Sedimentor- is it really necessary?

Like the title says,on a 300tdi is it really necesarry?Is the possible gain outweighed by the problems it gives?Its in a bloody awkward place,gets all the ****e thrown at it,its a bugger to get apart,needs new seals when you DO get it open,then youve got to bleed the air out etc etc etc

CharlesY among others speak of bypassing it...simple job...are there any downsides?Given that fuel filters are cheap and easy to change?Id like to know others experience/opinions cos I want to take mine out of the equation.....

on my 200TDi it has been removed.

shocker said:

Like the title says,on a 300tdi is it really necesarry?Is the possible gain outweighed by the problems it gives?Its in a bloody awkward place,gets all the ****e thrown at it,its a bugger to get apart,needs new seals when you DO get it open,then youve got to bleed the air out etc etc etc

CharlesY among others speak of bypassing it...simple job...are there any downsides?Given that fuel filters are cheap and easy to change?Id like to know others experience/opinions cos I want to take mine out of the equation.....

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My two-penneth, for what it's worth is that you should keep it.

If you've taken your's off and found any rubbish in there, then you'll know why it's there. Imagine if you didn't have one, what would happen.

There is every chance that the rubbish that normally gets stoped by the sedimenter would block up the supply pie leading to the front of the car and that could be big trouble to clear. The problem is that this crâp won't just neatly get stuck in the forward fuel filter, it'll get stuck on the way.

You imply that fuel sedimenters cause loads of problems - I would argue that they don't, it's lack of maintenace that causes the problems.

Incidently, if they are taken off regularly, there is no problem to dismount them and, imo, no need to replace the rubber seals. Just take it off, takes about 2 mins, catch the loose diesel in an ice cream tub, clean it out and put it back on.

There shouldn't be any air in the system problem with a TDi 300 as they self-bleed. I have had no problems at all doing this on both our TDi300's, just keep the engine running on a fast idle.

So, my vote is keep them.

I wouldnt say that fuel sedimentors in general are a problem,just that this one ,the 300tdi is.You are right that lack of maintainance is a cause of trouble....since I dont have a pit or lift,or any flat ground come to that, its a bugger to get to,hence,little or no maintainance.I have worked on many lorries over the years that had accessable sedimentors and serviced them but have never had one off a 300,just assumed...open deisel system = bleed!

Thanks for the replies lads,keep 'em coming !

If they are so necessary how come defenders don't have them? Leave it alone till it becomes a problem, then bin it.

According to the Haynes new testament, it's main purpose is to prolong the life of the main fuel filter but as hughesy says defenders don't av them and to be honest my disco is the only motor I've ever owned thats had one (30 cars to date of various manufacturers) and assuming your not filling your motor out of manky jerry cans you shouldn't get that much water and crap in yer fuel anyways between scheduled services unless the tanks disintegrating inside but that'll present its very own problem when diesel starts ****ing out of it Plus the main filter has a tap on it to drain off water so why have to grovel around under the arse end needlessly?

Once you've taken one off, you'll understand better why they are there ....................................................................

I bled mine the other day for the first time in the two years that I have owned the car, and god only knows when or if the previous owners had done it.

I did originally try to take it apart, but the dam bolts had seized, and no amount of duck oil was getting them off.

Judging by the large amount of crap that came out of it whilst the engine was running, I'd suggest that they serve a good purpose.


When I next have some free time I will have another go at taking it apart properly again, but I for one will not be removing it perminatly.

I agree with theBigLad, it's easy to remove and no bleeding required.
No need to jack the car up, just go underneath and reach up. Undo the bolt on the top holding the bowl, you can't see it so have to go on feel. The worst bit is the 'wet arm' syndrome when removing the bowl

I did mine and the sticky goo that was in there would have clogged up the fuel lines for sure, so I would say keep it as well.

Regards

A few years ago I put a complete can of Wynns radiator sealant into the fuel tank mistaking it for a identical shape and colour Wynns diesel fuel additive, Didnt realise until the last drop Filled the tank with maximum fuel and drove back from Devon,
Over a period of a week every single drop of the sealer was recovered from the sedementer, I wouldnt remove it! Its very simple to drain and clean, you only need to replace the seals if they swell or you overtighten the through bolt,

regards
Ivor

None of the above explains why defenders don't have them. I've never heard of anything bad happening to a defender because it didn't have a sedimenter.

