Transit out of diesel

[shonky]

Hi, all.

Should it be of interest,we had a discussion with a mechanic about starting a 2006 Transit should it run dry. Now this is complicated - remove the fuel filter, fill it to the brim with diesel, screw it back in and hit the go button. So glad I was in the vicinity and took notes.

[BruceS]

Bruce does the Transit have a hand priming pump/button?
I think some vehicles now have electric lift pumps built in to the fuel tank as well.
Good info though .... saves giving the battery a hiding.

[shonky]

Hi, all.

BruceS - there's a priming button on top of the filter housing which is totally useless if there's air in the lines. It's possible to fit an outboard priming pump onto the fuel line, but the best thing is not to run dry. Another way, if you have a compressor is to put the nozzle into the filler pipe and stuff the rest of the filler with rags, then give it a blast of air.

I don't worry about flattening the starter battery as I have 4 AGM's in the back with a total of 3800 CCA. Just one will do the job, it's all Mrs shonky can lift. I'm willing to supervise and carry the jumper leads...

[jamglor]

One other way is buy a hand vaccum pump that you use with bleeding brakes. connect it to the outlet hose after the filter and pump away, make sure of course that you have the fluid bowl on the pump otherwise the pump will get stuffed up.

[bagmaker]

My folks have a transit and the same thing was mentioned........ Anyone know if just cranking will be OK?
I am about to tax a bit of fuel for the heater and thought those filter fittings would be a good spot for the tee fitting, has anyone done this? Theirs is a 2.4 durotorque about 10 years old

[shonky]

Hi, all.

bagmaker - I know of one case where the Transit burst into life in a few seconds, but in this recent instance cranking did no good at all.