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Diesel engines have come a long way since their first conception many years ago and have developed into extremely reliable engines. Diesel engines are designed to be on the roads more than that of their petrol engined counterparts so therefore it’s really important to keep the engines running at their best with regular maintenance.
Diesel injectors play an integral part at delivering the fuel to your engine enabling it to run. Injectors can often become dirty, particularly more so in diesel engines than petrol, which massively affects the performance of your diesel car and in some circumstances can cause the engine to not run completely.
What Is The Best Diesel Injector Cleaner?
Struggling for time and would like a quick overview of our best pick diesel injectors? No problem.
Our Top Pick Diesel Injector Cleaners
1. Hot Shot’s Secret Diesel Extreme
A versatile, 6-in-1 premium product. Hot Shot’s Secret Diesel Extreme delivers superb results, everytime. Diesel extreme cleans all parts of the fuel system as well as injectors and can massively improve engine performance.
Diesel extreme can also boost cetane ratings up to 7 points. This improves combustion, which in-turn results in better fuel economy and also reduces the need for as many DPF regeneration cycles.
The key benefits of Hot Shot’s Secret Diesel Extreme are
- Thoroughly cleans all parts of the fuelling system
- Improves combustion and fuel economy
- Restores horsepower
- Impressive 6-in-1 formulation
- Supplied in a 1L bottle
2. STP GST77400EN Car Care Ultra System Cleaner
STP GST77400EN Car Care Ultra System Cleaner boasts an impressive cleaning ability. STP have been developing fuel additives and cleaners for well over 60 years now which provides a real peace of mind that you’re buying from a brand that you can trust.
The key features of STP GST77400EN Car Care Ultra System Cleaner are
- Improves fuel economy
- Restores power and performance
- Reduces emisions
- Prevents key engine and fuelling components from wear and corrosion
- Supplied in 400ml bottle
3. Hydra Diesel Power Blast
Hydra Diesel Power Blast is a versatile cleaner that can be used in a range of diesel vehicles. The fuel additive is specially forumlated to clean injectors, remove carbon deposits, lubricate and stabilise diesel fuel. The key features of Hydra Diesel Power Blast are
- Impressive mixture ratios
- Suitable for all diesel engines
- Cleans and protects diesel injectors
- Improves fuel economy and stability
- Supplied in a variety of sizes inlcuding 1L, 2L, 500ML and 250ML
4. Forte Advanced Formula Diesel Treatment
Forte are a well established brand in the fuel system treatment industry and their Advanced Formula Diesel Treatment delivers great results. Advanced Formula Diesel Treatment is specially formulated to lubricate the whole fuel system, pre and post combustion. It improves overall engine power and efficiency and is compatible with all common rail diesel engines and also Pumpe Duse diesel engines.
The key features of Forte Advanced Formula Diesel Treatment are
- Reduces black smoke emissions
- Improves engine performance and response
- Lubricates and extends life on injectors and fuel pumps
- Maintains EGR Valves and turbo variable vanes
- Supplied in a 400ml bottle
5. WYNNS Diesel Clean 3 Extreme Cleaner
Wynns diesel clean 3 completely cleans the fuel system in one full tank. It actively cleans and maintains injectors to retain an ideal injector spray pattern.
The key features of Wynns diesel clean 3 extreme cleaner are
- Effectively lubricates and cleans protects injectors and pumps
- Keeps EGR valves and turbochargers clean
- Supplied in a 500ML bottle
What Are The Symptoms of Faulty / Dirty Injectors?
- Inconsistent engine power
If you have a faulty of dirty injector, you may start to notice inconsistent levels of engine power from your. Your car may struggle to overtake or suffer from lack of power when trying to accelerate hard. This is due to the car requesting a specific amount of fuel from the injectors and the injectors simpy can’t deliver the fuel at the needed rate.
- Rough Engine Idle
You may notice a rough, fluctuating idle speed on your car. It may become jerky or begin increasing it’s idle speed when sat at traffic lights etc.
- Increased Fuel Consumption
Your car may use unusual amounts of fuel if it’s suffering from injector problems. To compensate for an incorrect air to fuel mixture ratio, you car may be injecting more fuel into the mixture resulting in increased usage. You may notice that your trip computer shows a much lower MPG figure than usual.
What Are The Benefits of Using Diesel Injector Cleaners?
Diesel injector cleaners are designed to keep your diesel engine running at optimum performance levels. Diesel injectors play a key part in the delivery of fuel into your car engine so it’s imperative that they are clean and free of dirt etc to aid best performance.
The key benefits of using diesel injector cleaners are;
- Keeps Fuelling Components Clean
Diesel fuel is extremely oily in it’s construction. Because of this, your diesel engine can often suffer from carbon deposit build up, particularly so in the fuelling components area of your engine. If your injectors suffer from carbon build up, they won’t be able to deliver fuel to your engine correctly which will severely impact on performance and reliability.
It’s not just your injectors that are a concern, components such as your EGR valve (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) and your DPF Filter (Diesel Particulate Filter) can also suffer from carbon build up and often result in a hefty repair bill.
EGR valves feature a small port for the exhaust gasses to flow, this often becomes blocked with carbon build up which then results in the gasses not flowing through. A blocked EGR valve will likely result in an engine management warning light being displayed on the vehicle and severely reduced engine performance. Using a diesel injector/fuel system cleaner will help break down the reduce carbon deposits and prevent further build ups, keeping your engine at optimum performance.
- Improve Engine Performance
It’s a known fact that a clean, carbon build-up free engine performs significantly better. With a clean engine, you’ll notice better throttle response, more horsepower and reduced friction of metal components in the engine.
