Best Diesel Injector Cleaner: Reviews, Buying Guide and FAQs 2023

Fuel injectors dispense diesel to your car's engine. Without fuel, your engine won't work and your vehicle simply won't move. Unfortunately, every time you use your car, dust carried by air and small debris and dirt in diesel make your fuel injector gunky. The dirtier it gets, the more the fuel efficiency and smooth working of your car's engine decreases. When left unchecked, the dirt accumulation can cause significant damage to your engine. Hence, it is important to maintain the injector to prevent dirt buildup thereby avoiding performance issues.

While it is important to carry out maintenance work on your vehicle, the quality of maintenance you carry out also significantly impacts the result you get. With this in mind, we have compiled a list of the best diesel injector cleaners you can buy right now on the market. We also prepared a buying guide for fuel injectors to save you some stress in making a buying decision.

Editors' Picks: Top Diesel Injector Cleaner 2023

• #
  Preview
  Product
  Rating
• Bestseller No. 1
  
  Hot Shot's Secret - P040464Z Diesel Extreme Clean and Boost - 64 fl. oz.
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 2
  
  Stanadyne Performance Formula Diesel Fuel Additive - 16 Oz. Case of 12
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 3
  
  Power Service Diesel Kleen +Cetane Boost Fuel Additive (32 oz.)
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 4
  
  Royal Purple Max-Clean Fuel System Cleaner and Stabilizer 11722
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 5
  
  Lucas Oil LUC10020 Fuel Treatment - 5.25 Oz, Multi-Colored
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 6
  
  Liqui Moly 2002 Super Diesel Additive - 300 ml
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 7
  
  Chevron 266373272 Techron D Concentrate Diesel Fuel System Cleaner, 20 fl. oz., 1 Pack
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 8
  
  Sea Foam SF-16 Motor Treatment - 16 oz. , white
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 9
  
  Archoil AR6400-D Diesel Fuel System Cleaner - Cleans Injectors, Turbo, DPF & EGR
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• Bestseller No. 10
  
  Archoil Diesel Fuel System Kit - AR6500 Diesel Treatment (40.6 oz) + AR6400-D Diesel Fuel...
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 11
  
  Stanadyne Performance Formula Bundle with Injector Cleaner Diesel Fuel Additive, 8 Ounce,...
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 12
  
  Opti-Lube XPD Formula Diesel Fuel Additive: Quarts (1 Quart (Treats 128 Gallons))
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 13
  
  BG 245 Premium Diesel Fuel System Cleaner 11 OZ CAN with Funnel
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 14
  
  Lucas 10872 Oil Diesel Deep Clean, 16 Ounce
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 15
  
  Liqui Moly Pro-Line Diesel Cleaner, blue , red, 500ml (2032)
  Rating:

  
  
• Bestseller No. 16
  
  XADO Xtreme Cleaner Heavy-Duty Semi Truck Diesel Treatment - Injector Nozzle Cleaner,...
  Rating:

  
  

Top 7 Best Diesel Injector Cleaners Reviews 2023

1. Power Service Diesel Kleen + Cetane Boost - Link

A list of the best fuel Injector cleaners is never complete without a Power Service Kleen product. The Power Service Diesel Kleen is available in a different formula. In this review, we only consider the Kleen + Cetane Boost available in 6 bottles (80oz.).

Regarded as one of the best products on the market, it does offer some pretty impressive features. For instance, using this product improves your vehicle's fuel economy by almost 8 percent which is huge. Also, you get 6 bottles of the cleaner which offers long-term usage since you can protect your engine without having to periodically buy an injector cleaner.

Lastly, it works with any type of fuel system which makes it a strong overall injector cleaner to use.

Pros

• Supports high-pressure fuel systems
• Significantly improves the fuel economy of the engine
• Improves cold starts and reduces noise while cold starting the engine
• Lubricates fuel injector
• Removes all-carbon molecules accumulating in the engine

Cons

• Not ideal for use on heavy-duty engines and trucks
• Does not improve performance in new vehicle engines

2. Lucas LUC10013 10013 Fuel Treatment - Link

LUCAS industries are one of the oldest and leading manufacturers of automotive parts and supplies.

