Trouble replacing fuel filter

Question

I have a 2002 Journey with a Cat engine. Several times over the years I have replaced the fuel filter. It's been kind of a chore because there is no prime bulb. I fill the new filter and screw it in place, start the engine for a moment then drop the filter and fill it again. Usually this does the job and the engine starts. This time, it's not working and it appears that the fuel is not being drawn from the filter. What am I doing wrong and will I have to bleed the line at the injector system?

ivylog · Answer

Go buy the hand priming pump and install. You've been lucky in the past...the fuel tank is probably not full this time. Parking with the nose up on a hill will help in the future, even in Florida. Yes, you may have to loosen the fuel lines at the injectors.

twomed · Answer

Did you replace the center o-ring?  More importantly did the old one come off?  A double o-ring can cause what you describe.Agree...get the primer.

mexicowanderer · Answer

E-YUCK-OHReplace it with a RA-cor with S element. Better filtering, water separator and it has a pump.

teo · Answer

Ivylog hit the nail on the head. In the past, I had a nearly full tank and my camper was in my other driveway with the front a foot higher than the rear. The system in my older Safari was better as it was the Racor with the primer bulb.

Thanks all for the insight.

Paul

wolfe10 · Answer

Assume your coach has a SINGLE fuel filter? Correct?

Is the filter housing from Caterpillar (yellow)? If so, look at the block-off plate held by two bolts. That block-off plate can be removed and a Caterpillar manual primer pump added.

End of issues. Install the filter dry. Pump the manual pump until it goes from very easy (air is compressible) to very hard (fuel is not compressible). Start engine and drive off.

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Trouble replacing fuel filter

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