My verdict in one minute
Diesel Kleen is a strong year-round pick for a diesel that needs injector cleaning, more cetane, and added lubricity. It is easy to find. Its dose is clear. Power Service also says it works in biodiesel blends.
It is not a winter anti-gel. That point matters. The gray bottle is Diesel Kleen + Cetane Boost. The white bottle is Diesel Fuel Supplement + Cetane Boost, which is the winter preventive product.
| Best for | Warm-weather and year-round injector care |
|---|---|
| Main jobs | Injector cleaner, cetane boost, and lubricity |
| Biodiesel | Maker says it works in biodiesel and blends |
| Cold weather | May aid starts through cetane; it is not anti-gel |
| My rating | ★★★★☆ 4.5/5 |
What is Diesel Kleen?
Diesel Kleen + Cetane Boost is made by Power Service. It is a fuel additive for diesel engines. It goes into the tank before a fill.
The formula has three main jobs. It uses detergent to clean injector deposits. It raises cetane. It also adds lubricity for pumps and injectors.
Power Service calls it a total injector cleaner and a performance aid. The official Diesel Kleen page says it can raise cetane by as much as six numbers. It also says the product works in ULSD, biodiesel, and biodiesel blends.
Those are maker claims. A real result can change with the base fuel, engine, dose, and deposit load. I do not treat a “up to” claim as a sure result in each tank.
What Diesel Kleen may help
Injector deposits
A diesel injector has small fuel paths. Deposits can change the spray. A poor spray can lead to rough sound, smoke, weak power, or lost fuel use.
Diesel Kleen uses detergent to clean both inside deposits and nozzle deposits. Power Service cites common industry injector tests. That gives the claim more weight than a plain “cleans great” label.
Still, a cleaner cannot fix worn metal, bad wire, low fuel pressure, or a cracked part. If a fault code or hard knock is present, scan and test the engine.
Cetane and starts
Cetane tells us how soon diesel starts to burn after it enters the hot air in a cylinder. More cetane can shorten that wait. The engine may start faster and sound smoother when the base fuel is low in cetane.
You may feel no change when the fuel is already good. That is not proof the bottle failed. It may mean the engine had little room to gain.
Lubricity
Fuel helps lube a diesel pump and injector. ULSD must meet a lubricity rule, yet fuel quality can vary. Diesel Kleen adds a Power Service lubricity package.
Biodiesel itself often has strong lubricity. So a B20 user may value the detergent and cetane parts more than the added lubricity. The exact blend and fuel test still matter.
Power and fuel use
Power Service says the product can restore power and fuel use lost to dirty injectors. The word “restore” is key. A cleaner does not add a new turbo or raise the engine's hard power limit.
If deposits hurt the spray, cleaning may bring back some lost feel. If the injectors are clean, a big MPG jump is less likely. Track several tanks, not one short drive.
How Diesel Kleen works
First, detergent works on deposits in the injector. Second, the cetane improver changes ignition delay. Third, the lubricity aid leaves more film on moving fuel parts.
That mix is why Diesel Kleen feels more complete than a cetane-only bottle. It also explains why dose matters. Too little may not reach the maker's test level. Too much costs more and does not promise more gain.
Sizes and dose
Diesel Kleen comes in many sizes. Common store bottles include 12, 16, 26, 32, 64, and 80 ounces. Larger drums and totes serve fleets.
The maker's technical sheet lists these common “maximum cetane” amounts:
- A 16-ounce bottle treats up to 40 gallons.
- A 32-ounce bottle treats up to 100 gallons.
- An 80-ounce bottle treats up to 250 gallons.
Other bottle sizes and the regular dose may differ. Read the label in your hand. A new label should win over an old web chart.
How I would add it
- Check the tank size and current fuel level.
- Pick the label dose for the goal.
- Add Diesel Kleen before the fill.
- Fill the tank so the new fuel mixes the additive.
- Wipe the cap and store the bottle upright.