The Lucas LUC10013 10013 Fuel treatment is designed to work and improve the performance of all types of engines. It also helps prevent further damage to the engine when it is already struggling.

Available in gallon-sized bottles, each bottle is enough to treat about 400 gallons of diesel. The fuel cleaner is made using hydrophobic chemicals and additives. These interact with the particulate present in diesel. It also contains detergent in its formula which reacts with corroded parts and debris in the engine to clean it out. This formula regulates the sulfur content of the fuel in the engine while also allowing for a smooth flow of fuel in the engine.

NOTE: The chemicals used in this fuel injector cleaner are very strong. Hence, it might stain if it spills on the sensitive coats of other parts in the engine.

Pros

• Works as a fuel conditioner while also cleaning the injector
• Designed for use on gasoline and diesel engines
• Regulates the sulfur content in engines that uses low sulfur diesel, thereby neutralizing its harmful effects
• Recommended for use in engines that work on leaded fuel
• Helps vehicle pass smog tests
• Removes acceleration delays and spitting in old truck engines.

Cons

• When not carefully poured, chemicals used in the cleaner can also damage the paint or wax coating of other engine parts.

3. Stanadyne Performance Formula Diesel Injector Cleaner - Link

The Stanadyne Performance Formula Diesel Injector Cleaner is primarily designed for performance. It also helps lubricate the system components of your engine that relays fuel which in turn prevents wear.

The manufacturers recommend using it about 4 to 6 times (every two months) per year to prevent engine performance issues from arising. It contains hydrophobic chemicals which prevent moisture from accumulating in the engine when it is not working. This in turn limits the risk of certain parts of the engine rusting.

A bottle of the Stanadyne performance-formula diesel injector cleaner can enhance 25 gallons of diesel although the manufacturer claims it can work with 50 gallons.

Unlike most products, the chemicals present are not too strong to affect engine parts if it spills. It is expensive but you get a set of four bottles for long-term use.

Pros

• Specialized product to improve performance of the engine
• Improves fuel economy and engine power
• Reduces noise and smoke generated
• Fuel additive that lubricates the engine while cleaning the fuel system
• Improves cold starts
• Adds to engine lifespan
• Comes with instructions on how to get the best out of it
• Prevents clogged injector issues

Cons

• Expensive since you must use a bottle every 2 months to get the best results

4. Archoil AR6400-D Diesel Fuel System Cleaner - Link

The Archoil AR6400-D Diesel Fuel System cleaner cleans diesel injectors and turbos. It also comes with a performance-enhancing formula that improves the fuel usage efficiency of the vehicle which results in smoother idle runs. The Archoil AR6400-D also cleans dirty EGR and unclogs blocked DPFs.

It comes in 12 oz bottles and each bottle can work with 40 gallons of fuel. The manufacturers recommend using a bottle after traveling every 5,000 miles. The product is suitable for all types of diesel fuel systems and helps solve any stiction issues that might arise in your engine's injector.

This amazing clear also improves engine emissions and performance when in cold starting conditions. For struggling engines, you can use this product with the brand's full diesel treatment product for even better performance.

Pros

• Restores engine power and improves engine emissions
• Works for about 5000 miles
• Supports all types of diesel engines
• Comes with detailed instructions on how to use it - only 1 bottle can treat about 40 gallons of fuel.
• Affordable and significantly improves performance
• Improves injector boosts
• Remove turbo and actuator issues

Cons

• Significant increase in results when used with the brand's full diesel treatment product. This increases the overall cost of use

5. Hot Shot's Secret - Link

There are lots of reasons to love this concentrated fuel injector cleaner from Hot Shot's. It is capable of cleaning your vehicle's injector as well as the fuel tank and lines.

The concentrated formula comes with components that remove excess water from your vehicle's system. This prevents rust from taking over on certain metal parts of the engine. The formula also stabilizes fuel in the injector. It comes with a cetane booster which improves the overall performance of the engine.

The product also contains a lubricant that lubricates injectors and fuel pumps in the engine. this prevents the fuel lines from corrosion and rust.

Many hail this product as an all-purpose solution to any issues the fuel injector of your old engine might develop.

