First Startup issues....

[boosted_diesel_84]

so i finally got my build together and was ready to fire it up today,i hooked up my hand vacuum pump to #4 inj. hose and pulled a vauccum until i had fuel coming out, then did the same thing on the return line out of my IP,

i pulled vacuum pump, and hooked on to oil pump and spun it until i had oil in head and new turbo, put it all back in, let the glow plugs do their thing and fired her up, cranked for about 15-20 sec then fired up, ran for about 15 sec, started missing and then died even with foot to floor, started it up again, same thing!

this went on for about 30 min. and i keep getting air bubbles in feed line from fuel filter, does this sound like why it is dying? all the air bubbles? i turned the fuel up a turn and it ran for about 30-45 sec this time then died, but it will not stay running no matter what i tried. any ideas? i think its all the air bubbles but they wouldnt seem to bleed off. any help appreciated. thanks! i will update my build thread soon.

My build thread.
http://vwdiesel.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=15461&highlight=

[Vincent Waldon]

The usual suggestion at this point is to run the engine from a small jug of diesel (ie loop both the in and out lines into a small jerry can)... this should allow you to eliminate the air bubbles if they are happening upstream.

If you run from a small jug and you are still getting air bubbles then you'll need to troubleshoot further at the pump itself or the filter.

[boosted_diesel_84]

ok, i will give it a shot, i also just remembered i never filled IP with fuel before tryin to start, could this be the prob?

 all i did was the vacuum pump on the lines until i got fuel, and i also left inj. line at head loose until i had fuel come out.

[jtanguay]

check the fuel filter.  the filter pre-heater is a good suspect for leaking air into the system...

[Smokey Eddy]

(After doing vince's suggestion if no luck try getting a gentle tow in gear)

The pump it's self holds an impressive amount of diesel. When i drained my pump to change seals i thought i had broken it entirely but i got a tow around the block in gear. I had to be towed pretty far, even in third gear. around the block at least 3 times before it could drive it's self, poorly.

The fuel system is frustrating when it gets air in there.

[boosted_diesel_84]

problem solved, i had a brain fart, when i was trying to bleed the system i loosened the bleeder on top of the fuel filter housing and never tightened it. car now runs and sounds amazing, i have never heard a diesel that sounds like this or revs up so fast, i am sure i will be very happy with this build. thanks for the help!