Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Problems with primer on top of fuel filter??

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Greenville, SC
    Posts
    2

    Default Problems with primer on top of fuel filter??

    Has anyone heard of any problems with the manual pump on top of the assemble that the fuel filter screws onto not working to prime the system? I have an '02 Duramax with 150Kish miles and this winter I've had the thing not start 3-4 times. Each time I've gotten out, pumped that manual pump until tight and then it started right back up and hasn't been a problem until sporadically appearing again. Then this past Fri. this happened again, but I could never get the system to prime how it has in the past, and thus, I couldn't get it to crank. I live in SC so real COLD is not a problem. But coincidentally when this has happened, every time but 1, it was in the 20s and once in the teens. One other time it was 35. Do I need the block heater below 32? Is that causing the thing to not crand and/or lose prime? Doesn't seem right?? I recently had the fuel filter changed and noticed this filter was not even hand tight where it screws into this assembly I'm referring to with the pump on the top. Could this have let air in the system and the pump just doesn't work anymore? I took it back and they put another filter on it, but still couldn't get it to prime. It has been last spring since I had the fuel filter changed before and this problem showed up a few times before this last filter change. Anyone heard of cold causing this type problem, or Chevy having a problem with that manual pump going bad. Guy that got it running again said he had to disconnect air intake and hit with a little ether to get it to crank. Drove it. Sat over 2 hours then it fired right back up again. I've also changed the fuel filter myself before and I almost never got it primed back after that to crank. Took 20 minutes of pumping that manual pump with no resistance, and then it finally got resistance and then cranked. I'm scratching my head here. Hate to go back to the dealer and their labor rates without some insight. Anybody seen this or can help out. Tks.
    \"We say grace and we say Maam, if you ain\'t into that we don\'t give a damn.\" HW Jr.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2001
    Location
    New Hampshire - Live Free or Die
    Posts
    6,057

    Default

    First, don't let anyone spray ether in there! Glow plugs and ether just don't mix.

    Second, yes, a loose filter will allow air in and the pump will not work. (Air pumps easier than fuel.) I'm assuming you are opening the bleed screw on the top of the filter housing, right? That makes it much easier to expel the air.

    Bottom line is you seem to have an air leak somewhere on the suction side.

    And no, you don't need the block heater.
    The Constitution needs to be re-read, not re-written!

    If you can't handle Dr. Seuss, how will you handle real life?

    Current oil burners: MB GLK250 BlueTEC, John Deere X758
    New ride: MB GLS450 - most stately
    Gone but not forgotten: '87 F350 7.3, '93 C2500 6.5, '95 K2500 6.5, '06 K2500HD 6.6, '90 MB 350SDL, Kubota 7510

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    East Moline, Illinois
    Posts
    3

    Default

    May be a problem with the fuel filter housing. These are known to crack and leak air. May want to try replacing the housing.
    2006 Silverado 2500HD 6.6 Duramax LBZ

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Greenville, SC
    Posts
    2

    Default

    Tks. guys. Yes I have been using the bleeder screw on top but after 20 minutes of pumping the thing the other day, and the fact this problem continues to come up, I figured that housing may have a problem.
    \"We say grace and we say Maam, if you ain\'t into that we don\'t give a damn.\" HW Jr.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2000
    Location
    Loyal WI US
    Posts
    10,792

    Default

    One of the best things that you can do for ANY Duramax is add a lift pump. This will also likely cure yor problem or at least force a leak where the air is getting in.

    Kennedy Diesel-owner
    More than just a salesman-I use and test the products that I sell on a daily basis!
    Superflow Lie Detector in house
    2002 Chev K2500HD D/A CC Long LT 11.77@ 124mph at 7700# fuel only-e.t. needs help
    2005 Chev K3500SRW D/A CC Long LT(SOLD)
    2007 Chev K2500 Classic EC Short LT (Sold)
    2012 GMC K3500SRW D/A CC Long LTZ Happy Birthday to me! Built 1 working day after my birthday and delivered 7 days later.
    2016 GMC K3500SRW D/A CC short LTZ

    Custom tuning in house using EFI Live tuning software!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    US
    Posts
    58

    Default check bleed screw, too

    I've heard that the bleed screw (plastic!) can crack and leak air, too. You may wanna check that, too.
    ------------------------------------------------------

    Courtesy is free, Respect must be earned.

    ------------------------------------------------------
    2003 GMC CCSB D/A. Stock except for GY LT285/75R16 MTR tires
    Frequently seen tandem-towing a Keystone Laredo 30BH and a 'custom' dirt-bike trailer full of Honda bikes for the family in and around Michigan.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Southern Indiana
    Posts
    1,177

    Default

    make sure the three screws that hold the priming pump to the housing are tight. seen a few of them back out and cause problems.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2000
    Location
    Loyal WI US
    Posts
    10,792

    Default

    One thing to remember is that teh OE bleeder while it is a cheap lightweight piece of plastic is really not that bad. The only tool that should touch it though (except in emergency) is a 1/2" nut driver to break free the first time. From there I only use my fingers. You will find that the bleeder does not allow fuel/air to pass until backed out a fair bit. That is because it seals to an oring making seating pressure non critical.
    Kennedy Diesel-owner
    More than just a salesman-I use and test the products that I sell on a daily basis!
    Superflow Lie Detector in house
    2002 Chev K2500HD D/A CC Long LT 11.77@ 124mph at 7700# fuel only-e.t. needs help
    2005 Chev K3500SRW D/A CC Long LT(SOLD)
    2007 Chev K2500 Classic EC Short LT (Sold)
    2012 GMC K3500SRW D/A CC Long LTZ Happy Birthday to me! Built 1 working day after my birthday and delivered 7 days later.
    2016 GMC K3500SRW D/A CC short LTZ

    Custom tuning in house using EFI Live tuning software!

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Tucson
    Posts
    4

    Default

    I have a 06 and when I first start it up it will run for about 1 min then stall, out of fuel.
    prime the pump with plunger, fuel leaks out from underside of plunger, i removed the 3 screws and cleaned all of the seal and I have put it all back together, does not seem to be leaking now, we shall see !!!!!!

    the dealer wants 136 dollars for a replacement housing.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •