when changing the fuel filter on a ford transit connect van fitted with the 1.8 TDCi engine how do you go about bleeding the air out is it best to fill the fuel filter with fresh diesel before fitting the pipes back on to it, then do you just have to start up or is it a case then of having to crank it over till it fires up. As I do not like cranking for ever I wiondered if there was an easy way your opinion would be much appreciated thank you

John Greaves, November 2008

I replaced the filter on my wife's 55 plate focus Tdci. Filled the filter canister with fuel but wouldn't start. Ended up buying a bulb-type hand pump, which I connected to the input side of the filter, drawing fuel from a fuel can. squirted some fuel in, with the bleed valve on the top of the filter cracked open. Reconnected the feed pipe to the filter. Started after about 5 secs. Must have been an air lock. Only problem is it now hesitates a fair bit when on part throttle. Any ideas people?

Dan H, June 2009

You do not crank it over for longer than 5sec at a time , otherwise it can damage the pump due to the fact that it is a high pressure system.

Kev, January 2009

Hi John yes the best way is to fill the filter first . It can sometimes be a bit messy but saves your starter and battery and usually you have no bleeding to do

kevin, November 2008