Diesel Place banner

How to remove air from the fuel system and/or find an air/fuel leak on a 6.2L

92K views 42 replies 23 participants last post by  OkDually 
#1 · (Edited)
This thread covers bleeding the air out of the fuel system on these engines, which is necessary after running out of fuel, after the vehicle has been sitting for a long time, or after replacing any part of the fuel system.

It also includes a method for finding an air leak (or a fuel leak) in the fuel system. Symptoms of an air leak include surging, hard starting, no start, rough running, rough idle, and stalling.

These methods should not be used on trucks with very rusty fuel tanks, as it is possible to blow a hole in the tank.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bigboytoys
#2 ·
To bleed air (or old fuel) out of the system on early models (1982-1984):

Hook an air compressor hose into the return line at the injection pump (IP). The line you want is the rubber one that goes into the front of the IP. Alternatively, you can stick the air hose into the filler neck, but that is not as effective. You can also modify a fuel cap with a valve stem off of a tubeless tire and use an air chuck to supply the air, which works good. Whatever way you choose, the next step is to loosen the fitting on the outlet side of the fuel filter. Loosen it enough that fuel will come out readily, but don’t take it all the way off as you will need to be able to tighten it fairly easily. Put a pop bottle with a funnel stuck in the neck under the fitting to collect the fuel. With the fuel cap on tight, turn on the air to about 4 psi. Give it some time to fill the fuel tank. Fuel will start to run out of the fitting and into the pop bottle. When the pop bottle is about full, tighten the fitting. Then turn off the air. Disconnect the air line, wait for any remaining pressure to bleed out of the tank, and then reconnect the return line to the IP. If you used the modified fuel cap or the hose in the filler neck, you can ignore these last few steps.

Once you have bled the air out of the system to that point, you may need to crank for a while to get it to start. It is not necessary to loosen injector lines to bleed the system to the injectors on the 6.2. Simply crank until it starts. You will need to do this in several cranking sessions of about 15-25 seconds in length so that you do not burn out the starter.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bigboytoys
#3 · (Edited)
To bleed air (or old fuel) out of the system on 1984 and later models:

These trucks were equipped with a combination fuel filter/water separator/fuel heater ("square" filter). If your truck is equipped with a "round" filter, see the procedure for early model trucks.

Hook an air compressor hose into the return line at the injection pump (IP). The line you want is the rubber one that goes into the front of the IP. Alternatively, you can stick the air hose into the filler neck, but that is not as effective. You can also modify a fuel cap with a valve stem off of a tubeless tire and use an air chuck to supply the air, which works good. Whatever way you choose, the next step is to open the air bleed valve. It is located on the top of the fuel filter mounting block. There is a hose fitting right next to it. Hook a hose onto that, and run the hose into a pop bottle (this will collect whatever fuel you bleed out). With the fuel cap on tight, turn on the air to about 4 psi. Give it some time to fill the fuel tank. Fuel will start to flow out of the bleed valve and into the pop bottle. When the pop bottle is about full, close the bleed valve. Then turn off the air. Disconnect the air line, wait for any remaining pressure to bleed out of the tank, and then reconnect the return line to the IP. If you used the modified fuel cap or the hose in the filler neck, you can ignore these last few steps.

Once you have bled the air out of the system to that point, you may need to crank for a while to get it to start. It is not necessary to loosen injector lines to bleed the system to the injectors on the 6.2. Simply crank until it starts. You will need to do this in several cranking sessions of about 15-25 seconds in length so that you do not burn out the starter.
 
#4 · (Edited)
To find an air/fuel leak:

Utilize air pressure to test your fuel supply system for leaks. The procedure for connecting the air is the same as the one used to bleed the system, however you don’t loosen the fitting at the fuel filter (on 1982-1984 models) or open the bleed valve (on newer models). Once you have the system under pressure, crawl under the truck and look for fuel leaks (it might be a good idea to wear safety goggles when you do this). Work slowly from the fuel tank to the injection pump. You need to look very closely, because any leaks are likely to be very slow leaks. Check every connection, every hose, the fuel pump, the fuel filter(s), and the tank switch (if the truck has dual tanks). In short, check everything. When you think you’ve checked everything, go back to the fuel tank and start over. A good thorough inspection should take about fifteen or twenty minutes. Anything that is just barely seeping fuel needs to be repaired. Fix any leaks, test it again, and when you get to the point where it no longer leaks, bleed the air out of the system. Replace the rubber hose on the return line with a clear hose before you start the engine. Start the engine and let it run for a while. If it runs good, take it out on the road for a short distance. Then look at the clear hose and look for any bubbles. If there aren’t any, you are probably in good shape.

