Fuel injectors are key parts of your vehicle, but over time they can get clogged up with carbon and soot deposits created by the incomplete combustion of fuel. If you’ve noticed that your vehicle isn’t accelerating properly or you seem to be using a lot more fuel than normal, you could have dirty fuel injectors. That’s why it’s so essential to ensure they are kept as clean as possible. But how do you clean fuel injectors? And can you do it without removing them? Read on to find out more.

What are fuel injectors?

As the name suggests, fuel injectors are components that inject fuel into your engine. They work kind of like a spray bottle, releasing a mist of fuel which then mixes with air before being ignited by a spark to create the combustion required to power the engine. Fuel injectors are designed to ensure that only the right amount of fuel is delivered for efficient combustion, and this is crucial for engine performance and fuel economy. In the simplest terms, vehicles are essentially powered by controlled explosions that propel them forward. The fuel injectors provide the fuel necessary for that explosion to occur.

Why do diesel fuel injectors fail?

While there are multiple types of injectors for diesel engines, they are all affected and suffer from similar issues. Keeping a diesel engine operating correctly relies on the supply of air and fuel working as intended by the manufacturer, so keeping your fuel system (especially your injectors) working properly is a necessity to extend the life of your components and avoid premature failure. There are two main reasons for injectors to fail:

Deposits

There are two types of injector deposits: injector nozzle deposits (coking) and internal diesel injector deposits (IDID). Deposits on your injectors affect the spray pattern by reducing the effective flow rate of the nozzles and decreasing the atomization of the fuel into the combustion chamber. Atomization is the process of turning a liquid into a fine mist, and it’s incredibly important to the combustion process as the fuel must mix with oxygen to achieve complete and rapid combustion. 

Deposits on your injectors will reduce atomization, creating weak or late combustion which leads to more deposits and unburnt fuel left within the exhaust, instead of being converted into maximum power and torque. The injector spray pattern should look more like a mist than a stream, allowing each particle to combust on time. When the spray pattern looks more like a stream, the fuel takes longer to combust.

Excessive Wear

The quality of diesel fuel also plays a large part in how your truck runs and the lifespan of your engine components. The diesel fuel system relies solely on fuel to lubricate the internal parts of injectors. The issue with the lubricity of diesel at the pump is that the EPA regulates standards to a much lower level than that of engine manufacturers. This means the fuel you are getting at the pump does not meet the lubricity level your vehicle requires.

What are the symptoms of a bad fuel injector?

Over time, fuel injectors get dirty and clogged up with bits of dried fuel. When an injector collects dirt and gets clogged, it can alter the spray pattern and disrupt the way the fuel mixes with the air. This leads to a number of negative effects on your engine’s performance such as delayed acceleration, inefficient fuel use, and can even cause a failure to start.

By understanding the symptoms of dirty fuel injectors, you can address any issues before they lead to more severe problems. Common symptoms of dirty fuel injectors to look out for include:

Rough idling

If you turn your ignition on and feel a bouncing or shaking sensation then your engine may be rough idling. A number of problems can cause rough idling and dirty fuel injectors are one of them.

Engine misfires

An engine misfire occurs when a cylinder in an engine doesn't produce enough power or lacks fuel. This can lead to a loss of power, shaking of the vehicle, or a sputtering sound coming from the engine.

Poor acceleration

If you notice that your vehicle has a lack of power or seems to be slower than normal when it comes to accelerating, it could be a fuel injector issue.

Difficulty starting the engine

Dirty fuel injectors may cause the engine to struggle to start as not enough fuel is getting into the engine to produce combustion.

Increased fuel consumption

This one is harder to notice, but clogged fuel injectors will decrease your fuel economy as the engine must work harder to overcome the clogged injectors.

Check engine light

If you don’t notice any of the above symptoms then don’t worry as there’s a good chance your vehicle will notice it for you. The onboard diagnostics system in your vehicle may detect injector issues and display the check engine light.

How to clean your fuel injectors

If you’re worried that you have a fuel injector problem and you take your vehicle to a mechanic, after inspection and testing it is likely they will tell you that you need new fuel injectors. Depending on the type of vehicle you have, this could cost thousands of dollars. Fortunately, there is a much easier and cheaper way to unclog your fuel injectors: Archoil’s specially formulated Diesel Fuel System Kit.

