Do diesel injector cleaners really work?

ScottFromNZ · Post by **ScottFromNZ** » 13 Mar 2004, 03:10

As the BX is my first diesel car is it worth using diesel injector cleaners in the fuel tank?
I started using a product called Morey's Diesel Smokestop which claims to clean fuel system and injectors, raise cetane by 3-5 points, lubricate pump and injectors and upper cylinder area etc.
After four tank fulls I can't say I have noticed any difference. It still smokes out the exhaust when I accelerate hard - but not every time. I have a new air filter so that is not blocked. Could it be that the product is cleaning out the engine as I drive so maybe increasing smoke a bit during the clean-up phase?
A friend who has a diesel says that if he drives around the city for a few days then goes out onto the highway he gets smoke on acceleration. Maybe soot builds up in the exhaust system then gets blown out when you accelerate hard?

monkeyman · Post by **monkeyman** » 13 Mar 2004, 03:27

Injector cleaner added to the fuel of a diesel thats failed its emission test seems to work. I don't know about adding it more regularly. I sometimes think its a 'Placebo' effect on the drivers. I would rather spend my money on getting the injectors overhauled than adding the cleaner on a regular basis. I'm sure there are people on this board that swear by injector cleaner and it proberly works but what about pump timing and general engine wear?

Richard Gallagher · Post by **Richard Gallagher** » 13 Mar 2004, 03:34

I have experience of using 'Dieselclean' a product made by a UK company called 'Millers'. I've used this in several different diesels and I can verify that there is a difference when put it into the tank.
Comsumption improves by a couple of mpg and startup is definatetly better. Rather than the engine turning over 2/3 times before firing, with dieselclean it fires up right away. Having said that I can't say I've noticed any improvement in performance.
I've recommended this to several colleagues at work and every one of them has noticed an improvement in overall running.
As far as emmisions are concerned, then smoke build up in the exhaust is always a factor when driving gently.
One of the problems when using these products is that there is a tendency on the drivers part to 'seek out' any extra performance so that consumption gains are lost due to a more spirited driving style.

arry_b · Post by **arry_b** » 13 Mar 2004, 04:52

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Richard Gallagher</i>

One of the problems when usuing these products is that there is a tendency on the drivers part to 'seek out' any extra performance so that consumption gains are lost due to a more spirited driving style.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
....which blows the accumulated soot out of the exhaust!
I find an Italian Tune-up works wonders when I've been pottering about for a while.
My ZX barely registered on the smoke tester for the last 2 MOTs with this treatment.

rg · Post by rg » 13 Mar 2004, 13:47

My local marine/industrial diesel specialist stocks Forte diesel system conditioner for "emergency" treatment, such as sticking injectors. These chaps do not sell fluffy dice or "Starsky and Hutch" stick-on stripes, so I take them seriously, and take it that they only stock and use stuff that actually works.
The "Latin Tune Up" seems to be a key. My 2.5 seems to smoke a bit when really gunned, but this is probably because it spends most of its time below 2500rpm.
rg

Dave Burns · Post by **Dave Burns** » 13 Mar 2004, 14:25

I don't think it matters much how respectable a manufacturer may seem, but lust like the common cold remedy that doctors say are a waste of money because they simply do not work, yet people still buy them in their droves, why, placebo thats why, they feel better without any physical change in their condition, a mind thing.
Same with these injector cleaners in my view, if you have a sticking injector, a piece of precision equipment that requires some 2500 psi to open it, its too late for mirracle cures if the thing sticks open, this baked on crud after many thousands of hours running is not simply washed away by half a litre of wonder juice diluted down to next to nothing with a tank of diesel.
The bottom line is that people are in bussiness to make money, so they sell things that they can make money on wether thay are any good or not, but if it makes you feel better to have thrown a fivers worth of mirracle cure into your tank then go ahead, but you'd be better off spending it on a nice bottle wine, and if you have injector troubles go to a diesel specialist and get the propper cure.
Dave

rg · Post by rg » 13 Mar 2004, 14:40

Dave,
I am highly suspicious of "snake oil cures". However, this stuff is stocked by a long-established diesel specialist who routinely dismantles pumps, injectors, etc, for marine and industrial diesels.
T.A. Flavell of Stockton on Tees are they.
It's always worth a try...
rg

