Tool to bleed TDV6 fuel line

[TDV6]

I have just replaced the fuel filter on my TDV6 and had to bleed the air from the schrader valve, sited on top of the motor and also tucked under the firewall. It's in an awkward position where I was having trouble undoing the valve cap without dropping it.

There was a lightbulb moment as I tried to release the trapped air without doing any good, I taped a very small zip tie to my finger then pressed on top of the schrader valve until there were no more bubbles just fuel and job done.

HTH,

Ryall

[TerryO]

Or you could just use one of those cheap valve stem tools that you can shove in the end of the valve to bleed the line.

Plus you can use it to replace leaky tyre valves if one of yours starts leaking. ...;)

[Rich84]

Has anyone tried filling the filter with diesel first? My mate who runs a small fleet of New Holland tractors with Fiat common rail diesels in them does this and swears he's never had to bleed the line.

[murray073]

I've never had to bleed the line. All I do is cycle the ignition on until the fuel pump stops , do this 3 times, then start the engine. Never had a problem. Stars first time every time. Cheers, Murray

[TDV6]

Yes Terry previously tried using the correct tool, my fat clumsy fingers kept dropping it, lucky I had a rag under it to soak up the fuel spill.

Rich your idea of pre-filling the filter is something I will try next time as well as having the zip tie ready.

Murray, I tried cranking the motor first as the previous time it didn't need to be bled but I thought I had cranked it for far too long this time without success so then I looked for an easier way to bleed it rather than using the correct valve tool.

:) Ryall :)

[Ean Austral]

Has anyone tried filling the filter with diesel first? My mate who runs a small fleet of New Holland tractors with Fiat common rail diesels in them does this and swears he's never had to bleed the line.

I always fill the filter with deisel first, always have. fill a clean glass jar with some fuel, this way you can see if its dirty or contaminated, fill the filter, screw it on and bobs ya fathers brother.

Cheers Ean

[jonesy63]

Ryall - Murray didn't say cranking the motor... he said cycling the ignition. That is, turn the ignition to "on" (not start), then "off". The low pressure pump in the tank then pushes the air through the fuel system and back to the return line to the tank.

[murray073]

Beat me to it Jonesy63, Sorry for the confusion, Cheers

[jonesy63]

Just a warning to anyone - don't try to start your D3/D4/RRS diesel with air in the fuel line... it doesn't take very long for those high pressure injectors running without fuel (to lubricate and cool them), before they hammer themselves to pieces! :o