All,

So I'm replacing my fuel filter for the first time and I followed the procedure in the FAQ post. I removed the old filter just fine and installed the new one. Now I'm trying to bleed the system and it doesn't seem like the priming pump is working. I pumped for about 2 minutes, cracked the bleed valve and nothing happened. So I thought that maybe it works like bleeding brakes. I opened the bleed screw, pushed in on the pump and heard a woosh of air out the bleed screw. I then closed the screw and let go of the pump handle to what I hoped would suck fuel in. I did this at least 100 times and there's still no fuel.

Thinking it was just taking a long time to fill the filter I pulled the filter off again, filled it with fresh diesel, and reinstalled it. Same result.

Is my pump malfunctioning? Can I just start it and hope the fuel pump will push fuel in? Should I put a vacuum brake bleeder on the bleed screw and try to suck fuel in?

Help!

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Chris
Current:
2007 Steel Blue Metallic Grand Cherokee CRD Limited
GDE Eco Tune and DPF delete
CB Engineering DPF delete pipe
EHM

Past (sold to Mountainman):
2005 Patriot Blue Liberty CRD Limited

Make sure the filter is full of fuel let it soak in a little replace on the head unit do not over tighten then I put a clear hose on the bleeder screw and put the end of the hose into a small clear bottle of some kind just to see when the fuel comes out and then I pump the primer pump a few times and then fuel should start to flow out of the bleeder valve and into the bottle I do open the bleeder valve about three quarters of a turn to really let the fuel flow well until it fills up the bottom of my clear bottle so then I know I am pushing out all remaining air in the filter and not sucking any air back into the filter I do the same thing when I bleed brakes. I hope you get it worked out. Have you run the jeep any since replacing the filter?

Well, by following the procedure in the manual we were able to get the Jeep to run. Owner's manual procedure is: pump 20 times, crank motor for 10 seconds, crank 20 times, crank engine for 10 seconds. It's running fine after that but we NEVER got any air out the bleeder valve.

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Chris
Current:
2007 Steel Blue Metallic Grand Cherokee CRD Limited
GDE Eco Tune and DPF delete
CB Engineering DPF delete pipe
EHM

Past (sold to Mountainman):
2005 Patriot Blue Liberty CRD Limited

Did you get any fuel out of the bleeder? If not it was not opened far enough. It's not like a brake bleeder where just cracking it allows fluid out. It needs opened a turn or so The [b]"crank for ten seconds" [/b] utalized the bleeding function built into the CP3 pump

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Atlantic Blue 06 CRD Limited (his)
Joined by a 2000 XJ Classic (hers)

Short answer is yes, the primer pump was malfunctioning. I've had a similar occurrence a few months ago. Ended up with a couple of tanks of cruddy fuel from one service station that was loaded with rust and dirt. Besides clogging up the fuel filters, it also clogged up the primer pump so that it's internal check valve wouldn't seal and couldn't pull a suction. By using a vacuum pump on the bleed screw to suck some fuel up into the filter and primer pump, then working the pump for a few strokes (I had to repeat this 3 or 4 times), I was able to flush enough of this crud out of the pump for it to start working again.

Even with the bleed screw wide open, you should be getting some fuel out of the bleed screw within just a few strokes IF the primer pump is operating correctly. No need to do any of the "brake bleed" routine stuff, the check valve inside the primer pump will keep it from draining back down to the tank.

Quick check you can do BEFORE removing the old filter - give the primer pump several strokes with the bleed screw closed - if you don't feel it taking a significant amount of increased force to operate the pump (ie, an increase in pressure) after 5 to 10 stokes, something's not right.

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Mitchell Oates
'87 MB 300D Diamond Blue Metallic
'87 MB 300D - R.I.P. 12/08
'05 Sport CRD Stone White
Provent CCV Filter/AT2525 Muffler
Stanadyne 30 u/Cat 2 u Fuel Filters
Fumoto Drain/Fleetguard LF3487 Oil filter
V6 Airbox/Amsoil EAA Air Filter
Suncoast TC/Shift Kit/Aux Cooler
Kennedy Lift Pump/Return Fuel Cooler

When I replaced my fuel filter for the first time, I took the lazy route. I did not pre-fill the filter, so it was full of air upon installation. I could pump the primer plunger a dozen times without any resistance, which makes sense because such a large volume of air is much more compressible. Cracking the bleed screw released a bunch of air. I kept repeating the process, plunging a dozen or so times then releasing the air. Eventually I got fuel, closed the bleeder, turned the key, and it started right up.

Prefilling the filter decreases the amount of manual bleeding needed, but is not strictly required.

- Chris

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Used to own:
2006 CRD Sport
Suncoast TC, Transgo shift kit, Inmotion, ORM, EHM, Magnaflow SS exhaust, Fumoto valve, EVIC added, Hensley TruControl brake controller, Pirelli Scorpion ATR LR-D in spring/summer/fall, FIA winter front and Blizzaks in winter

You should not prefill a fuel filter on todays higher pressure diesel fuel system. Prefilling allows dirt to be on the clean side of the filter to which one speck of dirt can ruin a injector. Large amount of dirt can cause damage to the CP3 pump also. Always use the primer pump to bleed the fuel from the dirty side of the filter.

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2006 Black Jeep Liberty CRD Limited
K&N, Samco Hoses, Michelin 245/70-16 LTX A/T2, Fumoto F-102, V-Force Muffler, Mopar, Hitch, Trailer Wiring, Skid Plates, Slush Mats, Rear Shelf, Predator Stage 1, Transgo, ORM & CodeReader, Facet 40109 Pump
"IT'S A DIESEL THING, YOU WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND"
Certified Services Auto & Truck Repair

when I replaced mine, the bleeder screw cracked something and it wouldn't hold. I don't think I over tightened it....

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Ryan
2006 Ford F-250 PSD CC FX4
**GONE**
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD
SAMCO Hoses//GDE Tune//PML Trans Pan//TransGo HD Shift Kit//MBRP Exhaust

1986 2R Mustang SVO

If you prime your filter by adding the diesel/Powerservice/whatever through a small funnel/tube into the small holes around the perimiter of the filter (rather than the big one in the middle), you can avoid the problem of putting unfiltered fuel straight into the fuel rail. Those small holes are where raw fuel from the tank enters the filter.

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2006 Liberty CRD Limited
Mopar engine, transmission, transfer case skids
245/70/16 Michelin Latitude X-Ice (winter)
235/75/16 Firestone Destination ATs (summer)
Thule roof rack, cargo box
V6 airbox mod
Flowmaster 50 2.5 inch muffler
Edge EZ module (set for fuel economy)
SEGR
TDIWagonGuy CCV filter
B99 (summer), B20 (winter)

I prefill my fuel filter with ATF-4 ( good cleaning of the injectors) into the small holes on the filter it takes some time but I have never had to use the bleeder screw. I starts up immediately and no issues. Good luck

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2005 CRD Sport 4x4
EHM,ORM,Straight pipe exhaust,Facet 40109 lift pump