Sometimes makers fit things for no good reason, and sometimes they fit them in places that suits THEM at the time , but not us later!

Have a look at 300tdi sedimenter location, and just to prove they didn't learn, find a Disco TD5 FUEL filter .

If you REALLY want to keep a sedimenter there's nothing wrong with finding a far better location for it, and running pipes to suit.

CharlesY

Right,did the sedimentor clean yesterday- half a pound of sand,several amoebas and a faceful of drizzel.I still think its in a stupid place but can see the point of it.....on the manual 300 that Im re building I reckon I will move it to the engine bay and possibly replace it with a glass one of a lorry so I can see whats the score without removing it.

The accleration has improved a bit more ( i de EGR'd already ) but its still losing it a bit on long hills...I replaced the main fuel filter at the same time,I always have them around as any time I order from paddocks I get a kit....so its cat off next,then I suppose I shall have to look at the lift pump to see if thats gone lazy......

.....on that note has anyone tried putting an electric pump in line to up the pressure?

So Im keeping the sedimentors for now,but they will have to be re-designed to earn a permanant place on my 300s.Thanks to everyone for their comments,opinions and advice,this mutual support larks alright,innit?

soaking in drizzel shocksie

shocker said:

Right,did the sedimentor clean yesterday- half a pound of sand,several amoebas and a faceful of drizzel.I still think its in a stupid place but can see the point of it.....on the manual 300 that Im re building I reckon I will move it to the engine bay and possibly replace it with a glass one of a lorry so I can see whats the score without removing it.

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2 points:

1. They are a lot easier to deal with if they are serviced regularly &

2. I think they are positioned close to the tank to trap any crâp before it can get stuck in the long fuel lines going forward. If you move the sedimenter to the engine bay, those pipes won't be protected??

With lorries the fuel tank is usually up near the front, just back of the engine, so the clear sedimenter bowl is still close to the tank and the fuel lines are not that long anyway.

You may be right about modern lorries but the ones I own,have owned and have serviced,mainly rigids up to 17 tonne, have on the whole had a fuel tank some way down the rear part of the chassis and a glass sedimentor mounted on or near the engine.

However I do take your point about the pipes and it is a valid one,but....in my case I will be happy to keep it and put it in the engine bay.Worked on my D series and cargos (about the only thing that did!) and with any lck it will work for me.

Im not suggesting its the way everyone should go.My circumstances are quite different to many other peoples.

Once again thanKs for all the input

They don't fit them on defenders cos defender owners leave a bit in the bottom of the drum, disco owners tip the lot in .

the main reason for the sedimentor is to catch any large crap that can damage the lift pump which the fuel line hits before the main filter i will be keeping mine
saying that a 300tdi will run without a lift pump

Ignoring what Land Rover says, what sort of service intervals would you chaps reccomend?

Give the sedometer a quick drain every 6000 miles and for how little it costs for a new seal kit, remove and clean every 12'000 miles?

I know that some of you might baulk at wasting the £2-3 for a fitting kit, but I prefer preventive maintinance.

Disco Moneypit said:

Ignoring what Land Rover says, what sort of service intervals would you chaps reccomend?

I know that some of you might baulk at wasting the £2-3 for a fitting kit, but I prefer preventive maintinance.

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Maintainance? LandRovers?

Huh?

Surely you just fix them when they break?

CharlesY

Disco Moneypit said:

Ignoring what Land Rover says, what sort of service intervals would you chaps reccomend?

Give the sedometer a quick drain every 6000 miles and for how little it costs for a new seal kit, remove and clean every 12'000 miles?

I know that some of you might baulk at wasting the £2-3 for a fitting kit, but I prefer preventive maintinance.

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My service schedule is as follows:

1. Every 5000mls - all filters changed, (£6.28+vat Paddocks kit of all three) plus engine oil.

2. Every year change all oils ie engine, gear & tranny box plus axles. Unless I've been wading then I would change the axle oils straight after. Plus dismount, clean and remount the fuel sedimenter.

Cheers
Dave