Fuel injectors are made to transfer and provide diesel to the car engine. When the little particles that are in the diesel combine with dust particles in the air, the fuel injector can get gunked up with debris. The more debris that the fuel injector takes on, the more difficult it is for the injector to work correctly.
If the engine becomes too gunked up with debris, it likely will only affect the fuel efficiency in the car. But if left unchecked and if not cleaned out for a long period of time, it can damage the engine itself.
Rather than risking a damaged engine and spending unnecessary money on filling up a tank more often, it is easy to use a diesel injector cleaner to get rid of the debris built up in the engine. Not all diesel cleaners are alike, though, and considering how expensive engines are, it is best to invest in the best rather than hope for the best. These are the best diesel injector cleaners on the market.
COMPARISON CHART
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
  |
1. Lucas LUC10013 10013 Fuel Treatment
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CHECK PRICE â–º |
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2. Stanadyne Performance Diesel Injector Cleaner
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CHECK PRICE â–º |
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3. Liqui Moly 2002 Super Diesel Additive
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CHECK PRICE â–º |
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4. Royal Purple 11755 MAX TANE DIESEL
|
CHECK PRICE â–º |
1. Lucas LUC10013 10013 Fuel Treatment
Specification
| Fit Type | Vehicle Specific |
| Product Dimensions | 7.23 L x 4.93 H x 5.75 W (inches) |
| Item Weight | 8 pounds |
Features
- One bottle treats 400 gallons of diesel/gasoline
- Works with all types of engines
- Made from hydrophobic chemicals and additives
This diesel injector cleaner works by breaking down the leftover residue and debris in the car’s injector system and improves the overall engine performance. While it does a great job of cleaning, it also does a great job of preventing further engine damage and neutralizing low sulfur fuel problems.
WHAT WE LIKE
This diesel injector cleaner works with its ingredients being slippery enough to guide the debris through and clean out the engine. The detergent from the fuel treatment works in a way that cleans the engine from the inside out meaning it gets thoroughly cleaned. When it is used on a regular basis, it keeps the engine working at the top of its game which also improves the overall fuel efficiency.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
If this diesel injector cleaner is spilled, it can leave behind stains considering the high concentration that is in one bottle. If it is spilled on sensitive paint or on wax-coated things, it can damage what’s beneath. Another issue is that due to the high concentration and potency levels in one bottle since it serves 400 gallons of gas/fuel, it can be difficult to get the concentration just right to put into your tank. Which, when playing with flammable liquid in a car, you definitely want to get the concentration levels right.
PROS
- Improves the overall fuel efficiency
- Works very well with diesel engines
- Limits debris buildup
- Neutralizes low sulfur fuel problems
CONS
- If spilled, it leaves stains
- It is difficult to control the potency
2. Stanadyne Performance Diesel Injector Cleaner
Specification
| Item Weight | 2.27 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 13 x 11 x 2 inches |
Features
- Four 8-ounce bottles
- Made from a hydrophobic chemical mixture
- 1 bottle = 25 gallons of fuel
The Stanadyne diesel injector cleaner is a great option to take care of little engine issues, such as a long turnover time, while also preventing further issues. It is a great diesel injector cleaner for people who drive a lot.
WHAT WE LIKE
The chemical mixture in the bottles acts as a repellent for moisture and lowers the risk of the metal parts getting rusty. This diesel injector cleaner is fantastic for anyone who drives a lot because it can be used every two months.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
While there are not many things wrong with this cleaner, a win for it is also a loss: it comes in four bottles. This means that you have to buy four instead of one and then store the remaining three bottles somewhere until it’s time to use them.
PROS
- Limits risk of metal parts getting rusty
- Repels moisture in the engine
- Can be used every two months
CONS
- Comes in four bottles which affects the upfront cost and later on the storage options
3. Liqui Moly 2002 Super Diesel Additive
Specification
| Item Weight | 10.9 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 5.8 x 3.2 x 3 inches |
Features
- Four 8-ounce bottles
- Made from a hydrophobic chemical mixture
- 1 bottle = 25 gallons of fuel
This German-made diesel cleaning additive is fantastic for improving not only fuel efficiency but the overall performance and upkeep of the engine. This is thanks to the combination of ingredients that help it clean and work at optimum efficiency.
WHAT WE LIKE
With regular use, this diesel injector cleaner and additive keep the car’s fuel system working well. As it prevents corrosion and increased engine lubrication, the pump and injector wear and tear are reduced, too.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
You can buy one… or a pack of 20. While you really only need one at a time, it does mean that if you wanted to stock up, you would have to either buy 20 which would take you years possibly to go through, or buy them each at an individual price since there is no package deal. It also does not last as long as some of the other diesel injector cleaners on the market.
PROS
- Regular use keeps car’s fuel system at the top of its game
- Prevents corrosion, and wear and tear on the pump and injector
CONS
- Only comes individually or in a pack of 20
- Does not last as long as some of the competitions’ products
4. Royal Purple 11755 MAX TANE DIESEL
Specification
| Item Weight | 1.25 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 8.6 x 6 x 9.7 inches |
Features
- Made from a proprietary blend of oils and additives
- Can be used at each fill-up, up to 100 gallons
Unlike many injector cleaners which are made to work with both gasoline and fuel, this Royal Purple diesel injector cleaner is made to work specifically with any and all diesel engines and fuel – including low-sulfur diesel and biodiesel.
WHAT WE LIKE
This cleaner is great in improving the fuel’s efficiency by up to 10% which, with diesel trucks, fuel can be expensive. It also improves the octane rating by eight. Even though it is made for year-round use, it can help with cold starts, too. While it evidently improves the fuel and octane efficiencies, it also improves the overall life of the engine.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
Unfortunately, it can take up to several applications of the Royal Purple cleaner until you see changes in the engine’s performance which means that if there is an issue, it might not be fixed right away and the engine could be further damaged in the waiting process. Another downside is that while it is designed for year-round use from summer to winter if there are wide temperature gaps in the day (60ºF in the day and below freezing at night) then the efficacy of the cleaner may be reduced.
PROS
- Improves overall life of the engine
- Year-round use
- Boosts fuel economy and octane rating
- Helps with cold starts
CONS
- Wide temperature gaps reduce efficiency
- Takes several applications to see cleaner’s effects
Important Information About Diesel Injector Cleaners
Diesel injector cleaners are really only a preventative measure and will not fix a big engine problem. It will help prevent an engine from damage in the long run where without it the engine would be damaged sooner in comparison. However, it will not fix severe engine damage or happenings such as leaks.
Unlike changing the oil every 5,000 miles (8,000 kilometers) or after a certain amount of months, there is no set rule for when to use diesel injector cleaner. In theory, every 1,500 miles (2,500 kilometers) or every couple of months is a good rule of thumb. However, if you live in the country or mountains where there is a lot of dust or hills and mountains for the car to climb, adding injector cleaner even more often is better.
Engines are like humans – you need to listen to know exactly what’s wrong. If you hear the engine sputtering, stalling, or taking a long time to turn over, try adding some injector cleaner to see if that fixes the problem.
Final Verdict
While each of these treatments is great, the best diesel injector cleaner is the Royal Purple 11755 MAX TANE DIESEL. In large, this is because it is meant specifically for diesel vehicles. Regardless of the engine size, whether it is biodiesel or ultra-low sulfur diesel, the Royal Purple will work perfectly for the vehicle.
It also is great for boosting the fuel efficiency (by 10%!) and the octane rating (by 8%). If you live in a cold place, this is a great diesel injector fuel because it helps the engine with cold starts, too.
