Even if public opinion is changing, diesel is still a great fuel choice. Its near-unbeatable fuel efficiency over long distances and its ability to save money at the pump make it a great choice, although, like any engine, it thrives best when looked after with regular maintenance and some TLC from fuel additives or diesel injector cleaners to keep it spritely.
If you run a modern diesel vehicle regularly and notice a decrease in power and fuel efficiency over time, it could be due to carbon build-up in the engine. This is quite a common occurrence as the combustion process is prone to leaving deposits over time, but this can be resolved using diesel engine cleaners.
There are both diesel and petrol engine cleaners available to treat your vehicle. One part that can be particularly prone to this build-up is the fuel injectors, which can directly affect your car’s performance and fuel efficiency, and also affect the level of pollution your car produces.
The best diesel injector cleaners at a glance:
Best diesel injector cleaner: Wynn’s Diesel Injector Cleaner – Buy from Amazon.
Editor’s choice: STP Diesel Injector Cleaner – Buy from Amazon.
Best for high mileage: STP High Mileage Diesel Injector Cleaner- Buy from Amazon.
Thankfully, there are additives that can help clear these injectors and improve the overall running of your car. Here are our picks of the best diesel injector cleaners to help you save money.
The best diesel injector cleaners
Best diesel injector cleaner
Pros
- Improve old engines
- Added protection
Cons
- Can take a few days to take effect
| Volume: | 325ml |
Editor's choice
Pros
- Effective on carbon deposits
- Good value
Cons
- Less effective on more refined engines
| Volume: | 200ml |
Best for continuous use
Pros
- Two shots in one bottle
- Can be used at every fuel fill-up
Cons
- Not the most powerful cleaning agent
| Volume: | 250ml |
Best diesel injector cleaner for cold starts
Pros
- Great in winter
- Help improve performance
Cons
- Less effective in warmer weather
| Volume: | 400ml |
Best for high mileage cars
Pros
- Great for high-mileage diesel cars
- High quality
Cons
- Perhaps a bit strong for newer engines
| Volume: | 250ml |
Diesel Injector Cleaner: FAQs
What do you need to know about diesel injector cleaners?
Carbon build-up in your engine can affect your car in many ways. The most extreme examples are black smoke and a strained, noisy ignition (not to mention those scary engine warning lights). Reduced performance and increased fuel usage are also common, as the deposits make your engine run rougher. If you notice any of these in your diesel car, your first port of call should be looking at an injector cleaner.
How often do you need to use diesel injector cleaner?
Carbon deposits from diesel injectors can start to form very early on in an engine’s service life. While they may start to appear between the first 1000 to 2000 miles, you may not need to clean them until you’ve passed 3000-4000 miles. Any further than this, and you may start seeing a drop in performance.
With that said, higher mileage engines will most likely need injector cleaners the most. A lot of diesel injector failures stem from dirty and clogged-up units caused by carbon deposits. Injector cleaners act as a great form of preventative maintenance to ensure some longevity to your engine.
Good maintenance generally leads to good performance and reliability. Regular servicing, including frequent oil changes and engine flushes (if and when necessary), can reduce the risk of engine problems.
Depending on what product you go for, it’s generally good practice to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
How we choose
All of these diesel injector cleaners have been hand-selected by our team of experts who have spent hours investigating and researching diesel injector cleaners to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we’d never recommend a product we don’t believe in.
Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about.
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for Parkers, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. A veteran car cleaner; if it details, waxes or washes he’ll be on hand to make sure it’s worth your money.
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