Reluctant starting after filter change

[Gregory Guineapig]

I've just changed the oil and all three filters on my 2004 V40 diesel sport estate. All went reasonably well, except that initially the gasket under the fuel filter cover didn't seat properly (really difficult to get the fuse box far enough out of the way for comfortable access). I wasn't aware of this until subsequent testing when the car was struggling for fuel and eventually died on me.

When pumping the priming bulb, I could hear a hissing sound, so took the filter cover off again, reseated the seal, primed again, and all was fine. Went for a couple of miles and had full power again.

However, the car is a little reluctant to start now. Before I changed the filter it would fire after a couple of turns. Now it needs to be cranked a bit and likes a little throttle to get going. Assuming the fuel system must have purged itself of air by now, I suspect I still have a poor seal on the filter cap. When tightening the cover fixing bolt, it felt as if it had come to the end of its thread, rather than tightening down against the seal. But no smell of diesel and no signs of leaks, so a bit confused.

Anybody had similar problem?

Thanks

[clarkey1984]

I don't know if it's an official method but on anything diesel I personally start it and then very carefully and slowly, and only a tiny little bit, gently crack each injector a minuscule amount (17mm open ended usually) for a couple of seconds on each, just enough to get a small amount of fuel escaping, some bubbles initially is a very good sign that you've purged some trapped air, do this a couple of times on each injector and you should be good to go.

[Gregory Guineapig]

Originally Posted by clarkey1984

I don't know if it's an official method but on anything diesel I personally start it and then very carefully and slowly, and only a tiny little bit, gently crack each injector a minuscule amount (17mm open ended usually) for a couple of seconds on each, just enough to get a small amount of fuel escaping, some bubbles initially is a very good sign that you've purged some trapped air, do this a couple of times on each injector and you should be good to go.

Thanks for the tip, clarkey. That's how I used to purge my old Landrover and the Austin lorry I had many years ago.