To set the record straight out of the gates, I am not mechanically skilled..
I decided to change the oil and fuel filters on my 2010 Ford f350 superduty (6.4 liter diesel). I have done this 2x before without issue.
It has two filters, one in the engine compartment and one underneath against the frame on the drivers side.
Here is what I did
1. Loosened the engine compartment filter
2. Opened the water separator under the truck next to the frame filter to drain the system
3. Removed the lower filter, replaced the cap o-ring and put the new filter in. Screwed it back in
4. Closed the water separator drain
5. Replaced the engine compartment filter and screwed it down
Here is where I screwed up I think. To start the truck you are supposed to cycle the ignition 5 or 6 times-leaving it on for 30 seconds per cycle so the fuel pump can fill the system with diesel. Doing this from memory I did this 5 or six times but only for 10 seconds per time.
I then attempted to start the truck. It ran for 10 seconds or so and then died (typical for the last 2 times I did fuel filter changes). I tried again 2-3 times and it would not start.
I realized my error and tried again with 30 second cycles (I waited until the fuel pump stopped running before cycling again. After some cranking it started and ran for 5 seconds or so and died.
Every time I repeat the process I get the same results-sometimes it starts and runs for 4 or 5 seconds and sometimes it just cranks. When it starts I tried stepping on the gas pedal with no luck.
I figure I have air somewhere in the system. I did some youtubing and found the air bleed in the engine compartment and ran the pump until no air was observed (7 or 8 times and probably 3/4 of a gallon of diesel. ). It fired up after some cranking and again died after 5 seconds.
I am at a bit of a loss. Any ideas? Almost has to be air in the line somewhere. No fuel leaking from anywhere and the fuel is getting from the tank, thru both filters and passes by the air bleed purge valve.
Absent any ideas I am going to go thru the motions of changing the fuel filters again and see if I notice an issue.