how much priming for fuel filter?

[Snyder-00]

I replaced my fuel filter the other day and was wondering what is normal for priming the thing to get it running again! I sat there for 5 or 10 minutes turning the key on, bumping the starter, key again, bumping the starter, by the time I got it running, I was mad as hell and concerned at the same time. My buddy swears his only takes 2 or 3 cycles for his to fire up. Do I have a problem or am I just worried for nothing. Any help is appreciated!

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1999 Cummins powered quad cab Ram, black sport,4x4,4. 10. s,5-speed,everything but leather,stock and staying that way!

 

[LSMITH]

Snyder, I cycle the lift pump three times, and three only because one more than I need makes me feel better. Are you loosening the plug closest to the center of the filter housing? If you are loosening the right plug and it still takes more than three cycles to get it running I would be concerned too. You could have a weak lift pump, which would't surprise anyone on a '99.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S Everything but leather NRA Member

 

[Chad Sheets]

Get a fuel psi gage. Your lift pump might be going south on you. Mine use to re-prime itself within seconds, now it takes minutes, and the lift pump has moments of weekness going down the road. Its getting replaced asap. It has yet to completely fail on me yet, but the drops to 2 psi at 65 mph has got to stop.

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Always ready to help!
2000 2500 Red Sport quad cab, 4x4, K&N, DDI's, straight piped, boost, pyro and fuel pressure gages, Hot Power Edge, EZ box, mean looking set of 33. 5" tires, Snap On diamond tool box, Marine Corps window sticker, Semper Fi!

1972 340 Cuda'. Original tripple Black, 340 car w/air. Good clean car, super stock springs, Weld Prostars, shaker hood, strong 340 with a 727/4000 stahl, 4. 56... . Bombs away!
NRA Life Member
My Diesel Page

 

[Snyder-00]

I didn't loosen any plugs, I just put every thing back together and hit the key. Are you suppose to loosen the plug or fill the canister with diesel? Thanks for any help

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1999 Cummins powered quad cab Ram, black sport,4x4,4. 10. s,5-speed,everything but leather,stock and staying that way!

 

[Snyder-00]

Also, the lift pump is a warrenty item isn't it??

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1999 Cummins powered quad cab Ram, black sport,4x4,4. 10. s,5-speed,everything but leather,stock and staying that way!

 

[LSMITH]

Snyder, go to www.ecpe.vt.edu/~dfritz/technical/DIESEL/FILTER/99fuel_filter.htm . That is the procedure I use. I do not disconnect the water sensor, I am careful to not let it hang by the wires or pull on the wires. Takes less than 10 minutes after the first time. I have had no problems.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S Everything but leather NRA Member

[This message has been edited by LSMITH (edited 02-06-2001). ]

 

[Dane]

I can tell you how NOT to do it #ad


1) change filter after draining canister.
2) Leave top lightly screwed on and bump starter to cause 20 second lift pump cycle.
3)Run like hell back to the cab to shut off pump as fuel comes gushing out the loose cap with 10 seconds left in the cycle #ad


Ahh, the sweet lessons of life as a rookie diesel owner #ad
#ad
#ad


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2001 HO 6 speed Regular Cab SLT 4x4 3. 54 anti spin 2500. Used for the daily grind and sneaking away to some secret Baja beaches toting a cabover

 

[dmurdock]

Snyder, my 98. 5 did the same thing. You have to realize that you've drained all that fuel, replaced a soaking wet filter with a dry one, then re-sealed the system. All the air in the filter housing has to go somewhere, and without bleeding the system it will need to make it's way through the injector pump. I never tried it, but the idea above of loosening the fitting to allow bleeding of the canister sounds like a good idea. Yes, the first time can be quite discomforting when your truck doesn't start immediately as your used too...

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'01 Eth 3500 4x4, Amsoil air filter, AutoMeter boost & egt on pillar mount. See My Truck and also be sure to read What tools & methods to use for an easy 1st oil change!!!
"Be happy you don't get all the government you pay for. " -W. C. Fields

 

[John Berger]

I had the same problem on my last fuel filter change. Took an hour and a half to get it started. I'm going to try loosening the outlet test port next time. I'm planning on installing the fuel pressure gauge setup that Steve St. Laurent has. After this last time around and with the lift pump problems that have been reported, peace of mind is worth a little expense.



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1999 Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab 5 spd; 4:10 LSD rear; Mag-Hytec diff. cover; US Gear EGT and Boost gauges. Amsoil foam air filter and synthetics from nose to tail.
Cummins Power, don't leave home without it

 

[tlippy]

Took me 10 bumps of the starter. BUT the next time, I'm going to bump till it don't bump no more and THEN hit it for real. My problem was that I only bumped it three times and then tried to start. It used up the tiny bit of fuel left in the line - an then there was none.


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99' Quad 4x4 A/T LB 3. 54 30K Miles.
26' Terry w/slide 7500GVWR
"KISS your truck and it will be forever faithful"

 

[Homicide]

Sorry if I'm a little late on this thread, but I only bump the switch once, and my 99 ISB fires right up, with only one slight "burp" in 3 fuel filter changes.

My procedure for the 2 cents that its worth are:

1) Drain Canister
2) Disconnect water sensor gently
3) Remove and replace fuel filter and o-rings
4) Fill canister to about 3/4 of the way with Fresh diesel (the more fuel to the top, the less burp; but more fuel in canister, the more likely to spill some fuel.
5) Tighten canister and re-attach water sensor.
6) Bump ignition switch to prime (I don't loosen anything)
7) Fires right up!

 

[TowPro]

:Looking at your list of "things you do when you change your filter" I see you missed one step. They recomend wiping off the water sensor. I saw this on Fritz site as a TSB.

Originally posted by homicide:
Sorry if I'm a little late on this thread, but I only bump the switch once, and my 99 ISB fires right up, with only one slight "burp" in 3 fuel filter changes.

My procedure for the 2 cents that its worth are:

1) Drain Canister
2) Disconnect water sensor gently
3) Remove and replace fuel filter and o-rings
4) Fill canister to about 3/4 of the way with Fresh diesel (the more fuel to the top, the less burp; but more fuel in canister, the more likely to spill some fuel.
5) Tighten canister and re-attach water sensor.
6) Bump ignition switch to prime (I don't loosen anything)
7) Fires right up!

 

[LSMITH]

I do not fill the canister with fuel before putting it back on. You are running unfiltered fuel through the injection pump if you do. Granted, it is not much, but I still don't like the idea. Loosen the test port, bump twice, let it sit for a minute to soak the element and get the air to the top, bump again and tighten the test port while fuel is coming out. You will be able to start with no problems, mine has only stumbled once out of five times, and has never died.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S SPA Boost/EGT Everything but leather NRA Member

 

[Big-D]

LSmith, I like your idea and will give it a go next time for I feel unfiltered fuel is not a good thing to do.
Dave