diesel fuel filter bleed valve

[lefty67]

1.9td aaz
Came to do a service on my van yesterday and after starting it to move it onto flatter ground it cut out. Knew it was fuel related and have hopefully narrowed it down to the bleed valve on the filter.
Hoping someone can confirm this.
My setup has a manual balloon pump/pprimer on the return line from the pump to the bleed valve which also has the fuel line from the nearside of the diesel tank going into it. When i pump it just seems to be sucking air rather than fuel along the line from the filter to the pump. I have removed the nearside pipe from the tank and there is a healthy flow of fuel and have removed the pipe from the offside but no fuel comes from the tank only drains from the pipe, I presume this is ok.
I have changed the filter but have had to order the valve separately. All the fuel lines are new and so are the bleed off lines on the injectors, which are dry so no sign of leaks there.
Edited

[Oldiebut goodie]

The problem is that you have a petrol tank - you should be running it on diesel! And why have you got a carb on a diesel engine. Something amiss here methinks.

[lefty67]

Sorry OBG. Shouldn't have said carb, should be fuel/injector pump.
Not had any problems, 6000 miles, until yesterday. Since I've had the van there has always been a bit of air in the fuel lines after standing but hasn't effected start up or running and disappears after a few seconds.
Definitely diesel and about half a tank, used the other half at the weekend.

[Oldiebut goodie]

I don't know why you have a primer in the return - they are usually used in the feed line, best before any joins like filter, pump etc.. You shouldn't need a primer though. You have an air leak on the suction side somewhere if the fuel drains back to the tank. Did you use hose that was tight on the spigot before tightening the clips and are the clips proper hose clips and not jubilee clips as jubilee clips can distort the hose leading to an incomplete seal? It may be the pump itself of course.

[lefty67]

Cheers OBG. All the hoses were done before I got the van and are new however they are jubilee clipped to the filter but the feed and return to the pump have clear plastic pipe inserted in them and are attached directly to the pump without clips. The primer is clipped using proper hose clips.
I am assuming for the moment the pump is ok as I thought priming it with the engine off would still pump fuel around.
If there is a leak on the suction side could the bleed valve be involved?

[Oldiebut goodie]

If you are trying to prime it via the return line all you are doing is sucking fuel and air through a myriad of joints. To prime it you need to push fuel through from the first end of the fuel line from the tank.The likelihood of the bleed being the fault is less than the chance of oversize bore on the pipes allowing air in - as it is the suction side you will not see any signs of weepage usually.
I don't like that clear hose either as it can go hard and especially without any clips on it could be a source of your air ingress. Just because someone has put new hoses on it doesn't mean that they were done correctly with the right diameter hose.
Proper fuel hose is all that is needed.

[Smcknighty]

Wow at shiny engine!! Mine is 'like' that but with muck and oil

[lefty67]

Many thanks OBG. Will replace the valve and move the primer and see what happens. Can't do it till tomorrow so will let you know how I get on. By the way OBG that is one tidy engine bay

[lefty67]

Well got the van going again after changing filter and bleed valve. Changed oil and filter, running sweet as a nut. Took it for a spin and broke down, couldn't get it started so phoned aa.
While waiting had a little tinker pulled on the wire to the stop solenoid (Think That's right ) and it parted from its connection. Re-made it and van fired straight up, just as aa man coming down the road.
Happy days.
Thanks again for your help OBG much appreciated

[lloydy]

good news!