it eliminates algae and bacteria in the fuel.
It should boost cetane. This will cause the engine to perform efficiently, increase your gas mileage, and help with cold-starts.
It should be able to stabilize stored fuel and eliminate water.
It should be designed to use with all diesel fuels.
Some cannot be used during the winter months so be sure to take note of that when using.

Best-Of-The Best: Diesel Fuel Injector Cleaners

We have researched the best diesel fuel injector cleaners. Our recommendations on the best based on customer reviews.

Features:

Cleans injectors that are dirty while preventing them from sticking in both HPCR (high-pressure common rail) and older systems.
Effectively removes deposits internally and externally in the injection system.
Reduces the need to downshift in boosting the power and performance of the engine.
Max HP Formula (use during spring, summer, and fall only.)
Cetane booster for a smoother engine, less sluggishness, and fast cold-start.
Advanced formula that cleans the injectors and high-pressure common rail systems
Stabilizes stored fuel.
Gives you up to 8% more miles per gallon fuel use.
Provides maximum lubrication with ‘Slickdiesel’ to protect the components of an injection system. Also protects the injectors from increased wear that can result from ULSD (ultra-low sulfur diesel) fuel.
Restores engine’s performance.
Can be used with all diesel fuels; ULSD, biodiesel, and biodiesel blend.

Pros:

Improves gas mileage.
Engine runs smoother.
Allows quicker cold-starts.
Cleans high-pressure common rail systems.
Older injection systems do well with this product.
Stabilizes stored fuel.
Includes lubrication for injection component protection.
Works great in RVs.
Works with ULSD, biodiesel and biodiesel blend.
You have a variety of sizes to choose from.

Cons:

Not designed to be used in temperatures below 30 degrees (F.)

(5-Star Rating)

Features:

Proven formula produced by a fuel system manufacturer.
Prevents and eliminates internal deposits in the injection system.
Effectively cleans common rail and high-pressure common rail injectors.
Concentrated form for a one-tank cleaning.
Restores engine performance and increases horsepower.
Improves gas mileage.
Lubrication to protect and prevent wear that is caused by low-quality fuels.
Cetane booster for a smoother-running engine and quick starts.
Works with ULSD, biodiesel and biodiesel blend.
Comes in various sizes; 8 oz, 16 oz, 24 oz.

Pros:

Confidence in knowing the product will perform since it is designed and produced by a fuel system manufacturer.
Your gas mileage will noticeably be better.
The engine will run much smoother and more efficient.
The high-pressure common rail injectors are thoroughly cleaned out.
Includes lubrication for injection component protection.
Works with ULSD, biodiesel and biodiesel blend.
You have a variety of sizes to choose from.

Cons:

Quick cold-starts are a bit random.

(5-Star Rating)

Features:

Removes deposits from the injection system, injectors, and combustion chambers.
Effectively cleans high-pressure common rail.
Cetane booster to improve overall engine performance improving cold-starts.
Contains a lubricant to protect the injection system from wear.
Improves the emission system.
Engine runs smoother.
Comes in various sizes; 11 oz, 32 oz.

Pros:

Professional grade cleaner.
You have the option to purchase a funnel with it that is designed for the can.
Reduces harmful emissions.
Gives the engine an overall boost making it perform better with less idling issues.
Has a lubricating protectant to prevent wear on the injection system.
Concentrated with maximum cleaning power that addresses the entire injection system.
You have two sizes to choose from.

Cons:

More expensive than other fuel injection cleaners.
Product is vague on use with various diesel fuels.

(5-Star Rating)

Features:

Improves gas mileage.
Designed to work best with ULSD.
Boosts cetane to optimize engine performance.
Lubricating to protect the overall injection system.
Reduces harmful emissions.
Stabilizes stored fuel.
Comes in 1-gallon size.

Pros:

Directly improves and works with USLD.
Reduces black exhaust.
Contains a lubricant that coats and protects the injection system from wear.
Maintains a stable source of fuel.
Gives the engine a boost for a more smooth-running engine and improved acceleration.
You will notice an improvement in your gas mileage.
Priced affordably giving you twice the amount as compared to other products.

Cons:

Although it will work with biodiesel and biodiesel blends, it is more targeted at enhancing and improving low sulfured diesel.
Does not come in other sizes making the large bottle awkward to handle.

