Truck won't start after fuel filter change

[Rob]

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.

[MADMAX]

On my old 7.3. I actually had to fill up fuel after I pulled out the cartridge, but I don’t think it’s the same anymore but yes, I suspect that you need to purge & prime

[Rob]

Yeah, i wondered about that so I pulled the engine compartment filter and cycled the ignition and it filled the chamber-spilled fuel all over the driveway too...

[MADMAX]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gTTZZauv2vA

[buglebuster]

So on my 2012 6.7 ford the filter on the frame rail if you don’t have the housing turned all the way on it will do that. I’ve done it. Even when I thought it was all the way on(it stops in place) it wasn’t actually. I’d recommend pulling the housing off, re tightening it and doing the start up procedure again. Should work.

[Rob]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gTTZZauv2vA

I will give that a go in the morning

[Rob]

So on my 2012 6.7 ford the filter on the frame rail if you don’t have the housing turned all the way on it will do that. I’ve done it. Even when I thought it was all the way on(it stops in place) it wasn’t actually. I’d recommend pulling the housing off, re tightening it and doing the start up procedure again. Should work.

That will be my next step if the bleeding step in the video does not work

[MADMAX]

Good luck bud
Let us know how it pans out

[Rob]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gTTZZauv2vA

Bam!  That did the trick.. I you ever come up the CDA or Sandpoint way I owe you dinner and a beer!

[MADMAX]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gTTZZauv2vA

Bam!  That did the trick.. I you ever come up the CDA or Sandpoint way I owe you dinner and a beer!

Your very welcome
Kill a big one 👍