Just finished my first fuel filter change on my 2002 Duramax. Followed the instructions as listed in the Do It yourself section. Primed pump and truck started. A few miles down the road it went dead. Tried to prime pump again and got about 10 seconds with the engine running and then dead again never to start again. Had a good neighbor tow me home.

While priming pump fuel was running out of the bottom of the filter during each pump I guess through some kind of overflow valve? Is there anything I can do to get this thing running again?

There should not be anything coming out the bottom.You left off a rubber o ring or cross threaded something.
Did you have any leftover parts when you were done?
Re check everything and you'll find your answer.

Blake

Sounds like you may have a gasket leak and its draining down the side of yhe filter, apearing to look like a leak at the bottom, or you have a leak at the bottom. The drain valve may not be tight or maybe you cross threaded it, hopefully not. The filter gasket is very easy to be installed wrong. Its also easy for the gasket to slip out and you may not have noticed it.

I made sure that everything went on like it came off including both o-rings. I am assuming the fuel was being pushed out through the short plastic tube hanging down beside the WIF sensor.

So the only place I should see any fuel during priming is from the bleeder screw?

I made sure that everything went on like it came off including both o-rings. I am assuming the fuel was being pushed out through the short plastic tube hanging down beside the WIF sensor.

So the only place I should see any fuel during priming is from the bleeder screw?

That is correct. The tube hanging down is the drain valve. Did you get the drain tight? The WIF and drain should be completely dry.

You are loosing prime and sucking air, that is why it is stalling. It will be something simple once you find it.

Dude - did you remember to open the little priming screw on top of the filter mount? That's where the fuel should come out when you prime it - and before the fuel you will hear tons of air coming out. I'm actually don't know jack about this stuff - but followed the more complete version of the posted directions (before 1/2 the post disappeared) - and it worked like a charm. I didn't hear you mention the bleeder screw though when u primed it...

Thanks again to DMAXALLITECH for that post -

Finally got truck running again. Took off filter and inspected everything. I dont think the bleeder screw was opened enough during the first priming. This time when priming the pump fuel came out of the bleeder screw hole after about 30 pumps. I must have had some serious air in the line the first time.

Hard lesson learned. Thanks for everyones advice

excellent - glad u got it running!

Don't feel too bad! The first time I changed the filter, I somehow lost the top o-ring. Truck would run until the filter emptied, then stall. Finally removed filter, and then I felt like a complete idiot. Since then, I have plenty of light, and double-check everything, and have not had the problem repeat itself.

Quick tip, when I change the filters, first I take the top o ring and put it on the filter then turn the filter upside down on the gasket, while taking the old filter off, lets the o ring size it self to the filter some, wont want to pop off as much while putting it on.

Great tip Cobra. I have been lucky so far and changing this filter as never been much problem. The only thing that gets me is not knowing for sure if the top o-ring is seated correctly once I get it snugged down. I change mine every 6000 miles so I get plenty of practice. Again, great tip.

what many of us do (myself included) is put some light grease on the surface where the filter meets the o-ring. this holds it in place long enough to get it to seat properly.

Cat has a green gasket cement that is a lot like contact cement. I put a very small amount in six different places on the filter, put the o-ring in place turn it up side down and set something heavy on the filter to hold it into place while it sets up. Then I put it back in the box and under the back seat with the filter wrench in case I have to do this on side of road and oil off the dip stick helps to seal while tightening filter. It willlllllllllllllll stay in place. I do the rotation thing if I am doing my regular P.M.