Can't get new fuel filter head to prime?

rhljeep · **Joined:** Thu Jun 01, 2006 4:34 pm **Posts:** 49

greetings all,

so, read up on all the posts i could to see how to correctly install new fuel filter head. all went well with pigtail swap and everything else. filled new filter with diesel kleen, hooked up fuel lines, but when i went to bleed air out of line, i can't get fuel - only limitless air!

when i prime, it seems like i can hear air, but can't tell for sure. one more caveat - the fuel line on the left side of filter, or towards passenger side seemed fused to the fitting, so rather than injure the hose there i didn't use fitting that came with it, but just tightened the old in.

any idea?

thanks so much.

racertracer · **Posted:** Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:19 am

Are you bleeding the fuel head correctly.

Here is the how to:
1. Bleeder valve closed, Pump the plunger until it becomes rock hard.
2. Open the bleeder valve and let the air out, then close the bleeder valve again.
3. repeat the above steps until all the air is out.

rhljeep · **Joined:** Thu Jun 01, 2006 4:34 pm **Posts:** 49

thank you for your response!

yes, this is exactly what i did, but it never got hard. i've changed two filters before on previous head, so am used to the routine, it's just that this one never accumulates pressure.

fuel line hose clamps are tight, but not too tight. filter itself is tight. it must be getting fresh air somewhere, but don't know where. one thing, as i mentioned, is that with previous head, i don't remember hearing any air noise as i was pumping, but it seemed like there was a faint trace with this one...

kjjet · **Posted:** Mon Feb 04, 2013 10:20 am

rhljeep wrote:

greetings all,

so, read up on all the posts i could to see how to correctly install new fuel filter head. all went well with pigtail swap and everything else. filled new filter with diesel kleen, hooked up fuel lines, but when i went to bleed air out of line, i can't get fuel - only limitless air!

when i prime, it seems like i can hear air, but can't tell for sure. one more caveat - the fuel line on the left side of filter, or towards passenger side seemed fused to the fitting, so rather than injure the hose there i didn't use fitting that came with it, but just tightened the old in.

any idea?

thanks so much.

Ok, You installed a new 2nd gen fuel head and new filter. Correct?
Be sure not to push the primer with the bleed open, that would bring air into the system.

You tried priming as racertracer stated?

1. Try the bleed procedure again 3 or 4 times. (you should get a clean flow of fuel from the bleed plug)
2. If you have a good flow of airless fluid form the bleed screw, Try to start the engine.
If it starts then stalls, perform bleed procedure again.

rhljeep · **Joined:** Thu Jun 01, 2006 4:34 pm **Posts:** 49

thanks again.

yes, 2nd gen head and new filter.

did just as the procedure was described - tightening bleeder valve when pumping, opened to release air, then retighen. repeated procedure 10 - 12 times to no avail. started engine until ran out of fuel. didn't help.

kjjet · **Posted:** Mon Feb 04, 2013 11:17 am

rhljeep wrote:

thanks again.

yes, 2nd gen head and new filter.

did just as the procedure was described - tightening bleeder valve when pumping, opened to release air, then retighen. repeated procedure 10 - 12 times to no avail. started engine until ran out of fuel. didn't help.

The fact that it did start is good. You can try bleeding and starting a few times.
Also you can get a 4 inch long clear hose, clamps and install it between the filter and pump to look for air. If you have air? You will need to check all your connections and filter for tightness and leaks. A tight system has no air.

Good luck

papaindigo · **Posted:** Mon Feb 04, 2013 1:32 pm

As I read your original post you installed the new head with pigtail and installed a filter filled with diesel kleen. So that filter you installed was it the new filter that came on the new filter head or was it another filter? If the latter I'd guess you left the "inner" filter gasket (the one on the threaded shaft) on and now have doubled up on gaskets which is a guaranteed air leak. Either way pull the filter and make sure both inner and outer gaskets are correctly seated and reinstall and try again.

rhljeep · **Joined:** Thu Jun 01, 2006 4:34 pm **Posts:** 49

thanks.

the new head unit came with a filter, so i don't think there is a double gasket issue.

i just took the head off, twisted filter off, re-filled with diesel kleen and put everything back together. the fuel in line might have needed to be tightened a bit.

so, now i can get fuel, and engine will start and run without shutting off, but still lots of air after priming, which doesn't improve after repeated primings. :cry:

sorry to prolong such a simple issue, but any more ideas?

kjjet · **Posted:** Mon Feb 04, 2013 2:25 pm

Yes.. make sure the filter gaskets are correct like papaindigo stated and retighten with a oil filter wrench. Bleed A few more times.

If it starts and runs, the air is gone. Take it out for a drive. Run it thru the gears a little harder than normal driving. If good? Your all done.

rhljeep · **Joined:** Thu Jun 01, 2006 4:34 pm **Posts:** 49

ok, patience won the day!

it seems there was a tiny air leak in the fuel in hose, just under the hose clamp (remember this was fused to the original fitting). so, just cut off an inch of the hose, pushed up, retightened, and job done. (just a few hours over, but surprisingly no obsenities

)

thanks again chaps!

papaindigo · **Posted:** Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:49 pm

Just to get it out there on hoses "fused" to the pipe. This is not a new problem as it occurs with any "rubber" hose clamped to a metal fitting. Generally the solution is to remove the clamp; grab the hose gently with pliers and twist left/right to break the grip; then push (don't pull) the hose off the fitting with like the flat side of a screwdriver or edge of the pliers as pulling the hose just makes it grip tighter. Sometimes application of a bit of lube (spray silicone or oil) pushed under the outer edge of the hose helps break things loose.

flman · **Posted:** Mon Feb 04, 2013 7:06 pm

I once had a hard time bleeding the Sport right after I changed the engine mounts, must have pulled on a hose when I jacked the engine? So I took the shop vac, shoved the outlet side into the filler spout, open the bleeder, watched the fuel run out till clear, closed it. Put the vac away and started the Jeep no problem. :mrgreen:

Can't get new fuel filter head to prime?

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