This easy-to-use kit provides two powerful diesel additives that can help clean and restore your whole fuel system by removing those built-up deposits. Our AR6400-D Diesel Fuel System Cleaner works as a “deep clean” of your system, helping to remove the most stubborn of deposits with a high concentration of powerful detergents. The image below shows the difference in fuel injector spray patterns before and after the use of Archoil’s diesel fuel additives.

After giving your system a deep clean, you can then add AR6500 Diesel Treatment to the tank every time you fill up to provide ongoing cleaning and maintenance of your fuel system. The AR6500 provides enough detergents to maintain your fuel system, while also incorporating Archoil's proven combustion modifier technology and a strong cetane boost. 

The chemistry in these two products leads to reduced soot and carbon build-up, cleaning up any injector deposits, restoring injector spray patterns, and improving fuel quality to ensure complete combustion, increasing power and MPG while reducing the creation of deposits. Not only that, but the AR6500 also creates a protective lubricating barrier that protects your fuel system and injectors from excessive wear.

How to clean fuel injectors without removing them (using fuel additives)

The simplest and most time and cost-efficient way to clean your fuel injectors is undoubtedly to use a fuel additive. If you take your diesel to a shop because your injectors aren’t firing correctly, it is likely they will suggest replacing the injectors. While this will fix the problem, it can be incredibly expensive and chances are a quality diesel fuel additive will be able to fix the problem. Using diesel fuel additives is a straightforward process for cleaning fuel injectors without removing them. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use them:.

Step 1: Purchase a high-quality fuel injector cleaner

Make sure you choose a fuel injector cleaner from a reputable brand, such as Archoil. These cleaners contain detergents and other chemicals designed to break down and remove deposits from the fuel injectors. Archoil’s AR6500 Diesel Treatment is a fuel treatment you can use every time you fill up to help remove small deposits that have built up on your fuel injectors. For a deeper clean, use Archoil’s AR6400-D Diesel Fuel System Cleaner every 5,000 miles or as needed.

Step 2: Add the cleaner to your fuel tank

Always follow the instructions on the fuel injector cleaner bottle and follow them carefully. Typically, it will be a simple matter of pouring the cleaner into your fuel tank before then filling it with diesel. Doing it this way ensures that the cleaner mixes thoroughly with the fuel.

Step 3: Drive your vehicle

After you’ve added the cleaner and refueled your vehicle, simply drive it as normal. The cleaner will continue to mix with the fuel, and as it passes through the fuel injectors it will start to break down deposits and clean the system.

Fuel Injector FAQs

How often to clean fuel injectors?

By using a powerful diesel fuel additive every time you fill up, you will never need to clean your fuel injectors. By adding powerful detergents to your diesel fuel, carbon deposits and soot are never allowed to build up in the first place, keeping them running smoothly around the clock.

How much does it cost to clean fuel injectors?

Using diesel fuel additives is the simplest and most cost-effective way to clean your fuel injectors. A deep clean of your system costs around $25, while ongoing maintenance with diesel fuel additives can cost as little as 11 cents per gallon treated.

How to clean fuel injectors without removal?

The easiest way to clean your fuel injectors without removing them is to use fuel additives. Simply add the cleaner to your fuel tank and drive your vehicle as normal. The cleaner will mix with the fuel and clean the injectors as it passes through them.

How to clean fuel injectors at home?

We would never recommend trying to manually clean your fuel injectors yourself at home. It can be a complex and laborious process, and the results are no better (in fact they will likely be worse) than simply using a diesel fuel additive with powerful cleaning properties.

How long does it take to clean fuel injectors?

From the moment you add a diesel fuel additive to your system, the cleaning process will begin right away. As you drive, the fuel/additive mixture will continually clean your injectors every time fuel is sprayed into the combustion chamber. The more you drive, the faster your fuel injectors will be cleaned.

Conclusion

Cleaning your fuel injectors is a vital part of maintaining your vehicle's engine performance and fuel efficiency. Whether you choose to use fuel additives, perform a manual cleaning at home, or seek professional services, keeping your fuel injectors clean will ensure your vehicle runs smoothly and efficiently for years to come. 

For more great vehicle care and maintenance tips, why not check out our Resources page?