Someone wants to sell me their E 1999 for cheap and it ran out of fuel and now according to them won't start. I am thinking that the fuel filter may be gunked up so I am bringing one with me. Do you have to put diesel in the fuel bowl as well to prime it. Removing air?

I've never ran out of fuel and the only priming I had to do was with my Mercedes 300D

Thanks!

 

Don't think so, if it a 7.3L not sure on the 6.0L, when the electric pump turns on it should prime it's self and remove the air, may want to leave key in "on" position for a couple minute or so to fill bowl and remove the air but just the same it's best to just add fuel to bowl before installing filter (lower filter slowly to absorb fuel) don't forget to lube orings with fuel before installing.

 

you would have to keep forcing it to run after it started to air log for it not to run. but the filter is a good idea. also on the passenger side kick panel. there is a small hole. feel around for a quarter sized circle. press down on it. it's the emergency fuel cut off switch. somtimes this will pop and shut down the pump.

 

Be careful when buying a diesel truck that someone has ran out of gas. i was reading today what could happen. and what i read was you can lose injectors due to loss of pressure in the fuel system. with bad injectors the truck will not start. this is what i read, i know its for a 6.0 motor but it can have the same effect on an HEUI (HEUI stands for hydraulic electronic unit injection) system.

"Also, because the fuel actually provides a cushion for the internal valving of the injector, anything that causes low fuel pressure will kill the injectors. This includes not observing proper fuel filter maintenance. We recommend that fuel filters be serviced at 15,000 mile intervals. Low pressure caused by a failing fuel pump can cause repeat injector failure. ALWAYS check fuel pressure after installing new injectors - it should be between 45 and 55 PSI and should not drop below this spec under load. Finally, running a 6.0L Powerstroke out of fuel is deadly to injectors! On early trucks, if you run out of fuel, you will usually be buying 8 injectors. If you think you are going to run out of fuel, stop, shut the truck off, and walk. It may save you $2,500. Later trucks have a PCM strategy which limits pressure to prevent injector damage during a low fuel condition, but it is still a situation to be avoided at all costs".