Bleed the air from diesel gas line

[Jimma]

This may be a stupid question, but I'm completely ignorant on diesel engines. I have a couple of vermeer 352's stump grinders with diesel engines. They seem to get air in the system once in a while and lose power. They each have a gas filter/primer pump that has a bleed screw. I usually just back of the bleeder screw and pump the primer until there are no more bubbles in the gas. But sometimes this screws up the system and I have to play around for a long while trying to get it right. I've bled many brake lines in my life where you back off the bleeder than depress the brake, tighten the bleeder before releasing the brake so you don't suck more air in. Should I be loosing the bleeder then pushing the primer then tightening the bleeder before releasing the primer button? I just put in a new engine in ne and forgot to open the bleeder before trying to start it may have gotten a lot of air in the system and it won't start. thought I'd ask before playing around with it so I get it right.

 

[mesupra]

Make sure if its a diesel engine you don't use gas. You would be surprised how poorly they run.

 

[Jimma]

Thanks mesupra, that may be the only thing I do know about Deisels

 

[dieselfitter]

bleed the low pressure fuel system just as you have been doing. If it doesn't start, then bleed the high pressure fuel system by loosening the injector fuel lines at each injector. Crank the engine and watch for fuel at the loosened injection line nut. When you have fuel pulsing at the loose nut, while cranking, tighten it. The engine may even start before you get every injection nut tightened.

 

[Jimma]

Thanks dieselfitter, Worked and started right up.

 

[CalTreeEquip]

Question is, why is it sucking are? You might want to find that leak. Could be as simple as a small leak in the intake line or loose compression fitting. Could be a worn fuel pump or injector pump.