Tinnie · Post by **Tinnie** » 13 Mar 2004, 16:55

I have used Millers "Diesel power plus" for 4 years in 2 Xantias, and I feel this has this has a benifical effect, although i am unable to prove this.
One bottle will treat 500 litres of diesel, it improves the cetane rating and lubricates the fuel pump.
I pay £7.99 a bottle and this last months on my milage.
As a regular reader of "Diesel car", the "Doctor" referred on more than one occasion to fuel additives and reading between the lines gace tacit approval to the above additive.
I have recently bought a Xantia HDI 110, which did not like 1500rpm in 4th gear around town, unlike my previous Xantia 1.9TD.
Done about 1800 miles since, and I feel this is improving.
Time will tell.
This a great forum, this is my first contribution.

bencowell · Post by **bencowell** » 13 Mar 2004, 18:05

My C5 HDI 110 is happy in 4th at 30, even up hills. About 1300 rpm.

rg · Post by rg » 13 Mar 2004, 18:08

And another thing...
I am mightily suspicious of what's left -out- of supermarket diesel these days...
rg

James.UK · Post by **James.UK** » 13 Mar 2004, 19:40

>I find an Italian Tune-up works wonders when I've been pottering about for a while.<
Erm.. whats an Italian tune up Arry? [:I] (feed it spagetti and and sing it a song??) [:o)]
Re additives, I think they do some good, as long as your cars not too far gone. I know my ex Mazda 323f 16vfi went better after I treated it with Fortes in the fuel, but I didn't notice any difference when I put some in the ZX.. Though the ZX is running fine, whereas the Mazda had minor bouts of hiccups when cold prior to being treated.. Fortes cured that.. [:)]
Reminds me, word of warning:- I was coming down from Scotland one eve in the Mazda, rocking on a bit [;)] and it was a very windy day, at about erm 90++ ish I turned the lights on. and nearly lost it!!! When the headlights popped up the car went so light on the front end I thought the steering wheel had come off!! That car was unsafe to drive at speed on a windy day with its headlights up.. So if your headlights pop be carefull when to you turn them on... [:0]
A boy racer bought it off me, I told him about the problem, but he'd 'driven one before' and knew all about it. [;)]..

rabenson · Post by **rabenson** » 13 Mar 2004, 22:08

I swear by injector cleaner. My last car, a pug 205 managed 210,000 miles without any injector problems whatsoever which I'm sure is down to a dose of injector cleaner every couple of months. Don't take my word for it, ask the taxi drivers in middlesbrough who pootle round town and use the cheapest diesel they can lay their hands on. Come emissions testing time, a bottle of IC and a blast up the a19 will get them through. I see it as a preventative, rather than a cure.

rg · Post by rg » 13 Mar 2004, 22:41

Rabenson,
My Pug went to 251,000 and the emissions got progressively better each test. Injector cleaner and a blast Eaglescliffe-Middlesbrough did it.
Work that one out!
On that basis, the air coming out the back would be cleaner than that going in eventually.
(so I guess you are local?)
rg
Green XM estate

tomsheppard · Post by **tomsheppard** » 14 Mar 2004, 02:29

The Italian tune up is to thrash the (warmed) engine. It is similar to the 100 mile service given to cars that have lived in the city or the hands of sedate drivers. It is advised before MOT ing a diesel. As for the snake oil, I have used injector treatments with great success, despite there seeming to be only a homeopathic dose. The best thing to do though is to renew the air and fuel filters.
As an aside, I once had a diesel that ran roughly until I accidentally started filling it with petrol. Realising my mistake after 2 litres, I brimmed the tank with DERV. For the next 6000 miles, she ran as smooth as silk!

Simon Canfer · Post by **Simon Canfer** » 14 Mar 2004, 16:42

Anyone know what's in these injector cleaners? They sure are pricey.
Personally I've never had a problem with MOT tests on a diesel and I've been driving them since before the test came in. I've never had a result above 1 (out of a permissible 3).
I just do the regular servicing, only service injectors when there's a problem (or if the head is coming off for other reasons!)
I use any old fuel and simply give the car a good thrash at least once a tankful.
Snake oil? Yes, in my opinion.
Simon Canfer