Bleeding the fuel lines

Growlerbearnz

Administrator
Staff member
If you've changed the fuel filter or worked on the injection pump or injectors you'll likely need to bleed the air out of the fuel lines.
If you changed the fuel filter: Wrap a rag around the fuel filter- this will be messy. Loosen the bleed port bolt (10mm), press on the primer pump until fuel comes out the bleed port. Tighten bleed port, and pump a few more times until the primer goes stiff. (It'll still be springy, but it won't go "squish" like it does when the bleed port is open). And you're done!
FilterBracket.jpg

If you've emptied the injector pump: you'll want to refill it with diesel. Remove a fuel hose form the IP's rear banjo (the fuel outlet banjo), then pump the fuel filter's primer pump until fuel comes out the IP's rear banjo. Now your IP is full of fuel.


If you've got air in the injectors: (Run the engine out of fuel, removed/replaced the injectors or steel lines): The steel lines that run from the injection pump to the injectors must be free of air bubbles. If there is air in the lines, the effected injector(s) wont see enough pressure to open, or will open at the wrong time. You'll have air in the lines if you've run out of fuel, or if you've removed the lines.
file.php

Luckily, bleeding the air out is easy. Just loosen the 17mm nut that holds the fuel line in place (one turn will do), and crank the engine until fuel squirts out past the nut, then tighten the nut again.

**CAUTION** in the picture below, the adjustable spanner that's holding the injector is touching the glow plug rail. Don't neglect to remove the spanner before cranking the engine, or the rail will short out through the spanner. (No prizes for guessing how I figured that one out...)
file.php

Make sure you keep the injector from turning while loosening or tightening the nut. You want to hold the injector on the part directly below the return rail (like the adjustable spanner in the picture). Don't panic if your injectors are slightly different to those pictured, just find the hex immediately below the return rail and hold them there. Oh, and this is the return rail:
file.php


It's easiest to bleed all 4 at once, just wrap a rag around the injectors to catch any fuel. When cranking the engine, don't crank for more than 30 seconds at a time- the starter motor will overheat and burn out. Feel the starter motor with your hand, if it's painfully hot then stop and let it cool down.
 
Last edited:
Hey y'all, jumping in here. Having a problem with the primer pump. It's bleeding back. Any suggestions on how to replace it? Comparable part? Reliable source? Thanks as always
 
Great thanks! Do you know if this part can be cross-listed and found in the states? Comparable with Montero or Pajero?
The Montero/Pajero was never sold in the states as a diesel. I'm not finding a cross reference part...
 
Top