Pros

• Prevents buildup of harmful carbon molecules in the engine
• Significantly increase the power of old or struggling engines
• Improves fuel efficiency in engines
• Can be used to treat gallons of fuel
• Improve engine emissions
• Saves money that would be otherwise incurred in repairs expenses on the long term

Cons

• The cleaner does not significantly improve the performance of newer engines
• For optimal results, you need to measure the right amount for your engine
• Expensive

6. Royal Purple 11755 Max Tane Diesel Cleaner - Link

The Royal Purple 11755 Max Tane Diesel Cleaner is an effective product that to clean your clogged injector. It not only improves the efficiency of your car's fuel system but also improves the performance of other engine parts. Thereby giving your engine a brand new-like performance.

By optimizing the performance of your vehicle injector, automatically improves the fuel economy of the car. The benefit of this is that it reduces the smoke and smell generated by your vehicle.

The royal purple 11755 Max Tane Cleaner is suitable for use in 2-cycle and 4-cycle engines. It thoroughly lubricates the valves and pistons of the engine's combustion which reduces the possibility of performance issues being experienced. It is cost-effective and increases the lifespan of the fuel system in your engine.

Pros

• Exceptional performance for its price
• All-in-one solution that cleans other integral parts of your engine including the fuel injector system
• Lubricates the engine as a whole
• Prevents performance issues in the fuel injector
• Increases lifespan of the fuel injector
• Improves energy performance in cold seasons
• Greatly impacts the efficiency of engine one-time starts and idle runs in warm and cold temperature

Cons

• The bottle can be better

7. BG 245 Premium Diesel Fuel System Cleaner - Link

Available in 11-ounce bottles, it is large enough to treat about 15 gallons of diesel. To be honest, the BG brand is not one of the biggest names in the fuel system cleaner industry, but this product checks all the necessary boxes. Thus, making it an excellent choice to use for your vehicle's injector system.

Although it only works with 15 gallons of diesel, the manufacturers claim you only need to change it every 10,000 miles. This is recommended if you use synthetic oil in your car engine. Considering it also does not cost much, this means it provides incredible long-term value for money.

Like some products already reviewed above, the BG 245 premium diesel fuel system cleaner treats the entire fuel system of your car engine including the injectors. This ensures that the performance improvement is quickly noticed. It also improves fuel efficiency and engine performance. This in turn improves cold starts and idle engine running.

The product works even better when used on high-pressure systems with common-rail. That said, it will easily clean up any diesel engine you use it on. It can also clear deposits that often derail injectors in old engines which affects performance.

The biggest drawback with this product is that it does not treat a large amount of fuel because the bottle is quite small.

Pros

• Ideally suited for high-pressure injector systems
• Can improve performance of derailed injector systems
• Improves cold starts and engine idle running
• Capable of cleaning hard deposits mostly found in old engines
• Improves the emissions of the engine
• Lasts about 10,000 miles before you need to buy another bottle.

Cons

• Expensive but does provide incredible value for every dime you pay
• The bottle it comes in is small which means it can only treat a small amount of fuel before you have to buy another bottle

Diesel Injector Cleaner Buying Guide

When considering a diesel injector cleaner, there are some important features that you should consider before making a final buying decision. This goes beyond looking for the best brands in the industry. With that in mind, here are important features to consider:

Pricing

Diesel injector cleaners come in different price categories. Hence, you need to consider how much budget you can allow. Keep in mind that some fuel injector cleaners come in packs which might make them cost more than usual.

Type

The type of diesel injector cleaner that meets the requirements of your engine is important to consider.

- Chemical Agents Cleaners: Fuel injector cleaners based on chemical agents are the most common on the market. They use a combination of different chemicals to clean out any carbon molecule build-up in your engine injector system. They also lubricate the engine. The chemicals also remove water.

The effectiveness of this type of diesel injector cleaner mainly depends on the formula used in making it.

Premium diesel injectors in this category also come with conditioning agents that neutralize the harmful effects that arise from the use of fuel containing sulfur. Asides from being the most easily accessible, they are also the most cost-effective.

The only drawback with this type of cleaner is that sometimes the series of chemicals used can be too strong.

- Ultrasonic cleaners: They are not so common because they are not that efficient and take too long. Essentially, these cleaners work only by removing the fuel injector from your vehicle and then putting it in an ultrasonic system. This proceeds to remove debris with the use of soundwaves. They do not come with some of the benefits you get from a chemical-based fuel injector cleaner.

