Car Runs and dies slowly: Any Advice?

[spencebm]

I picked up a 90 jetta diesel, all stock and drove it 4 hours after I bought it with no problems.  I parked it for a weak and put a tranny in it.  Now it will start and then slowly idle down and die every time.  Then it will start back up and do the same thing.  I checked to see if the fuel solenoid was bad and it is fine.  I changed the fuel filter and the same thing happens.  Any suggestions?  It seems like it is gradually loosing fuel as it runs as soon as I start it.  Any experience with these matters would be helpful.  Thanks.

[Dakotakid]

I would crawl under the car and inspect the entire fuel line all the way back to the tank. Esp. the lines around the big plastic water seperator box. Next, pull the fuel sender/pickup unit in the tank and see how clean the screen is or if there is any breakdown in the rubber fuel line which accompanies the sender unit. Basic stuff here......

Did the car run prior to the transmission exchange?

[spencebm]

Yes it did run and I checked all of that.  I think it is the o-ring in the fuel filter, it had a crack in it.  Thanks for the ideas.  I will update the thread if I still have problems.

[Quantum TD]

Do you have a clear line on the fuel feed line? I'm guessing your sucking massive amounts of air somewhere. Could be the return lines, could be fuel feed lines.  I've also seen return nipples broken off the injectors, but just hanging there.

Time to get out the vac pump and check everything.

[spencebm]

the gasket in the fuel filter was torn and that seems to have been the culprit.  Pressurized the system to get the air out and seems to be working.  Thanks for the quick responses, guys.