Simple question about 95 E350 Fuel Pump

[TMBigred92]

Hello!

I have a 95' E350 Shortbus that ive been slowly working on since late June trying to get started. After much exploratory searching and resolving the issue I'm at the last part of the job and have a simple question.

I need to prime the vehicle. I was told the electric pumps auto-prime (If you will). I thought I had an electric pump untill yesterday looking up the part I found they only offer Mech. pumps. Its my understanding the mechanical pumps have a primer button, arm, pump, etc. on them to manually prime the vehicle which I havent neccesarily searched for yet but when looking at the part at Rockauto.com I saw on the bottom of it what looks like the neccesary pump to prime it. The attached picture below is the part. I am posting here to have someone with expirience with this vehicle and its pump to verify this is the priming pump before I get very disapointed that it is not when I try to prime it.

If the part I described is the primer, is there a recomended way to access it or any hints or suggestions for me? I like to know all about what I need to do, rather than go in with little information. As any person working on their vehiclle would.

Cheers!

[blageurt]

You cannot prime the mechanical pump...you could fill the filterbowl with fuel but It is not necessary...just get in and crank it ...occaisionally push the tit on the shreader valve but thats it ...crank it untill it starts........

[TMBigred92]

So the part of the fuel filter that the arrow is pointing to does nothing to serve in this purpose? Also, if you could elaborate on the mechanics of the " crank the F*** out of it" method, would be much appreciated. As I said, it is useful to know how and why with these things.

[blageurt]

The part with the arrow is what contacts the camshaft INSIDE the engine.....thats it...make sure your batteries are fully charged....and don't cook the starter....

[TMBigred92]

Thanks for the information. Ill try my best.

[chuckster57]

In the IDI forum, our rule of thumb is run starter for 20 seconds, followed by 2 minute rest. Probably applies here too.

[TMBigred92]

That seems to be the popular consensus. I tried cranking it untill it started but the Driver side battery began dying. Otherwise, I cranked it for about 15-20 seconds and let it rest. Last thing I need is to ruin the starter.

[Super_Dave]

Is there a reason not to fill the bowl with fuel? Then she'll run, and the engine will power up the batteries, etc... With a full bowl, it should run for a bit.

[stever88]

You are just pumping air until the Fuel Bowl fills. Save the Starter and Batteries and fill the Bowl.