For instance, ultrasonic cleaners do not lubricate the fuel injector nor the engine it is removed room. It is also not easily accessible while being relatively expensive. It also takes a lot of time and effort.

- Rail-Induced Cleaners: These types of fuel injector cleaners are only seen at auto repair shops. The only reason for this is because it takes a lot of work to set up the cleaning procedure. They are only used when chemical agent cleaners have failed.

Rail-induced cleaning of injectors involves the use of high-pressure to physically remove debris.

This method also has some drawbacks, unlike chemical agent cleaners. The most common issue is that you might have to replace the filter baskets of the injector because they would be unusable. It is also quite costly.

Chemical Makeup and Additives

All diesel injector cleaner comes with unique formula but they all aim to achieve the same results. The most common chemicals used are organic polymers such as polyetherimide, Polyisobutylene, etc. These polymers interact with residue (carbon)building up in injectors and help flush them out. The only thing you need to consider here is whether you want to use the cleaner as a preventive treatment (monthly or bi-monthly maintenance) or as a fix for a struggling engine. This gives you an idea of the right product to select since the manufacturers always state what their formula can do.

Additives can also influence your decision since not all manufacturers incorporate extra additives in the chemical formula of their product. Additives help fix a separate issue in the engine and work with cleaners to further improve the engine performance. For instance, some additives act as fuel stabilizers, anti-gel additives improve fuel economy, etc.

Effect when spilled

You don't want to buy a cleaner that would damage and cause stains on the waxed coat of your car because you mistakenly spilled it. The only way to know if the chemicals used in the cleaner can corrode or stain is to check online user reviews. By doing this, you can decide if you can properly handle the cleaner to get the best out of it.

TIP: The use of funnels can greatly improve the user experience when handling a fuel injector cleaner since it helps prevent spills

Container Design and Size

The amount of cleaner you are getting is important to consider. This is because it can affect the long-term cost of using that specific cleaner. Most brands either sell their cleaner in packs or large gallon kegs. One thing to note with gallon-sized kegs is that they tend to expire more quickly once the seal is broken. Packs of smaller bottles on the other hand are usually designed as one bottle for each use.

Container design is not that important except it can be the difference between using every drop of the cleaner or spilling a ton of it. Most of the popular cleaners come in bottles/containers that are easy to handle and also prevent the cleaner from losing its efficacy. That said, you can't go wrong by inspecting the bottle to ensure it is suitable for multiple uses.

Compatibility

Every fuel injector cleaner on the market is designed to work on a specific type of engine. In this case, it is important that you only buy an injector cleaner that works on diesel engines. If you are also looking for versatility, some injector cleaners work in both gasoline and diesel engines.

So, before picking up a cleaner, check the specs to be sure it is compatible with the engine you plan to use it on.

Diesel Injector Cleaner FAQs

How Often Should You Use Diesel Injector Cleaner?

Each fuel injector cleaner comes with instructions from the manufacturers on how long it will last. With that in mind, most would last well for 1,500 miles in old vehicles since the engine is already past or close to its peak lifespan. For newer engines, you can push that number up to about 3,000 miles.

Dirt and debris build-up in diesel and fuel injectors as a whole is unavoidable. The most important thing is to check the label of the product to know how often you need to change it. The information provided will improve the performance of the engine if properly adhered to.

Can You Use Too Much Diesel Injector Cleaner?

Yes, but not in an overly harmful way. Most diesel injector cleaners even come with labels that indicate it does not cause any harm if you overuse them. However, the concentrations of the chemicals needed in a fuel injector cleaner vary from one brand to another.

The first step you need to take is to check how much diesel the cleaner can treat. It is also important to adhere to any other instructions provided by the manufacturer. By so doing, you do not undo the work of the injector cleaner by using too much.

How Long Does It Take for A Fuel Injector Cleaner to Work?

In truth, there are no immediate effects of using a fuel injector cleaner which is contrary to common misconceptions. However, the chemical composition of the cleaners varies which also influences how fast it impacts the engine. Essentially, moisture and excess water would be removed from your engine's injector system within a few minutes of adding the fuel injector cleaner.

