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Fuel Priming
If your vehicle has a Caterpillar®diesel engine, see the
Caterpillar®Diesel Engine Operation and Maintenance
Manual provided with your vehicle.
If your vehicle has a DURAMAX
®diesel engine, in
order for the fuel system to work properly, the fuel lines
must be full of fuel and contain no air. If air gets into
the fuel lines, it will be necessary to prime the fuel lines
to eliminate air before operating the vehicle.
Air can get into the fuel lines if any of the following
happen:
•The vehicle runs out of fuel.
•The fuel filter is removed for servicing or
replacement.
•The fuel lines are removed or disconnected for
servicing.
•The fuel filter water drain valve is opened while the
engine is running.If one or more of the above occurred, it is very likely
that air has entered your fuel system and that you will
need to prime the fuel system before operating the
vehicle.
Air in the fuel lines will not harm the engine or the
vehicle. However, the engine may not be able to start
until the fuel system is primed and the air is removed.
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Priming the 6.6L DURAMAX®Diesel Engine
If your vehicle is equipped with the 6.6L DURAMAX®
diesel engine, it has a priming pump which is part of the
engine mounted fuel filter. The vent valve and the
fuel filter primer pump are located on top of the fuel filter
housing. The priming pump is hand operated and is
designed to bring fuel to the engine to eliminate any air
that may be in the fuel lines.
To prime the 6.6L DURAMAX
®diesel engine, do the
following:
1. Make sure there is fuel in the tank.
2. Make sure the fuel filter had been installed and
properly tightened.
3. Make sure the fuel lines are properly connected
and the fuel filter is cool enough to touch.
4. Remove any dirt from the fuel filter head and vent
valve by wiping with a cloth.5. Open the fuel filter vent
valve by turning the
screw counterclockwise
several full turns.
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6. Repeatedly push down
on the fuel filter primer
pump with the palm
of your hand. Let
the pump return
upward between
pushes.
7. Operate the priming pump until a small amount of
fuel seeps from the vent valve. When you see the
fuel, the filter is now full of fuel and the system
should be primed.
8. Close the vent valve.
9. Clean any fuel which accumulated on the fuel filter.
10. Start the engine and let it idle for a few minutes.
11. Check the filter for leaks.Priming the 7.8L DURAMAX®Diesel Engine
If your vehicle is equipped with the 7.8L DURAMAX®
diesel engine, use the following procedure to prime the
engine:
1. Make sure there is fuel in the fuel tank.
2. Make sure the specified fuel filter is properly
installed.
3. Make sure the fuel lines are securely connected.
4. Make sure the fuel filter is cool to the touch.
5. Use a clean cloth to remove dirt and oil from the
fuel filter head and breather valve.
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6. Use the palm of your hand to repeatedly press and
release the plunger (1) at the top of the fuel filter
priming pump. Continue until the plunger resistance
becomes firm. This may take from 20 to 100 times,
depending upon fuel tank location.
7. Turn the fuel filter breather valve screw (2)
counterclockwise several turns to open the breather
valve.
8. Use the palm of your hand to repeatedly press and
release the plunger (1) at the top of the fuel filter
priming pump until fuel begins to seep from
the breather valve.9. Tighten the fuel filter breather screw (2) to the
specified torque, 4.9Y(43 in. lbs).
10. Use the palm of your hand to press and release the
plunger (1) at the top of the fuel filter priming pump
about 20 more times. This sends fuel to the
engine.
11. Use a clean cloth to remove any fuel from the fuel
filter and surrounding area.
12. Start the engine and allow it to idle for a few
minutes.
13. Check the fuel filter for leakage.
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