02 defender not starting after running out of fuel

Ho folks new here I need of help. Ran out of fuel one day (oops). Towed it to the garage put half a tank in it and was fine for a couple of weeks. Then started to struggle starting. I was having to purge the system to start it. Now I am purging it all the time to start it. Now most of the time it just turns over like there is abslolutly no diesel in it at all. What cures this is unscrewing the bottom of the flitter for a few seconds tightening it back up purging it twice then it takes about ten seconds to start. But still ocationly still turning like there is no diesel. There is times it just start no problem.

I have had a new filter fitted. All the purging made the pump in the tank seize so got a reconditioned on fitted. All was going ok for a couple of weeks now back to square one if not worse. Also I can feel this pump is starting to go. Even if I get a new pump and fillter again this is clearly not fixing the original problem. There is no smoke coming out it. And once it starts it runs like normal it's just getting it started.
Any help would be so greatful.

Thanks Andrew

:welcome: you should go to the 'Introduce yourself' page and do that bit or someone will come and bite you ...

as for the fuel problem - sounds like you've dragged some ****e up from the bottom of the tank and it's clogging the in line filter(s) ...

keep checking the fuel lines, and bleeding it -

you've learnt the hard way why you shouldn't let a vehicle run right out of fuel ...

wot dips sez...