Intermittent fuel supply problem - Silverado Duramax diesel engine

I have a 2009 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD pickup with a Duramax diesel engine in it. It has a problem where, intermittently, the engine will start up and then shut down after a second or two of running. I then go to the fuel filter pump, (the fuel tank has fuel in it and it is not at a low fuel level) open the air bleed screw and when I pump there is no fuel there until after I pump a few times. I drive it occaisionally on bumpy roads but have not noticed a trend for the problem. Any thoughts on the source and solution to this problem?

Stan in Mancos