Mk1 diesel pump priming

[audi90sportQ]

Got the new motor in and all she does is crank! Loosened the injector unions and cranked, but I still get alot of air in the lines between the injectors and the line from the filter to the pump! Should I just yank it around the block till she goes?

[sprstu]

You can remove the fuel in line and pour fuel in until the pump is full. Also make sure your fuel filter is full as well. As long as your pump isnt FUBAR it should self bleed. Leave one injector, either #1 or #4, open just slightly loose, you should get fuel really quick assuming your pump is drawing fine.

[Digital K]

has it been non-running a long time? I usually put ATF in a dry/empty pump.

[audi90sportQ]

I can only crank it about 30 seconds total before my battery goes pretty weak, so I think if I cracked a line and drug it around the block, tighten the line and just keep pullin it she should go?!

[audi90sportQ]

Umm I think it has not ran since winter?

[Digital K]

stu told you what to do. :) he's got it down. I usually fill up the pump w/ ATF though if its been empty awhile. seals like it.

[audi90sportQ]

Just got off work and was kinda ticked she wouldnt fire, as i would like to drive my truck to SOWO! Sooo I jumped the glow plugs for like 45 seconds, and I got a POP! Shit, jump again for 45 seconds, I get a stumble! Double shit! Re jump again, and BBBOOOYAAA, PURS LIKE A KITTEN. Eurowerks rules.

[sprstu]

Good to hear its running

[audi90sportQ]

Thank you! I buttoned up the down pipe, 2in exhaust clamp works perfect for spreading them open, filled the coolant and burped, new V-belt, and boom i was driving around the block! Runs really well! Clutch releases a bit late but I can adjust that, getting bubbles in the feed line from the filter when its running, I assume its time for a new filter. Possibly taking er on a 6 hour trip this friday!!

[somepunk22]

Good to hear. She cranked right over no problem in a few week ago. A vacuum on the pump return line has always worked good for me.

[fatmobile]

Right, it pulls fuel through the filter and fills the pump. I took a spare vaccum pump and turn it by hand to pull fuel through the system. Primative but effective.
There are 2 sections to the pump; one fills the pump body. This will happen as long as the pump is turning; drawing from the tank and sending it back. Always make sure this part is working first, using clear fuel lines to and from the pump. You don't even need power to the pump for this part.

Once the first stage is working; putting your foot to the floor and cranking it will usually get it started.
Very little fuel is pushed through the metal injector lines at idle, flooring it will fill the lines faster.
Opening the injector lines doesn't do any good, air will be pushed out. If you are getting fuel you should know, see some smoke out the tail pipe,..
or filling the whole engine bay if you didn't have the exhaust clamped on, ha. First start can be a very smoky experience.

Air bubbles in the fuel line coming from the filter, that increase with RPM, is usually a fuel filter or fuel system clog. NAPA filter sale is your friend.
I concider a dash-mounted vacuum gauge (connected to the fuel line) to be manditory.
It'll save you some day,..
from a clogged tank vent,... ever seen a collapsed Rabbit fuel tank? Looks alittle like someone stuck a jack under it, ha.
Lots of stories of people stuck by the side of the road with a clogged filter, the gauge will let you know way before there is a problem.
Winter time, are you gellin?

Glad to hear it's running well,.. time for some hillbilly tuning.