How to bleed fuel line

winter5470 · Oct 16, 2012

I have an LK 2552, Normally I never let the fuel tank get below 1/4 but I messed up and ran out of fuel. Does anybody have pics and description of how to bleed the fuel system. I am a novice to diesel engines.
Thanks
Kurt

Oldtractorfixer · Oct 16, 2012

If you have an owners manual it will have instructions. In general, You check to see if it has a manual priming pump. If not you will use the starter. First get the fuel filter(s) full. If there is a plug in the top loosen or remove the plug and either fill manually (sometimes just removing the filter and filling with fuel is easiest) or try to pump up with fuel. Once the filter is full loosen the injector lines at the injectors or pump. Either using the manual pump or using the starter in short bursts (20-30 sec and let cool) work till you get fuel at the loosened lines. Tighten the lines and it hopefully will start. It will run rough at first, rev it up and let it run a little and it should clear. Good Luck.

Coyote machine · Oct 17, 2012

Or, if your model has a 3 way lever valve at the fuel filter bowl then you can turn it from closed to open, or prime, (can't remember the specific things it says on the bowl/housing). This way you avoid letting air into the injectors, etc., Otherwise follow what oldtractorfixer said.

winter5470 · Oct 17, 2012

Thanks guys. I am sure I have my owners manual somewhere. My fuel filter has a 3 way knob - open, closed and air. Not sure what the air is for? Bleeding?

winter5470 · Oct 17, 2012

Went on you tube - found a video of how to bleed a fuel line. Got it going. FYI. The owners manual was useless. I had to bleed at the injectors and the manual nevere said anything about that.

Coyote machine · Oct 17, 2012

Likely you had to bleed at the injectors because you let air in by running the engine out of fuel which introduced air into the lines. For future reference when changing a fuel filter turn the petcock to off before removing the filter and then after replacing it fill the bowl with fuel and close the housing, then open the petcock and crank the engine, a couple of times for short periods until the fuel flows and the engine starts.
The air setting would be for what happened when you ran out of fuel- if there's a next time, hopefully not