How do I clean the injectors on a diesel engine?

Question

I've got a LDV 200 series 1.9 diesel, and want to cut down on pollution when I start up. Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi

You don't have to remove the injectors to have them cleaned these days. Most garages will connect your fuel lines to a tank of fuel system cleaner and run your engine on pure fuel system cleaner which does the job a treat.

I've had it done twice on two extremely high mileage diesels and it works a treat as long as the injectors aren't completely shot.

Cheers

Geordie

Answer 2

No need to pull the injectors out. Best way ive found rather than take it to a garage is to remove the fuel filter if possible(if its the screw on type). Fill a new filter with neat diesel system/injector cleaner. Bleed the system then start her up. I would also put a tin in the tank also. P.s taking the injectors out and having the tested in the past has been a waste of time in my experience. Because 9 times out of 10 they come back with no faults found when one of thems been nackered. Good luck.

Answer 3

The regiment I personally follow for my own 7.3 liter Ford Powerstroke is once a year I will run a bottle of 44K Diesel Injector Cleaner, found at most Napa auto parts stores. Check the instructions on the bottle for amount needed compared to your fuel tank capacity, usually 1 bottle will do about a 20 gallon tank or so. On your next trip to the gas station, dump in the 44K, then fill your tank with fuel. Run the tank until it is as empty as you can get it without running out of fuel, not all at once mind you, that'd be a long road trip! As for the smoke at start up, Amsoil makes a wonderful additive for diesels that lubricates your pumps, which is very important with the introduction of the ulta low sulphur fuel, and makes a very noticeable difference in the amount of smoke on initial start up and on hard exelleration. Yes, biodiesel produces less smoke and pollutants than straight pertoleum based diesel. I personally make my own fuel from used restaurant cooking oil, have been for about a year and a half. Extremely cost effective, my fuel is roughly 1.45 to 1.50 a gallon, with no performance or mileage degradation. Be careful on which biodiesel you go with. Most use lye in the process, and lye tends to eat the O-rings in your fuel system if they happen to be rubber. Viton or neoprene type O-rings are safe though. This would only be a concern if you are running 50% or more biodiesel to petroleum diesel blend, and seeing that most biodiesl that is sold is less than that, it can usually be run with no concern. Enjoy your diesel! Once you go diesel, you'll never go back to gasoline engines again! The mileage, the power and the potential to be far cleaner by running a good biodiesel makes it hard to even consider going back to gasoline!

Answer 4

They're naturally smoky engines at start up, but there's a trick garages use to get smoky diesels past the emissions test. They use a "trade" cleaner, but retail injector cleaners would probably work nearly as well. Some is trickled into the air intake (minus filter), the rest dumped in the tank and then the vehicle's taken for a good hard run, normally foot hard down in third for some distance, revving its little pots off. The smokescreen has to be seen to be believed, but it certainly works!

Answer 5

LDVs are all rather "smoky" when first started. I think its just the way they are. All the advice above is good except for taking out the injectors yourself. This should be done by a diesel mechanic, apart from that, good luck..!

Answer 6

If you want to cut down on pollution, try to research if Biodiesel is available in your area. Its much cleaner burning than petroleum grade diesel. They are usually sold in blends of 10% or 20% by volume. As an added bonus, Biodiesel acts as a solvent as well and cleans up your injectors.

A common problem with new Biodiesel users is that the new fuel can dislodge or free up accumulated gunk or sediments in your fuel tank. This is then carried through the fuel lines to your fuel filter. Eventually your fuel filter will get clogged. You may need to change your fuel filter once or twice during the first few months of changing to Biodiesel depending on how much gunk or deposit has accumulated in your tank.

Answer 7

As above, or you could remove them and take them to a diesel specialist for a 'real' clean and have them tested at the same time. If they have done a really high mileage they may need replaced.

Answer 8

if you've got smoke on start up somethings not right. is it black smoke or blue (diesel or oil) if it's oil suspect it's draining down worn valves guides overnight causing smoke on start up. black smoke suggests injector fault get them tested at lucas overhaul if necessary (will improve economy & performance) if primera eng (direct injection) injectors can stick in head use duck oil & extractor.

Answer 9

get a bottle of injector cleaner from a car accosorie shop make sure its an expensive one about £10 they work better you just pour it in to the deisel and it cleans them as you drive

Answer 10

as "orphanbo" said,but try to the one made by "Slick 50"not oil additive!!! but fuel,it works for diesel & petrol,I would recomend it,good luck.