HELP, fuel problem?

OK.
Going on a roadtrip tomorrow and guess what?
Shes done it again, starving herself of fuel!!!

I have a feeling it may be my fault, keep in mind that I have changed all the fuel lines and she has run fine for over 800 miles.

Sunday I changed her oil and all the filters including the fuel filter.

When I change the fuel filter I always fill it with diesel then install it. Is it possible that I have air in the line?

Here is whats happening this time.

Usually when I start her she fires right up instantly, no hesitation.
Now when I turn the key I get a rattly sound (from the starter I think) and she slowly/roughly starts after she rolls over a few times. Once she gets started and idles then she seems to run fine
But I am not sure.

The trip tomorrow is at least 600miles (7 days) and I really don't want to spend it looking for mechanics.
Thinking I may have to cancel.
But, is there any way to tell if I have air in the fuel line> If I did not quite fill the fuel filter would this be enough to do it.

I have already changed the lift pump 3 time, surely it cannot be that again?

Help!

Did you bleed the fuel system after changing the fuel filter?

This may be of help (maybe not)

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f41/fuel-filter-renewal-134366.html

Any smoke? Are you using a cold start procedure?
It would help if we knew what engine you run plus any mods to that engine.

300tdi no mods.

I did not bleed the system.

However, I was almost empty of fuel when it happened, as empty as its ever been.

Anyway, my mechanic came by and we took the bleed screw off and pumped the lift pump till the air was gone and she started right up.
So now that I have seen him do it I am not too worried, if it happens again I just need a 10mm wrench and get it done.

So vacation /road trip still on.

Thanks,

natas said:

300tdi no mods.

I did not bleed the system.

However, I was almost empty of fuel when it happened, as empty as its ever been.

Anyway, my mechanic came by and we took the bleed screw off and pumped the lift pump till the air was gone and she started right up.
So now that I have seen him do it I am not too worried, if it happens again I just need a 10mm wrench and get it done.

So vacation /road trip still on.

Thanks,

Click to expand...

Good stuff , always a scary biscuit when this happens before a road trip, my last drive to Greece started badly with a turbo failure two days before we were set to leave, it's amazing how you can get stuff sorted when the pressure is on.

listen for where the rattle is, my 300 rattles when it got air in the lines as it self bleeds, if the filter on properly, not pinched the seal, and what do the leakoffs look like?

300 should autobleed itself so thats not an issue, lift pump could be on the way out and not providing enough pressure, could be blocked in tank pickup too or sedimentor if yours has one