It usually takes about a week of regularly driving the vehicle for the full power of the cleaner to take effect. How long the effects last depends on the chemical composition of the cleaner.

Buy on Walmart

Hot Shot's Secret - P040464Z Diesel Extreme Clean and Boost - 64 fl. oz. - Walmart Link

Stanadyne Performance Formula Diesel Fuel Additive - 16 Oz. Case of 12 - Walmart Link

Power Service Diesel Kleen +Cetane Boost Fuel Additive (32 oz.) - Walmart Link

Royal Purple 11722 Max Clean Fuel System Cleaner and Stabilizer - Walmart Link

Lucas Oil LUC10020 Fuel Treatment - 5.25 Oz, Multi-Colored - Walmart Link

Liqui Moly 2002 Super Diesel Additive - 300 ml - Walmart Link

Chevron 266373272 Techron D Concentrate Diesel Fuel System Cleaner, 20 fl. oz., 1 Pack - Walmart Link

Sea Foam SF-16 Motor Treatment - 16 oz. - Walmart Link

Archoil AR6400-D Diesel Fuel System Cleaner - Cleans Injectors, Turbo, DPF & EGR - Walmart Link

Archoil Diesel Fuel System Kit - AR6500 Diesel Treatment (40.6 oz) + AR6400-D Diesel Fuel - Walmart Link

Stanadyne Performance Formula Bundle with Injector Cleaner Diesel Fuel Additive, 8 Ounce, - Walmart Link

Opti-Lube XPD Formula Diesel Fuel Additive: Quarts (1 Quart (Treats 128 Gallons)) - Walmart Link

BG 245 Premium Diesel Fuel System Cleaner 11 OZ CAN - Walmart Link

Lucas 10872 Oil Diesel Deep Clean, 16 Ounce - Walmart Link

Liqui Moly Pro-Line Diesel Cleaner, blue, red, 500ml (2032) - Walmart Link

XADO Xtreme Cleaner Heavy-Duty Semi Truck Diesel Treatment - Injector Nozzle Cleaner, - Walmart Link

Buy on eBay

Hot Shot's Secret - P040464Z Diesel Extreme Clean and Boost - 64 fl. oz. - eBay Link

Stanadyne Performance Formula Diesel Fuel Additive - 16 Oz. Case of 12 - eBay Link

Power Service Diesel Kleen +Cetane Boost Fuel Additive (32 oz.) - eBay Link

Royal Purple 11722 Max Clean Fuel System Cleaner and Stabilizer - eBay Link

Lucas Oil LUC10020 Fuel Treatment - 5.25 Oz, Multi-Colored - eBay Link

Liqui Moly 2002 Super Diesel Additive - 300 ml - eBay Link

Chevron 266373272 Techron D Concentrate Diesel Fuel System Cleaner, 20 fl. oz., 1 Pack - eBay Link

Sea Foam SF-16 Motor Treatment - 16 oz. - eBay Link

Archoil AR6400-D Diesel Fuel System Cleaner - Cleans Injectors, Turbo, DPF & EGR - eBay Link

Archoil Diesel Fuel System Kit - AR6500 Diesel Treatment (40.6 oz) + AR6400-D Diesel Fuel - eBay Link

Stanadyne Performance Formula Bundle with Injector Cleaner Diesel Fuel Additive, 8 Ounce, - eBay Link

Opti-Lube XPD Formula Diesel Fuel Additive: Quarts (1 Quart (Treats 128 Gallons)) - eBay Link

BG 245 Premium Diesel Fuel System Cleaner 11 OZ CAN - eBay Link

Lucas 10872 Oil Diesel Deep Clean, 16 Ounce - eBay Link

Liqui Moly Pro-Line Diesel Cleaner, blue, red, 500ml (2032) - eBay Link

XADO Xtreme Cleaner Heavy-Duty Semi Truck Diesel Treatment - Injector Nozzle Cleaner, - eBay Link

Conclusion for Diesel Injector Cleaner Buyers

As you can see, there are certain important things to put into consideration before choosing a fuel injector cleaner. This is especially true since almost all the cleaners on the market have pretty similar features. Hence there is no way to pick the absolute best of the seven reviewed products.

With the buying guide, you can easily identify which is best suited for your vehicle engine.