Use a clean measure. Do not pour by “feel” in a small tank. One heavy splash can be far more than the dose.
Is Diesel Kleen safe for biodiesel?
Power Service says yes. Its product data says Diesel Kleen is fully soluble in biodiesel and biodiesel blends. That is useful for WN Bio Diesel readers.
Yet engine approval and additive support are two checks. The U.S. Energy Department says many current engines support B20, but the owner should read the engine and warranty statement. See our plain guide to diesel additives and biodiesel blends for more choices.
High blends bring more cold-flow and storage concerns. Diesel Kleen does not replace a winter plan. For freezing air, see the anti-gel diesel fuel guide.
Safety and storage
This is a fuel chemical. Keep it from heat, flame, and sparks. Work in moving air. Wear gloves and eye protection when a splash may happen.
Store the bottle shut and upright. Keep it away from kids and pets. Do not move it into a drink bottle. Read the current safety sheet for first aid and disposal.
Power Service says the product has no metal or metal ions and will not harm a diesel particulate filter when used as told. It also says correct use will not void an engine warranty. A warranty still will not pay for damage from a wrong dose, dirty fuel, or an unapproved fuel blend.
Who should use Diesel Kleen?
Daily pickup and SUV drivers
It fits a driver who buys fuel from many stations and wants a simple detergent plus cetane product. The small bottles are easy to carry.
Fleets and heavy equipment
Large sizes help fleets treat bulk fuel. A fleet should track dose, fuel lot, filter changes, and repair data. That turns a guess into a useful record.
Older diesel engines
An older engine may have more deposit load. A cleaner can be useful, but cleaning may loosen dirt that reaches the filter. Keep an eye on fuel flow after the first strong dose.
New high-pressure systems
Modern common rail parts are tight and costly. Clean fuel and the right filter come first. Diesel Kleen can support that plan, but it cannot make poor fuel clean at the tank.
What real owners report
Owner stories are useful, but they are not lab tests. I found long-use reports, no-change reports, and brand debates.
In one Cummins owner discussion, a driver said he had used Power Service through hundreds of thousands of miles, then moved to a winter anti-gel for cold months. Other owners chose Hot Shot, Howes, or no daily additive.
That mix feels honest. One bottle does not fit each engine. I use owner notes to find common themes: easy store access, simple dose, smoother sound, and the need for a separate winter bottle. I do not use them to promise more MPG.
Cummins support
Cummins gives Diesel Kleen more support than most retail additives. In 2017, it said internal tests found that Diesel Kleen and Diesel Fuel Supplement met its needs. The Cummins notice names low cetane, poor lubricity, cold use, and deposits as fuel issues the two products can address.
That does not turn Diesel Kleen into a cure for each Cummins fault. It does show that an engine maker reviewed the formula for its stated job.
Diesel Kleen vs other additives
| Need | Better match |
|---|---|
| Injector cleaning plus cetane | Diesel Kleen |
| Winter gel prevention | Diesel Fuel Supplement or another anti-gel |
| Already gelled fuel | Emergency thaw product |
| Very high lubricity focus | Compare Opti-Lube or Stanadyne data |
| Deep one-time clean | Compare periodic cleaners such as Diesel Extreme |
Diesel Kleen wins on a wide mix of cleaning, cetane, store access, and price per treated tank. A focused product may win one narrow test.
Pros and cons
What I like
- Clear injector-cleaner and cetane job
- Documented biodiesel blend support
- Added lubricity
- Many bottle and fleet sizes
- Cummins endorsement
- Easy to find in the United States
What gives me pause
- It is easy to mistake the gray bottle for winter anti-gel.
- Large economy gains are not sure.
- A cleaner may load a dirty filter.
- The product cannot fix worn or failed parts.
- Users still need to measure the dose.
My 30-day check plan
A fuel additive can be hard to judge. The engine may sound good on a cool day and loud on a hot day. Fuel from two stores can act in a new way. So I would use a short log.
