3054 Engine Caterpillar

Remove Air From The Fuel System On Type 1 Engines and 9RM Engines

Note: For a complete description of Type 1 and Type 2 engines, refer to the Systems Operation, Testing and Adjusting Module, "Engine Design" for more information.

If air enters the fuel system, the air must be purged before the engine can be started.

Air can enter the fuel system when any of the following events occur:

• The fuel tank is drained during normal operation.

• The low pressure fuel lines are disconnected.

• A part of the low pressure fuel system leaks during engine operation.

• The fuel filter is replaced.

Use the following procedure in order to remove air from the fuel system.

Illustration 1	g00310668
(1) Vent plug (2) Fuel filter base

1. Loosen the vent plug (1) on top of fuel filter base (2).
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   Illustration 2	g00310703
   (3) Fuel transfer pump

2. Operate the priming lever on the bottom of the fuel transfer pump (3) until fuel, which is free of air, flows from the vent plug. Tighten the vent plug.

   Note: If the drive cam of the fuel transfer pump is at maximum lift, the priming lever cannot be operated. The crankshaft must be rotated one revolution.

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   Illustration 3	g00310743
   (4) Nut for the fuel line to the air inlet heater

3. If the fuel line for the air inlet heater has been drained, loosen the nut (4) for the fuel line at the air inlet heater. Operate the priming lever on the bottom of the fuel transfer pump (3) until fuel, which is free of air, flows from the fuel line. Tighten the nut for the fuel line to the air inlet heater to a torque of 22 N·m (16 lb ft).
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   Illustration 4	g00310824
   (5) Nuts for the fuel line to the fuel injection nozzles

4. Air from the fuel lines is also removed by loosening the nuts (5) for the fuel line at the fuel injection nozzles. Operate the starting motor until the fuel, which is free of air, flows from the fuel line. Tighten the nuts for the fuel lines (5) to a torque of 22 N·m (16 lb ft).

Remove Air From The Fuel System On Type 2 Engines and 7BJ Engines

Note: For a complete description of Type 1 and Type 2 engines, refer to the Systems Operation, Testing and Adjusting Module, "Engine Design" for more information.

If air enters the fuel system, the air must be purged before the engine can be started. Air can enter the system when the following events occur:

• The fuel tank is empty or the tank has been partially drained.

• The low pressure fuel lines are disconnected.

• A leak exists in the low pressure fuel system.

• The fuel filter is replaced.

Use the following procedure in order to remove air from the fuel system:

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Illustration 5	g00310885
Fuel filter and fuel filter base (Lucas Fuel Systems) (1) Vent plug (2) Fuel filter and fuel filter base

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Illustration 6	g00310703
(3) Fuel transfer pump

1. Loosen the vent plug (1) on top of the fuel filter and filter bases. Operate the priming lever on the bottom of the fuel transfer pump (3) until fuel, which is free of air, flows from the vent plug. Tighten the vent plug.
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   Illustration 7	g00804995
   Fuel filter and filter assemblies (Stanadyne Fuel System) (1) Vent plug for the fuel filter (if equipped)

   1. Stanadyne fuel system

      Loosen vent plug (1) on top of primary fuel filter. Operate the priming lever on the bottom of the fuel transfer pump (3) until fuel, which is free of air, flows from the vent plug. Tighten the vent plug.

      Loosen vent plug (1) on top of the secondary fuel filter. Operate the priming lever on the bottom of the fuel transfer pump (3) until fuel, which is free of air, flows from the vent plug. Tighten the vent plug.

      Note: If the drive cam of the fuel transfer pump is in the position of maximum cam lift, the priming lever will not operate. The crankshaft must be rotated one revolution.

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   Illustration 8	g00311106
   (4) Nut for the fuel line to the air inlet heater

2. If the fuel line for the air inlet heater has been drained, loosen the fuel line nut (4) at the air inlet heater. Operate the priming lever on the bottom of the fuel transfer pump (3) until fuel, which is free of air, flows from the fuel line. Tighten the fuel line nut (4) to a torque of 22 N·m (16 lb ft).
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   Illustration 9	g00311183
   (5) Nuts for the fuel line to the fuel injection nozzles

3. Loosen the connections for the high pressure fuel lines on two fuel injection nozzles. Operate the starting motor until fuel, which is free of air, flows from the fuel line. Tighten the fuel line nuts (5) to a torque of 22 N·m (16 lb ft).

   Note: Damage to the fuel injection pump, the battery, and the starter motor can occur if the starter motor is used excessively to purge the air from the fuel system.

4. The engine is now ready to start. If the engine stops or if the engine runs roughly, check for air in the fuel system. If air is in the fuel system, leakage in the low pressure fuel system probably exists.

   Note: Operate the engine at low idle for a minimum of five minutes immediately after air has been removed from the fuel system. Running the engine for this period of time will help ensure that the pump is completely free of air. Damage to the internal parts of the pump which is caused by metal to metal contact will be prevented.