81 240d wont start after changing the lift pump
 

I replaced my old lift pump and leaky primer with a new unit from diesel giant. After the job I pumped the primer, but I couldn't get fuel to the filter. I could feel "some" sucking from the hose that goes to the filter when pumping the primer, but seemed kinda weak.
Any ideas?? I don't know if there was a particular way of removing or installing the pump.

With the air filter lid off, spray WD 40 into the intake while someone cranks the engine. Most times after 2 or 3 short bursts of engine running, it will fill the see thru filter on its own. Dont crank too long, weakens battery quickly and can overheat the starter.

Silly question, But--was the engine running Before you replaced the pump...?

There should be no problem in drawing fuel from the tank with the primer--A few quick pumps and it should be there. Suspect the fuel tank gauze-filter, or an air-leak in one of the fuel-line connections from the tank, if its not coming through....

I guess there I sufficient fuel in the tank...!?

IF it doesn't 'Prime up' with the Primer, Then running the engine on WD40/Ether/'Knocking-fluid' wont 'cure' it and can cause terrible damage such as bent starter shafts or broken bell-housings. Seen it happen. NOT advisable!:eek:

I replaced my lift pump gasket a while back and it took me over an hour of pump and sucking with my mity vac to get the system re-primed. You probably still have air in the system. Give it a few hundred more pumps.

I cleaned the filter and lines going back to the tank with compressed air. I may have also put some compress air into that kinda clear hose that goes to the pump.
I'm pretty sure it still has fuel in the tank and the car was running before replacing the pump.
Will try to pump it some more(I did alot of that) and use my mightyvac. Hope it works.

" I'm pretty sure it has fuel"? means you haven't confirmed? WD 40 wont hurt the engine or starter. eather, starting fluid will!

Apparently I should have said that I have lovecraft/lovecrap "system" installed. To those familiar with the system the fuelhas to frst reach the heated filter and from there get sucked into the pump/IP. Well the fuel wasn't eaching the lovecraft filter, so I bypassed the lovecraft filter and hooked the hoses straight to the tank. Pumped the primer and started right up.

Lovecraft doesn't make a filter. They either use a Davco (on their early "conversion") or a sock zip-tied over a mesh water strainer.

I am shocked that the car was running being in NY with a lovecrap/lovecraft system. The shop my friend takes his 300TD to has a line of dead cars streaming in that won't fire.

If you safely managed to blow all the Fuel out of the Fuel Lines that leaves a lot of air that has to be purged out even before it gets to the Lift Pump itself.
After having removed and re-installed my IP on my Volvo and I also changed the Fuel Filter I hooked up and electric Fuel Pump (there is no hand primer at all). Even with the Electric Fuel Pump took what seemed like a long time to get Fuel up to the filter.
I am thinking that the air pressure from an Air Compressor is higher than the Fuel Pressure and it is possible that the air pressure could have disloged/damaged something.

Well.. now it wont run when cold. I think it may be time to upgrade to a differet car since it's also smoking and cosuming oil.
Hopefully it's just out oftiming and the glow plugs need to be replace. Won't know until I finish working on my 300sd.

Oil consumption typically, means a seal of some sort-valve guide, oil pan gasket, head gasket, front or rear main, or piston ring. Research on single tanking with a barely heated system, especially in colder climes may lead you to a conclusion many have already come to regarding the lovecraft conversion.

So, as one who does not as some seem to, sanctify the 61X, I still encourage you to take this negative result and feed it into decisions you make about use and modification of engines that follow it in your life. Other comments which follow may seem less measured or polite.