won't start

[jhughes0]

I took the fuel tanks and lines off of the truck to clean and restore the frame. After putting everything back together, and before trying to start the engine, I used a hand opperated vacumn pump to draw fuel up to the filter head. I started the engine, it ran for a few seconds and died. I can not get it to start again. I am shure the problem is air in the injector system but I don't no where to start to purge the air out. Could someone please tell me what the procedure is for this. I am an experienced mechanic but new to diesels. Don't know what to do or what not to do here.
88 f-250 7.3 turbo dual tanks.

[chuckster57]

Take the filter off and fill it as full as you can get it with fresh fuel or an additive. Then crack any steel line at any injector. Run the starter for 20 seconds at a time with 2 minute rests between. As soon as you see fuel bubbles at the injector, tighten that one and move to another. It's gonna take quite a while to get all the air out.


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[NH2112]

I've had luck loosening 3 or 4 injector lines at once and cranking with a remote start switch. The air will bleed out of the loose lines, and once enough of it is out the engine will start & run roughly on 4 or 5 cylinders. Tighten up the remaining injector lines, allow it to run a few more minutes to smooth out completely, and you should be good.

Plug in the block heater first to help with starting.

[jhughes0]

Thanks. . Should I disable the glow plugs circuit while I'm trying to crank the air out. seems like a lot of stress on the glow plugs to keep cycling.

[chuckster57]

You don't need to. Once enough fuel is reaching a couple of cylinders, having the GP's working will help. It may stumble but it will be spinning at a higher rpm, creating better pressure to expel air.