# Diesel starts, dies then fuel line must be bled

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/diesel-starts-dies-then-fuel-line-must-be-bled/72137>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [April 28, 2012, 4:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/diesel-starts-dies-then-fuel-line-must-be-bled/72137 "2012-04-28T04:27:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![FordwasaNazi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ea666f/32.png) [@FordwasaNazi](https://community.cartalk.com/u/FordwasaNazi)\
**Post date:** [April 28, 2012, 4:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/diesel-starts-dies-then-fuel-line-must-be-bled/72137/1 "2012-04-28T04:27:08Z")

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My 1985 Ford f-350 diesel truck has an odd habit of occasionally starting but dying and then I have to bleed the fuel line using two people to get her to start proper. Any thoughts? My guess is there is a place in the fuel line that is letting air in or something. Once it runs for a day it is good but when it is started cold using the glow plugs this is an issue. Thanks to anyone who helps.

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**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\
**Post date:** [April 28, 2012, 6:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/diesel-starts-dies-then-fuel-line-must-be-bled/72137/2 "2012-04-28T06:08:50Z")

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I agree with you, the high-pressure pump is sucking air from somewhere…The “lift pump” (low pressure from tank) should prevent this…

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [April 28, 2012, 6:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/diesel-starts-dies-then-fuel-line-must-be-bled/72137/3 "2012-04-28T06:14:40Z")

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Remove the injector pump from the side of the engine and check for leaks.

Tester

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**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\
**Post date:** [April 28, 2012, 6:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/diesel-starts-dies-then-fuel-line-must-be-bled/72137/4 "2012-04-28T06:31:50Z")

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This truck is 27 years old. Any of the fuel lines are highly suspect, including the flex lines from the tank to the high-pressure pump. To keep this truck working, I think any rubber/flexible lines need to be replaced and all hard-lines closely inspected for pin-holes and fractures.