Help me get rid of my gas! (Air, specifically.)

[TSGB]

So I've got my filters and injection lines packed full of air. Tried cranking with the pink wire on and off, the bleeder valve on the filter open and closed, the filter primed, and with the lines cracked.

What do I need to do to get fuel to the cylinders again?

 

[BKinzey]

Lines cracked at the injectors?

Are you getting fuel to the filter? If not you have to get fuel there first, then to the IP.

Be very careful about cranking it over too long and burning up your starter.

 

[TSGB]

I need to get fuel to the filter first. I tried priming it, but that didn't work for whatever reason. No leak at the filter or it's base, so that's ok.

I have the lines cracked at the injectors, but that didn't do the trick either.

I'm only cranking for 15 seconds, then giving it a minute or two to cool.

 

[kennyw]

Buy a cheap electric fuel pump and use that to prime the lines. It takes a long time to prime that fuel filter.

 

[4x4_76]

You might want to remove glow plugs, much easier on starter. I've never cracked injectors, I just prime filter first, then IP. If everything works as they should, engine has started with no problems.

 

[TSGB]

I have manual plugs.

I have one of those little electric fuel pumps. Will it do the job if I install it immediately downstream of my primary filter, with the bleed screw closed? What kind of run time would I expect?

 

[diaric]

you can remove your return line at the IP, hook a compressor to it and pump no more than 3 psi. it will pressurize the tank and prime the system, keep the filter bleed open and you'll see when the fuel flows.

 

[kennyw]

I always disconnect the fuel lines at the lift pump and put the electric pump in right there. Bleed the filter first, then remove the electric pump and crank with the starter. The cheap electric pumps need to have gravity supply the fuel to them or they will just cavitate (do nothing and heat up until they die).

 

[TSGB]

So I'll be installing the electric (temporarily) where the mechanical pump would normally be in the lines?

 

[tRustyK5]

My procedure is this:

Fill filter with fuel, spin on.
Disconnect pink wire
Remove glow plugs
Diconnect fuel line just after the filter and set up a small container
Crank engine for 15-30 seconds
Repeat until fuel is flowing from the line aft of the fuel filter.
Reconnect the fuel line. Remove container.
Reconnect the pink wire
Crack all 8 injector lines
Crank for 15-30 seconds at a time
As lines start to drip tighten them up
When at least 6 have dripped fuel tighten them all.
Re-install GP's
Glow the plugs, half throttle or better and fire it up.
Keep the throttle down a bit until it smooths out.

Have a beer.

Rene

 

[kennyw]

So I'll be installing the electric (temporarily) where the mechanical pump would normally be in the lines?

That is the easiest way I have found to do it.

Last time I changed filters ('83 with primary/secondary spin on filters) I simply unscrewed the old ones, filled the new ones to the top and installed, then started the truck. There is a lot less air in the lines changing the filters than running it out of fuel.

 

[TSGB]

Thank you for the help, gentlemen. I'll let you know how it goes, and what I end up doing.