(5-Star Rating)

Features:

Improves gas mileage.
Cleans the entire injection system.
Reduces deposits.
Reduces harmful emission.
Contains the highest amount of lubricant protectant on the market to protect against wear, rust, and corrosion.
Keeps your engine running at peak performance.
Designed for use with ULSD.
Comes in various sizes; 4 oz, 8 oz, 32 oz, 1 gallon, 5 gallons, 55 gallons.

Pros:

Best product on the market for use with ULSD.
Best professional-grade lubricant on the market.
You will notice an improvement in your gas mileage.
Reduces black exhaust.
Gives the engine an overall boost in performance.
You have various sizes to choose from.

Cons:

Not designed to work with other diesel fuels.
More expensive than other products.

(4 ½ Star Rating)

Features:

Improves gas mileage.
Reduces harmful emissions.
Works with diesel fuels, as well as gasoline.
Cleans and lubricates carburetor and injectors.
Reduces harmful effects of ULSD.
Does not contain any solvents.
Lubricating to protect the injection system.
Comes in various sizes; 5.25 oz, 1 quart, 1 gallon, 5 gallons, 55 gallons.

Pros:

This product can be used in gasoline and diesel fuels in various types of engines; on/off-road, marine, and locomotive.
It is solvent-free.
Reduces black exhaust.
Increases gas mileage.
There are various sizes to choose from.

Cons:

Does not perform as well as other products on the market.
Does not clean the entire injection system.

(4 ½ Star Rating)

Features:

Works well in either gasoline or diesel.
Lubricating to protect the injection system from wear.
Corrosion inhibitor to protect the system.
Includes biocide to eliminate algae and/or bacteria.
Effectively cleans deposits.
Stabilizes stored fuel.
Restores engine performance.
Boosts cetane.
Improves gas mileage.
Comes in two sizes; 8.45 oz, 16.9 oz.

Pros:

One of the few products that target the elimination of algae and bacteria.
Contains a lubricant that protects the injection system and also a corrosion inhibitor to prevent rust.
Boosts cetane to improve engine performance and gas mileage.

Cons:

Not designed for use during the winter season.
A little pricey.
Only comes in two sizes.

(4 ½ Star Rating)

Features:

Concentrated to clean all internal deposits and the entire injection system.
Contains professional-grade cetane booster.
Stabilizes stored fuel.
Lubricant added to protect the entire injection system.
Restores unresponsive throttle.
Increases gas mileage.
Reduces harmful emissions.
Improves cold-starting.
Works with all diesel fuels.
Comes in various sizes; 16 oz, 1 quart, 2 quarts, 1 gallon, 5 gallons, 55 gallons.

Pros:

This product not only cleans the injection system but also cleans the cylinders, tank, and fuel line.
Contains a lubricant that protects the system from wear.
Cuts down on black exhaust.
The engine performance is boosted by improving cold-starts.
If you have had throttle issues, this product is effective in restoration.
You have a variety of sizes to choose from.
Affordably priced.

Cons:

Does not offer microbial treatment.
Not designed for use during the winter season.

(4 ½ Star Rating)

Features:

Safe to use with all diesel and biodiesel blends. Can be used in farm/marine diesels and home heating diesel.
Removes deposits built up on injectors, and pumps.
Adds lubrication to the system to protect it against wear and corrosion. Also provides protection in the injectors, pumps and upper cylinders.
Eliminates water in the fuel.
Increases gas mileage.
Guaranteed to boost a diesel’s performance by at least 5%.
Eliminates microbial growth.
Reduces harmful emissions.
Comes in two sizes; 8 oz, 32 oz

Pros:

This product covers all bases in protecting and cleaning an injection system.
A guarantee supports that there is a minimum of 5% improvement in engine performance.
Affordably priced.
Can be used not only in diesel vehicles but also marine/farm equipment and home heating oil.

Cons:

Variety of sizes is limited.
Unclear whether or not this will work in the winter season.

The “Take-Away” From Our Recommendations

There are numerous injector cleaner products on the market that basically all perform in the same way. When purchasing a cleaner, base your selection on the criteria we discussed earlier on what to look for in a cleaner. Use that information as a guideline in selecting what product is best for you and your vehicle.

Some of the products are not designed to work in winter seasons; however, if you live in a warm climate where the temperatures rarely drop below 30 degrees (F), there are no worries. You can confidently use the cleaner without fear of it becoming gelatinous in your engine.

If after looking over our recommendations, you are still scratching your head not quite sure what to get, we have narrowed down our “best of the best” to the top-three.