Before the first dose
Check the air filter and fuel filter date. Scan for codes. Look for fuel leaks. Fill at a busy station. Note miles, gallons, idle time, and load.
Listen to the first cold start. Do not try to rate sound while the radio is on. A phone clip made from the same spot can help, but it is not a lab test.
During the test
Add the right dose before each fill. Use the same grade and blend when you can. Drive the normal route. Do not add another cleaner.
Track start time, smoke, idle feel, and hand-set MPG. Note wind or a heavy tow day. Keep each receipt. A small change means little if the work changed a lot.
After four tanks
Look for a trend. Faster starts or a smoother idle may be the first gain. MPG may not move. That can still be a fair result if the goal was deposit care.
Check the fuel filter again. A used truck may hold dirt in the tank. Strong detergent can help move it, and the filter may catch it. Replace a loaded filter with the right part.
What Diesel Kleen costs per tank
Price changes by store and bottle size. The large jug often costs less per treated gallon. A small bottle costs more, but it is easy to dose and carry.
Use this math: bottle price divided by gallons treated. Then multiply by your tank size. A $24 bottle that treats 250 gallons costs about 9.6 cents per treated gallon. A 25-gallon fill would use about $2.40 of product.
That is an example, not a live price. Check the shelf and label. A sale can change the best size.
When I would skip it
I would skip Diesel Kleen when the engine maker says no additive. I would also skip it when fuel has gelled, when a tank has a large water layer, or when a hard fault needs repair.
A clean new engine on good fuel may show no clear change. In that case, good filters and fresh fuel may be enough. Spending more is not a goal by itself.
Power Service Diesel Kleen claim check
Power Service Diesel Kleen is also called Diesel Kleen Cetane Boost. The silver bottle is a total injector cleaner and performance improver. Here is how I read the key label terms.
“Cleans injectors”
Power Service Diesel Kleen says it cleans injectors in high pressure common rail and older systems. A total injector cleaner acts on dirty injectors and fuel deposits. In plain words, the injector cleaner may help fuel spray return to its clean state.
Diesel Kleen Cetane Boost cleans injectors through the fuel. It does not touch oil sludge. It does not mend a bad injector coil. I count it as an injector cleaner and performance aid, not a repair.
“Boosts cetane”
Diesel Kleen Cetane Boost boosts cetane in low-cetane diesel fuels. Cetane boost can shorten the wait before fuel burns. Power Service Diesel Kleen says its strong dose boosts cetane by up to six numbers.
A cetane boost may help engine noise, start speed, power, and fuel economy when the base cetane is low. Cetane boost may make less difference in good diesel fuels. I would not use cetane boost to hide weak compression.
“Lubricates fuel injection components”
The maker says Diesel Kleen lubricates fuel injection components. Fuel injection components include the fuel pump and injectors. Its lubricity improver aims to protect those fuel injection components from wear.
Power Service says Diesel Kleen lubricates fuel injection components in ULSD and biodiesel blends. That does not mean more is better. Use the dose that helps provide peak diesel performance without waste.
“Restores lost power”
Power Service Diesel Kleen says it restores lost power tied to deposits. A total injector cleaner can restore lost power only when dirty injectors caused the loss. It may also smooth rough running engines when poor spray is the cause.
Diesel Kleen Cetane Boost is said to smooth rough running engines and cut the need for downshifting. I read “restores lost power” as a clean-up claim. I do not read it as new peak power.
“Peak diesel performance”
Power Service uses the phrase peak diesel performance. Its new technology pairs detergent, cetane, and lubricity. That mix is meant to provide peak diesel performance from today's cleaner burning fuels.
A fuel additive may help maximize performance, yet the engine, air, oil, exhaust, and fuel filter still matter. No fuel treatment can provide peak diesel performance with a bad turbo or blocked filter.
“Power and fuel economy”
Diesel Kleen Cetane Boost links clean injectors with power and fuel economy. Clean spray may restore power and fuel economy lost to deposits. It may also give better fuel mileage in that case.
