Fuel injectors are fuels your car uses to transfer diesel to the engine. These injectors are prone to clogging due to all the dust and small particles in diesel. Your engine will struggle more if they are getting bigger. This can impact your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and, in the worst cases, could cause damage to your engine. Without a diesel injector cleaner, you could experience stalls and difficulty accelerating.
You can avoid taking this chance and use a diesel injector cleaner instead. The quality of the cleaner is an essential part of preventative maintenance. It can have a dramatic impact on its value. We’ve compiled a list of the top diesel injector cleaners on the market to save you time.
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Lucas Industries
This California-based company was founded in 1989 and specializes in manufacturing aerospace and motor parts. It is proud to have provided supplies for the military during World War I, and it has continued that success story. Lucas Industries is a major manufacturer of automotive supplies. The Lucas LUC10013 Fuel Treatment is one of its most popular products.
Sea Foam
Sea Foam Products was founded in 1930 by a petrol salesman. Since then, they have evolved a lot. After years of hard work, Fred Fandrei owned the company and found the perfect solution. It was first sold in beer bottles to fishermen. This formula earned its name. Sea Foam has made great strides in the past few years but still focuses on improving engine performance by manufacturing supplies. The Sea Foam Motor Treatment is one of its most popular formulas.
Best Diesel Injector Cleaner Pricing
Below $10: This is the range for a single chemical cleaner. If you have a larger engine, ensure the chemical cleaner has enough fuel to cover a full tank.
$10-30: Most diesel injector cleaners fall into this category. Most include enough solutions to clean a full tank. This price range allows you to purchase multiple small containers or one large bottle.
$30 or more: If you go to a mechanic to have repairs done using ultrasonic cleaning, rail-induced approaches, or other methods, expect to pay over $30. You can get the same results with a cleaner and pay less if you do it regularly.
Chemical Agents
This is the most popular type of diesel injector cleaner. It uses a variety of chemicals to remove fuel system water and flush out any buildup. These chemicals use polymers to remove debris, varying in effectiveness depending on the formula. Diesel must be free of carbon deposits, although many recipes include additional additives.
A conditioning agent is included in quality cleaners that stabilize the fuel and regulate its sulfur content. These cleaners can be used as part of a regular maintenance program. This is the most cost-effective and accessible type.
Ultrasonic Cleaners
Ultrasonic cleaners offer a more sophisticated approach to diesel injector cleaners. This is where sound waves are used to loosen particles. It takes around an hour. This involves taking out the injectors and running them through an ultrasonic machine.
Although the results are fantastic, this method has different benefits than chemical treatment. It won’t lubricate your system and requires more effort and time. You will likely need to do this if you have to work in large quantities to fix a lot of diesel injectors.
Rail-Induced Cleaners
This type of cleaning is only available at a mechanic shop. It is because it requires a lot of work. It works. However, it’s usually only used after trying chemical cleaners. This involves using a high-pressure cleaner to remove the debris physically.
It can cause problems with filter baskets depending on how much water is pumped, but it effectively removes the gunk. This option should only be used if other options have failed. It is usually quite expensive and can be avoided with regular cleaning.
Chemical Makeup
Each diesel injector cleaner uses a unique formula to achieve the best results. The most commonly used chemicals are polyether amine and polyisobutylene-amine. These organic polymers work to remove any residue from your injectors.
Because carbon buildup is a more significant concern for this type of engine, formulas designed for diesel engines address it, some recipes remove the buildup at a molecular level, while others liquidize it. The best procedure will depend on whether the goal is to prevent or fix an engine problem.
Container Design
The container is essential, mainly if you use the fuel injector cleaner multiple times. Transparent material allows the chemical to interact easily with light. This is a well-known culprit for chemicals losing their effectiveness. This includes everything from the seal to how easily the fluid pours to the closure.
Look for bottles with handles that are easy to pour using a funnel. Bottles resistant to spills are essential, as some cleaners can leave stains.
The amount of cleaner
Although the savings and bulk of large containers sound attractive at first glance, you should weigh the pros and cons. One, it will only be used in stages. It needs to be stored in the meantime. Once the seal has been broken, the product starts moving faster toward expiry. Smaller bottles can be used to make one bottle per tank. This makes it easier to measure the contents and prevents you from getting the wrong concentration in the tank.
Additional Considerations
Compatible: Ideally, the injector cleaner can be used on all types of engines. If you want versatility, many options can be used on gasoline or diesel. This is great if you own multiple vehicles or plan to purchase in bulk. You can use the cleaner to clean everything, from your boat to your car. Make sure to check the specifications to ensure it works with your engine.
Additives Formulas may contain additional chemical additives to address another issue. One example is cleaners that have a deicer added to them. An antigen chemical is another option that treats your fuel. Others include an antigen chemical that treats your energy.
Spills and stains: If you have ever waxed your car, but left behind a mess of color where you spilled cleaner, then you know the importance. These chemicals are meant to remove debris and buildup from a diesel engine. Many can stain, rust, and are flammable. You must ensure they are stored correctly and can be poured out easily. If in doubt, use the funnel.