Installing fuel sedimentor on Defender 90
October 09, 2005Vehicle: Defender 90, 300TDI, 1997.
Top view of sedimentor unit. This Delphi unit is pretty solid and well made, except plastic drain plug (not visible on the picture) that is known to snap off.
Here we see what’s inside of the unit.
Default sedimentor position is chassis inside right rear wheel arch. Mounting holes are pre-drilled in the factory.
Right side must be mounted using rivet nut, because it mounts to closed chassis. Rivet nut that big requires special riveters and common big scissor type tool probably can’t be used because there is no room. I used M10 rivet nut, so I needed to drill the hole to 12mm. After visiting 3 car services in my town and no one had the big riveter tool, I managed to install it without, just by pulling using a bolt (beware of over tightening and ruining the thread!).
I also had to make a 3mm spacer plate from sheet metal to position the unit off chassis because there is pressed highting right below mounting holes and this gets into contact with the unit.
Here we see factory fuel tank setting where fuel line (in center) goes to fuel pump.
Now we have 2 new hoses instead of one. First one goes from tank to sedimentor and second comes back from sedimentor to fuel pump.
Sedimentor and back cover installed. This black cover is optional. I ordered it without seeing one first, but once mounted I think it is not the best fit for given sedimentor unit (could be closed from top also). But lets hope it provides some more protection to the unit and hoses.
Now installation is complete, from cover is also mounted. This cover it easy to remove without any tools if you need to drain or clean the sedimentor.
When installation is done, you’ll need to bleed fuel system by opening bleed screw on top of fuel filter and operate fuel pump by hand until fuel comes out from bleed screw. Being a beginner “car mechanic” this was the first time for me to bleed fuel system, so I learned that the bleed screw should not be opened too much if fountain of diesel is not the goal. ;)
Required parts:
NRC9708, sedimentor unit (sometimes also referred as sedimenter). I have Delphi unit, not genuine. Not sure if Delphi is OEM or not, but that unit is pretty solid.
NTC4601, fuel pipe from tank to sedimentor
ESR3129, fuel pipe from sedimentor to pump
Optional parts:
AFU1107, twin fuel pipe clip
WKT100020, front cover
WKT100010, rear cover
Here is some crap you can find from your sedimentor (after using African fuel for some time). The black stuff is pretty scary jelly-like blob.