Hey guys, I've been reading on this forum for months now. Bought an 06 CRD with 240,000km on it that runs like new and I'm loving it. Already replaced the hoses with Samco's, as one of mine ruptured, and did the EHM. ORM seems to cause mine to have tranny issues so I have kept away from that and am saving for the GDE tune.

Anyways... I just changed out the fuel filter and now the thing won't start up. I primed it with diesel - perhaps not enough? - before installing the new filter, then fired it up and it stalled as soon as the diesel ran dry. The thing is my primer button won't do anything. Never has, actually. When the hose blew my wife had been driving it, didn't really explain what it did other than a loss of power, so I immediately tried to bleed the air out but the primer won't get firm... even after pressing it 100 times!

This leads me to believe that I need to replace it with a 2nd gen fuel head. Weird thing is that I have never had any issues with air in the line. I did notice that the right side terminal on the head, when unplugged, has diesel in it.

I can't seem to find a definitive answer anywhere, was hoping someone else has had this!

Several thoughts:
1. I don't know how you primed the new filter but it sounds like you did so by filling it with diesel fuel. While that's not likely the cause of your problem please be aware that filling a new filter with fuel by pouring it into the center hole is a bad idea as that introduces totally unfiltered fuel into the system. I'm not saying you cannot do that rather that you should not do that unless you are absolutely positive the fuel you are using in clean.
2. is the new filter on tight. Two obvious possible problem points - a) WIF sensor on bottom not seated properly (reach down under the filter with a dry paper towel and check for leak and b) new filter screwed on with old filter's center rubber gasket still in place results in new filter not seating (remove and check).
3. a properly functioning primer button (assuming no major leaks at the fuel line quick disconnect fittings back toward the tank) should get hard within about 5-10 presses at most on an in service filter (when just bleeding air) and not too much more on a dry new filter. Proper bleeding procedure is to pump primer bulb (with the bleeder screw closed just like bleeding brakes); open bleeder screw to let air/fuel escape; close bleeder screw; repeat until no air comes out (see Sam's NOOB guide video). If your primer bulb won't build pressure then it's not pumping which can be bad primer bulb or serious air leak in line between tank and primer. I suspect the former not the latter in which case get new 2n gen filter head and wiring; install wiring; remove new dry filter from new filter head and set aside for future use; install unused but "wet" filter and WIF; mount unit; follow priming procedure; should solve problem.

Consider in tank fuel pump or Facet or some such in line fuel pump.

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Sold to LOST member my 05 Ltd, GDE Stg II turbo + TCM tune, SunCoast TC w. Transgo kit, Steiger window regulators, Samcos, Fumoto valve, 2nd gen filter head with Lub. Spec. bleeder, Hayden clutch & 11 blade fan, inverted spare, P-1 battery, BF Goodrich Long Trail TAs, Etecno1 glow plugs, timing belt at 50K miles/8 yrs

Thanks for the tips. I poured the diesel in through the smaller holes, so it would pass through the filter. Checked that the filter is on tight, and no leak from the WIF sensor. I remember the old center ring falling off as i removed the old filter, so I know that isn't the case either. It's certainly installed properly...

Really thinking it's just a bad bulb. I've never noticed anything leaking and as I said the bulb wasn't priming properly prior to fuel filter replacement. Just wanted to verify that this was the problem before ordering anything, and that it wasn't something more serious.

Thanks again!

You sure you have not bumped off some electrical connector while you were working in that area?

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2002 Export CRD 2.5 Sport

No matter how full you got the filter before you screwed it on, there was air left in it if you couldn't pump the primer pump. The proof was the 100 pumps and still not hard. I trust you loosened the bleeder to let the air out? And pumped again? Beyond that, it certainly is a good idea to replace the filter head with the second gen one.

Just a thought to get you out of trouble my friend - take it or leave it.
If you can't pressurise it in the "normal" way and you don't get a feel of pressure build -up there is something awry as has been stated. These are one of the easiest diesel I have had anything to do with in terms of fuel bleeding.

You could try bleeding as you would brakes if you are familiar with that:
I attempt to describe what I mean (probably badly) but here goes:
The locking I describe here is only a relatively light twitch on the spanner on the bleeder screw - nip up and release in this sequence:
Open the bleeder screw as you push the primer button to the bottom its downward stroke then close the nipple before the upward stroke - closing whilst it is at the bottom of its travel. The while closed, allow the plunger to return and repeat until you get no air.
In addition, have a clear plastic line in an upward sweep into a clear plastic container - repeat until there is no air in the plastic line.

It may get you running and it will tell you if the plunger actually has any displacement. For these vehicles is only a trouble-shooting procedure - your fuel head should build up pressure. Once bled - nip up as you would normally to exclude air.
It may get you running through taking out the back pressure from the system and allowing you to push air out. If there is no displacement at all from the piston then you need to look at a proper fix and who wants to go through this anyway.
If you can manage to position a catch can under the outlet you might be able to use your finger as the valve and replace the bleed nipple once finished. Clearly less tidy as you would only be able to judge by the amount of spitting it did. I prefer the method with the tubing. It is a very low pressure even when working in the order of 5 psi.

You will be sure if your primer is working this way.

Cheers.

I think you're making a mountain out of a mole hill.

Grandpa always said check the cheap stuff first. Think about it, you were messing around with wires, fuses, etc.

Are the wires correct? Have you checked all of your fuses and relays? Did you disconnect something else?

These fuel heads are KNOWN to go bad, replace it now or risk fire or worse later.

Before you start a lunar landing, you have to build a paper airplane.

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Silver 2006 KJ 2.8L CRD Limited:
GDE ECO Tune / Fumoto Valve / E-Tecno GX3123 7v Glow Plugs / 2nd Gen Fuel Head / Mishimoto RED Hoses / Rockers/Lifters @ 114k / Hayden FC + 11 Blade Nylon / Sears P1 Battery / Transgo 45RFE-HD2 Reprogramming Kit / Timken Front Bearings

Any luck with startup?