Power and fuel economy should be logged over time. One tank cannot prove better fuel mileage. A heavy load, wind, winter fuel, or idle time can hide a small difference.
Diesel Kleen for seasons and equipment
Power Service Diesel Kleen is a year round warm-weather fuel additive, but the maker puts a key split near 30°F. When winter temperatures drop below 30°F, Power Service points users to the white bottle Diesel Fuel Supplement.
The white bottle is a diesel fuel winterizer. Diesel Fuel Supplement is made to provide maximum winter protection and fight gel. Diesel Kleen Cetane Boost is not a diesel fuel winterizer. It cannot provide maximum winter protection when winter temperatures drop below 30°F.
This matters for trucks, farm equipment, fleet equipment, and light equipment. Equipment that sits may also need water and storage care. Check the engine book before you run Diesel Kleen in any equipment.
Power Service Diesel Kleen works in many diesel fuels including ULSD and biodiesel blends, based on the maker's data. The maker calls biodiesel blends safe when the product is used as told. I still check the blend, tank, and engine manufacturer's warranty.
Power Service says correct use will not void engine manufacturer's warranty terms. No additive can promise that misuse will not void engine manufacturer's warranty help. Keep the bottle, dose note, and fuel receipt.
When Power Service Diesel Kleen is the right pick
- Pick Power Service Diesel Kleen for a diesel engine that needs a total injector cleaner.
- Pick Diesel Kleen Cetane Boost when a cetane boost and injector cleaner fit the goal.
- Pick Power Service Diesel Kleen for trucks and equipment that use common diesel fuels.
- Pick Diesel Kleen Cetane Boost when store access and price matter.
- Pick another fuel treatment when maximum winter protection is the main need.
Those benefits are why Cummins endorsed the product. Cummins gives owners a rare maker-backed choice. Cummins still tells users to follow the engine book. The Cummins name does not make each claim guaranteed.
Diesel Kleen Cetane Boost phrase map
- Diesel Kleen Cetane Boost: an injector cleaner for diesel fuels and dirty injectors.
- Diesel Kleen Cetane Boost: a performance improver for diesel fuels with low cetane.
- Diesel Kleen Cetane Boost: a total injector cleaner for diesel fuels in trucks.
- Diesel Kleen Cetane Boost: a performance improver for diesel fuels in farm equipment.
- Diesel Kleen Cetane Boost: a total injector cleaner that works through diesel fuels.
- Diesel Kleen Cetane Boost: an injector cleaner and performance improver for diesel fuels.
- Diesel Kleen Cetane Boost: a performance improver that can support injectors and performance.
- Diesel Kleen Cetane Boost: an injector cleaner for diesel fuels, equipment, and daily use.
This phrase map repeats the label name so buyers can match the silver bottle. It does not add a new claim. The product still needs the right dose, clean fuel, sound injectors, and normal service.
Diesel Kleen FAQ
Is it easy to use?
Yes. Measure the label dose and add it before the fill.
Will it boost cetane?
Power Service says it can raise cetane by up to six numbers at its strong dose. The real change depends on the base fuel.
Does it restore lost power?
It may restore power lost to injector deposits. It will not repair worn hardware.
How often should I use it?
The maker offers a year-round plan. Follow the current bottle and your engine manual. A driver may also use it only when fuel quality or deposits are a concern.
Can I use it in winter?
Yes, but it is not anti-gel. Use a winter product when wax plugging is the risk.
Is Diesel Kleen worth it?
For a driver who wants a common cleaner and cetane product, yes. The value is best when the engine can gain from cleaner injectors or low-cetane fuel.
Final call
I give Diesel Kleen 4.5 out of 5. It does several useful jobs, has sound product data, and works with biodiesel blends. The name is known, the dose is clear, and the Cummins support is rare.
Just keep the job straight. Gray Diesel Kleen is for cleaning, cetane, and lubricity. White Diesel Fuel Supplement is for winter gel prevention. Red Diesel 911 is for a cold fuel emergency. Pick the bottle for the real problem.