If everything looks good, but the engine won’t start the next morning, you probably need to replace the fuel pump. Replace the pump, bleed the air out of the system, and you should be in good shape.
 
#5 ·
Well Done

Hey High Sierra,

This skinny is very well written, easy to follow, and very helpful. I'm still working but will let you know how it comes out. Many thanks!!:ro)

Warm regards,

G
 
  • Like
Reactions: buckallred
#6 ·
Did all that and finaly found the leak I Have been looking for for a year under the Fuel filter mount where the hose connects to the Outlet. Slight leka but enough to drain the system Probably got some sort of vibration fracture in it as it appears to be leaking where the tube attaches to the Seperator/Fuel filter mount.
 
  • Like
Reactions: thetundrawolf
#7 ·
i found my leak in the intake to the IP
 
#8 ·
You do not have to loosen injectors to bleed the air out on 6.2?..I disagree,when I had my leak all the cranking in the world wouldn't bleed the system.I also needed a battery charger and removed the glowplugs to make it easier on the starter with all that cranking.It was my understanding that this system isn't self bleeding,so one has to crack the injectors until fuel seeps out to remove air in lines...
 
#9 ·
You don't need to loosen the lines. It will indeed bleed the injector lines out with ease with all the fittings tight.

You are right, the system is not self bleeding. That is why you use air pressure to push the air out of the lines before the injection pump. Beyond the injection pump, the only way to get the air out of the injector lines is by cranking the engine. The lines from the injection pump are fairly short and it doesn't take that much cranking to remove the air from them. You do not need to loosen the lines to bleed the air. Even if you do, there will still be some air left at the end of the injector lines and how do you get that out? By cranking, of course...

Most of the time when people do loosen the injector lines, it is to see if they are done bleeding the system. They know that once there is fuel at the injectors, they have completed the bleed procedure.

When the bleed procedure is performed correctly, you will find that you can simply crank the engine a couple times and it will start.

If you are doing things correctly using the air pressure method to bleed the lines, there is usually no need for a battery charger since it takes very little cranking to get the fuel through the injection pump and to the injectors. If you messed up somewhere along the way (it happens to all of us) then you have to crank long enough to draw the fuel a long way and that will kill the batteries and starter. Usually it only takes one or two 15 second cranking sessions before the engine starts if you have done things properly.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Winter2019
#11 · (Edited)
Probably not (although it might help, depending on what the problem is)... That is most likely a different issue. You are actually supposed to hold some throttle when starting one of these engines... Shouldn't really have to at 90 degrees, though...
 
#13 ·
Other things that are helpful to bleeding lines...

Remove the glowplugs, the engine will turn over faster and with less load on the starter. When a misting is seen from glowplug hole(s), it should start up.

You can hook a hand vac , like a mighty-vac to the return line in the top of the IP, and pull fuel though the system. When you see fuel at the vac pump, the filters, lines and IP are full, should start very easy.
 
  • Like
Reactions: turbonator
#14 ·
Awesome write up and this should be made a sticky...

The only addition I can make is to unplug the cold advance solenoid, small green wire on the IP, to speed the air being expelled from the IP while cranking with the GP's out, re install the wire when cranking to fire the engine.
 
#15 · (Edited)
should get your gas-tank cap /pressure-for-finding-leaks tool pics in here too, then its the ultimate sticky, i looked through your threads today for it, but could not find it..:think:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bigboytoys
#21 ·
Ask and my cheapness will deliver.

Take 1 old fuel cap and drill a hole in it, thread in an air fitting of your choice, take an old regulator, in this case a propane version, and set it 3 - 5 psi and your off to find the leak or pressure bleed the fuel system.
 

Attachments

#22 ·
I was essentially given an 84 4x4 that had been sitting for at least a year. One battery was "kind of" good, the other was dead, and both had been dead for some time.

After jumping it from my minitruck, it cranked a bit, but not fast at all.