- Save Money
Using a diesel injector cleaner can save you hundreds or even thousands of pouunds in repair bills. Problems with fuelling components such as injectors, fuel pumps, EGR valves, DPF filters etc can be extremely expensive and complex to repair. Using a diesel injector cleaner as a preventative measure and as part of regular maintenance will ensure that your car is kept performing as it’s best and avoids expensive repair bills.
- Better for the environment
Because diesel cars suffer from carbon build up, this often results in black smoke bellowing out of the cars exhaust. This black smoke is harmful to the environment and it’s for this reason that modern diesels are fitted with so many emissions reducing devices such as EGR valves, DPF filters etc. A diesel injector cleaner will actively reduce the amount of carbon build up in the engine and fuelling system, this then reduces the amount smoke produced.
- Improve fuel consumption
A common sign of injector or a fuelling problem is increased fuel consumption. Increased fuel usage may be due to dirty injectors which is resulting in increased fuel being pumped in to compensate for it. Using a diesel injector cleaner will restore your vehicle’s MPG back to expected numbers.
How Do Diesel Injector Cleaners Work?
The majority of diesel injector cleaners work mixing with the fuel to break down harmful deposits within the engine and fuel system. The cleaner is mixed with the fuel, gets sent down the fuel rail and fired through the injectors. It’s during this process that the cleaning agents within the cleaner begin to break down the harmful built up deposits within the engine, injectors and fuelling systems.
It’s really important to always follow the manufacturers instructions when using a diesel injector cleaner. Each different variant will vary in terms of the amount of fuel to cleaner mixture and how much you should be using. Whilst using too much injector cleaner won’t cause any major harm, it’s always advisable to stick to the recommended dosage amount.
How Often Should You use a Diesel Injector Cleaner?
There are absolutely no disadvantages to using a diesel injector cleaner so therefore, we recommend using one as often as you can.
If you own a diesel car and do regular “round town” journeys, we strongly advise using a diesel injector cleaner regularly. We would also recommend the regular use of a DPF cleaner to avoid expensive repair bills. Check out our guide on the best DPF cleaners
Short journeys around town can cause problems in diesel cars. The engine and exhaust system don’t get hot enough to burn off the carbon and ash build up which results in decreased performance and eventually, an expensive repair bill.
To avoid problems, we would advise using an injector cleaner every 1000 – 1500 miles. This should keep your car performing at it’s best and prevent the build up of harmful carbon deposits.
Our Top Pick Diesel Injector Cleaners
1. Hot Shot’s Secret Diesel Extreme
A versatile, 6-in-1 premium product. Hot Shot’s Secret Diesel Extreme delivers superb results, everytime. Diesel extreme cleans all parts of the fuel system as well as injectors and can massively improve engine performance.
Diesel extreme can also boost cetane ratings up to 7 points. This improves combustion, which in-turn results in better fuel economy and also reduces the need for as many DPF regeneration cycles.
The key benefits of Hot Shot’s Secret Diesel Extreme are
- Thoroughly cleans all parts of the fuelling system
- Improves combustion and fuel economy
- Restores horsepower
- Impressive 6-in-1 formulation
- Supplied in a 1L bottle
2. STP GST77400EN Car Care Ultra System Cleaner
STP GST77400EN Car Care Ultra System Cleaner boasts an impressive cleaning ability. STP have been developing fuel additives and cleaners for well over 60 years now which provides a real peace of mind that you’re buying from a brand that you can trust.
The key features of STP GST77400EN Car Care Ultra System Cleaner are
- Improves fuel economy
- Restores power and performance
- Reduces emisions
- Prevents key engine and fuelling components from wear and corrosion
- Supplied in 400ml bottle
3. Hydra Diesel Power Blast
Hydra Diesel Power Blast is a versatile cleaner that can be used in a range of diesel vehicles. The fuel additive is specially forumlated to clean injectors, remove carbon deposits, lubricate and stabilise diesel fuel. The key features of Hydra Diesel Power Blast are
- Impressive mixture ratios
- Suitable for all diesel engines
- Cleans and protects diesel injectors
- Improves fuel economy and stability
- Supplied in a variety of sizes inlcuding 1L, 2L, 500ML and 250ML
4. Forte Advanced Formula Diesel Treatment
Forte are a well established brand in the fuel system treatment industry and their Advanced Formula Diesel Treatment delivers great results. Advanced Formula Diesel Treatment is specially formulated to lubricate the whole fuel system, pre and post combustion. It improves overall engine power and efficiency and is compatible with all common rail diesel engines and also Pumpe Duse diesel engines. The key features of Forte Advanced Formula Diesel Treatment are
- Reduces black smoke emissions
- Improves engine performance and response
- Lubricates and extends life on injectors and fuel pumps
- Maintains EGR Valves and turbo variable vanes
- Supplied in a 400ml bottle
5. WYNNS Diesel Clean 3 Extreme Cleaner
Wynns diesel clean 3 completely cleans the fuel system in one full tank. It actively cleans and maintains injectors to retain an ideal injector spray pattern.
The key features of Wynns diesel clean 3 extreme cleaner are;
- Effectively lubricates and cleans protects injectors and pumps
- Keeps EGR valves and turbochargers clean
- Supplied in a 500ML bottle
Summary
Diesel injector cleaners serve as a great preventative measure and should really be included in your regular vehicle maintenance checklist. Modern diesel vehicles are extremely complex with many different systems installed aimed at reducing emissions. These systems can often become blocked and clogged due to carbon deposit build up, a diesel injector cleaner helps prevent this and actively tackle it.
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