bleeding fuel system

[wally]

I'm trying to bleed the fuel system on my mate's diesel IIa. I can get fuel to the injector pump but I can't get any fuel to the injectors. Any ideas why? I've bled plenty of diesels before. This one has me a bit stumped.

[isuzurover]

So you have bled BOTH of the small bolts on the IP???

Using the hand primer?

Afer making sure there is no air left in the IP, I just loosen all the injector lines (on the injectors), and crank the engine over until fuel is spurting out all 4.

Then tighten them back up and it should start fine.

[Aaron IIA]

As mentioned above. You must bleed both of the bleed points on the injector pump. Turn it over with the injector lines loose, and fuel will shortly come out. Tighnen them up, and you're ready to go. Does your fuel filter have an air bleed as originally specified? Is your fuel filter under pressure or vacuum? It is meant to be pressure.
Aaron.

[wally]

As mentioned above. You must bleed both of the bleed points on the injector pump. Turn it over with the injector lines loose, and fuel will shortly come out. Tighnen them up, and you're ready to go. Does your fuel filter have an air bleed as originally specified? Is your fuel filter under pressure or vacuum? It is meant to be pressure.
Aaron.

Thanks for those replies. I've learnt something. I didn't know about the two little bleed screws. Yes the fuel filter has an air bleeed. I bled it there first. The fuel filter would be under pressure. I 'll have it going now just as soon as I charge the battery!!!

[isuzurover]

Does your fuel filter have an air bleed as originally specified? Is your fuel filter under pressure or vacuum? It is meant to be pressure.
Aaron.

???? Fuel filters work fine either side of the lift pump. I installed a 2nd filter (CAV filter + sedimenter) down on the chassis rail on mine before I did the Bris-Perth trip.

[Aaron IIA]

Yes, the fuel filter will work on both sides of the lift pump. If you place it on the vacuum side and have a small leak, it will suck air and cause problems. If you place it on the pressure side and have a small leak, you will see it by the diesel that is leaked out.

The manual specifies that you remove the bleed point from the top of the first filter (after the lift pump) and install a banjo to send the fuel back to the tank. This line then splices with the spillway and goes back to the tank. Where you fit the banjo to the top of the filter housing, you fit a check valve to stop fuel or air coming back into the filter at this point. You also must use a special banjo bolt, which has an internal diameter of about 0.5mm. This is vital, as it maintains pressure in the system to get fuel to the lift pump. By having the return to the tank originating from the top of the filter housing, any small amounts of air that may enter the system are sent back to the tank.

The injector pump returns to the fuel filter.

Aaron.