First off I would look at the leak problem, not know where you are from here in IL we have had to replace the fuel line on 2 of our service trucks they rusted out at the tank and the truck where hard to start sucking air into the lines. to replace the lines you can drop the tank, or pull the bed off to get to the lines not possible if suburban.
now that you have the fuel line problem fixed check to see if you have power to the lift pump with key on if you have power also make sure the ground wire is good. if these are both ok them you will need to replace the lift pump
yes a defective lift pump can cause enigine to preform poorly if there was a pin hole in the line and you where sucking air into the system it will also cause engine to run poorly
yes the injection pump will draw fuel (not very well ) as long as the fuel system is not opened up or has any leaks
performance will not be like it should be
I have manualy primed fuel system before by applying air pressure to the tank with the bleed valve open on the top of the filter when fuel starts coming out the top of the filter shut the valve this will work
I DON'T RECOMMEND THIS MEATHOD CAN BE DANGERIOUS YOU CAN DO HARM TO THE TRUCK OR WORSE BLOW YOUSELF UP
fix the primer pump and be on safe side if you can not the primer to work search here for primer pump trouble shooting
good luck
2003 CHEVY 4500 DURAMAX/ALLISON 14'
SERVICE CRANE BODY 16,500 LBS 14.5 MPG
1998 K3500 SRW CREW CAB TRANSPLANTED 6.5TD ELECTROINC INTO, HEATH COMPUTER, 40+HP INJECTORS, 4" EXHAUST, VACUUM ELEMTINATOR ON TURBO,UPGRADED COOLING WITH ALL GM PARTS,NO VACUUM PUMP, SST OIL COOLER LINES MADE LOCALY FRACTION OF THE COST, 3" TOURBO/BOOST GAUSGE ALL IN ONE, ADDED GEAR DRIVE GREAT HELP WITH STARTING TIME DOESN'T JUMP AROUND ANY MORE, INTERCOOLER 3" INLET AND OUTLET COOLER 12x24x4, ALSO ADDED MANDEL BENT CROSS OVER, HAD TRUCK REPAINTED AND OPUT ON ALUM FLAT BED