Maybe 5 seconds, if that, and got so slow, I put the single battery from my PUP truck in there, and cranked it for maybe another five seconds and it fired right up.

I hooked my PUP truck to the back of it and began pulling it to my house, well... Lo and behold the fuel gauge was right and I ran out of diesel, going up a hill, with my little truck in tow.

I unhooked the PUP truck and got a few jugs of diesel (Woops, I forgot to get them before!) and put five gallons in the left hand tank.

Naturally the batteries in it let it crank for maybe eight seconds before giving up. I put the PUP truck battery in there and cranked for maybe another 15 seconds and I couldn't believe it, it fired right up.

I've known people with diesels (Cummins) who had to crank their truck for about forty plus seconds before it would start... every time. Each time I'd wonder how the batteries could crank it for so long.

I was really impressed. I didn't have to bleed anything. Just crank it.
 
#24 ·
First off Welcome to Diesel Place !!

We'll get you almost anything except breakfast with the in-law's, your on your own there... :coolnana:

Fuel poring out the tank, would not be a good thing...

I would guess you have a rust hole in a line off the sending unit or a bad rubber line. Either way you going to have to get a closer look at that.
 
#29 · (Edited)
That's why I phrased my answer to have them think a little more about it. A big part of learning is thinking and understanding.
 
#30 ·
He could also mean that when he pressurizes the fuel system that fuel comes out the cap, I could see this happening if you were pressurizing from the return system and the tank was very close to full. He didn't really give much detail as to what "this" is in "when I do this...."
 
  • Like
Reactions: jrsavoie
#32 ·
I will take the stupid question award or any harassing necessary for some clarification on" Hook an air compressor hose into the return line at the injection pump (IP). The line you want is the rubber one that goes into the front of the IP". First I am not sure if you mean physically place (T) a air compressor hose fitting in the line. Second, I am not sure where this rubber line is. Is it the one that goes from the top of the IP to a little box? I have a 1983 Motorhome and the engine setup seems different than everyone's videos. Any help is appreciated since I bought this about six months ago and ran like a dream after getting clean fuel through it. Now she does not start at all. Changed filters and mech fuel pump so far.
 
#34 ·
Personally I would add an electric lift pump.

Have you checked to see that your fuel shut off solenoid is working?
 
#33 ·
Welcome to Diesel Place, The Big Show!!!

The line you want is the rubber one off the top of the IP, injection pump, hook your air compressor to the line that goes downward on the engine and take another piece of hose from the top of the IP into a catch can.

So air pressure goes in the return line into the fuel tank, that push's fuel up the pickup to the IP and air and fuel comes out the top of the IP into your catch can.

I can't remember if it's in this thread but you'll want to key on and unplug the green wire to the IP before pressurizing the system. Reinstall the green wire when your done.


Don't put more than 10 psi to the fuel system or you'll pop all sorts of things, think EXPENSIVE fast if you over pressure....


Most of us swap to clear line for diagnostics to look for air coming out of the IP.



Does that clear things up?
 
#36 ·
Welcome to Diesel Place, The Big Show!!!

The line you want is the rubber one off the top of the IP, injection pump, hook your air compressor to the line that goes downward on the engine and take another piece of hose from the top of the IP into a catch can.

Most of us swap to clear line for diagnostics to look for air coming out of the IP.



Does that clear things up?
In your photo, the clear line runs from the IP back toward the fuel tank. . . correct?

AND: if you see bubbles going through it, you know you have either an air leak OR you need to prime the system. Correct?
 
#35 ·
Yes, an electric lift pump is an option but not everyone is skilled at electrical, by passing the factory lift pump or removing it and putting on a block off plate. So are check valves in fuel systems but I won't endorse them very often but do use them from time to time.

If the factory lift pump is actually working, and it's not a gasser version, gasser fuel cap, or there is air leaks in the suction side of the fuel lines, plugged pickup sock .... there is no reason why it shouldn't be able to run on it.
 
#40 ·
Ya sorry ... been busy ... went out for a coupla days worth of brrraaaapin'....


Tree Plant Rock



Tire Automotive tire Wheel Automotive wheel system Auto part



Yes, the clear line should be full of clear, air free fuel while running, and after sitting over night there can be a 1/4 to 3/4 of an inch bubble in the line, that's fine.


:bigglasse
 
Top