Bleeding diesel fuel system

[TractorTech]

If pressure builds up in fuel tank then tank vent is clogged.

True, but it depends upon the pressure applied. I omitted removal of the cap by mistake, but it needed to be said. Thanks @ruffdog.

Also, @Tx Jim, I see with over 10,000 posrs, you are a new member again!

 

[Tx Jim]

True, but it depends upon the pressure applied. I omitted removal of the cap by mistake, but it needed to be said. Thanks @ruffdog.

Also, @Tx Jim, I see with over 10,000 posrs, you are a new member again!

Several yrs ago I mistakenly got logged off this site by no fault of mine. I had to contact the site moderator to get logged back onto this site. My handle reference got changed to new member at that time & has just stuck there no matter what my post count is. It hasn't really bothered my ability to post threads so I've just ignored the fact that I have 10,317 posts as a "new member"!!

 

[sandman2234]

Keep an eys on the time that you actually run the starter. There are very short run times followed by very long let it cool times. Burning up a starter because you failed to adhere to the duty cycle time will hurt your back pocket ALOT!
Bleeding a fuel system is never fast.
David from jax

 

[texaswren]

Some systems are easier than others. On my Case tractor, I usually just need to get the air out of a couple of injector lines, all the way up to the injectors, and then it'll fire up and clear the rest of the lines on its own. On my VW TDI, though, even AFTER getting fuel right to the injectors, you still have to crank it hard (and have a battery charger ready). I suspect air gets trapped in the injector pump. Rotary pumps are worse for that than inline pumps.

 

[rsizem]

I have a Kutkwick mower than ran dry due to clogged tank screens. After replacement, I discovered the OEM technique was messy/dangerous (using pressured air to create a venturi at the pump to pull diesel fuel into...then pump while bleeding injectors. I added a valved tap at the fuel line nearest the injectors and used a vacuum box bubbler...pulled a vacuum until fuel was bubble free...closed valve...started engine (which took about 3 seconds of cranking)...removed the temporary vacuum box bubbler & line and good to go. Now I have a quick way to refill if the operator (me) runs the engine dry.

 

[TORQUIN]

If you have tried everything else, you can start the engine with a gasoline-soaked rag, over the intake. This will bleed the lines faster. Make SURE you don't let the rag get sucked into the intake. Put the rag before the air filter, if possible.
This is less destructive than starting fluid, on a diesel.

Chris

 

[Gord Baker]

Stupidly ran my Ford 1700 out of fuel and haven’t Ben able to successfully bled the fuel pump and restart the engine. Have Ben opening the bleed screw on the fuel pump while cranking the starter, but no success. Just getting a little bit of pulsing foamy bubbles every time, after about 20 attempts. Any secrets to being successful?
I’ve done this before, e.g. after changing the fuel filter and it has worked pretty quickly.

I have had success cracking one of the fuel lines at an injector and cranking til it starts. Don't forget to tighten it.

 

[Tractorbaja]

Tractor Forum has free factory manuals for the Ford 1700. There is an instructional for bleeding the fuel system.

 

[jdmeth]

The fuel pump has a manual pumping lever, do not use the starter to bleed the system. Open the bleed screw and work the lever up and down until all the air is out.