Changed fuel filter, now won't start

Ok, here goes...

On Saturday, I changed the air filter and fuel filter the freelander (L-series). With the fuel filter, I undid the fuel lines in and out, re-connected them to the new filter, undid the bleed screw, pumped the bulb on the fuel line until diesel flowed from it and tightened it back up. Did a quick check to see if it would start, which it did 1st turn of the key, no problem - ran it for about 30 secs then switched off.

My other half then went to use the car on Monday and it would not start. After much faffing about trying to re-beed the system, I noticed that even when the bleed screw on the filter was as tight as possible, onnce fuel pressure built up, it was leaking from the bleed screw. So, I figured I had a faulty filter...

Bought a new one today, and have just gone to fit it and re-bleed. On this new filter, the bleed screw on top of the filter is a bolt, which will not unscrew. It actually looks to have some form what looks like glue around the bolt. Either that, or I'm not turning it hard enough, but to turn it any harder I'm going to have to put it in a vice - surely that can't be right for a sodding bleed screw?

In any case, I've had to give up as the battery is now flat from keep trying to start it, so is on charge. The thing that I can't work out is if any air is left in there, surely it's not enough to cause it not to start? When I removed the filter with the faulty bleed screw, the fuel line running from the filter to the engine was full of fuel, so I don't see how it's being starved that much? The leak on the faulty filter was only minor - i had to shine a torch on it to notice; would that be enough for it not to start?

Also, can anyone offer any suggestion as to this bleed bolt on the new filter?

I have never known a simple filter change cause this much hassle :doh:

diesels don't need much air in the system and they just won't run, if it is an upright filter try filling it with fuel before fitting

without teaching you suck eggs, do you definitely have it the right way round ?

Yeh, deffo the right way round. Just can't get my head around this bleed bolt.

There's definitely fuel getting through, as the fuel lines are full of diesel, so there's already fuel in the filter.

I might just put the original one back on and see if I can bleed that one, once the battery's charged!

had same prop on my old l series had to call the aa did u when change the filter leave it running for a while after changing filter

Finally got it going! I couldn't undo this bolt on the filter, so I just primed it as best I could and re-connected the battery. Cranked it for 10 secs and nothing. Left it for about 5, then tried cranking again with the throttle fully open and it caught, so I idled it at about 3000rpm for a minute or so, and took it round the block. It's fine now.

Bloody cars!

If you say all the lines are full of fuel (presuming you have cracked the unions on the injectors), have you bled the injector pump? 7mm nipple on top, bled through with hand pump.
If all bled as far as possible, give your battery a charge and if still unable to start, give it a tow start- momentum and the extra force forces the air through the injectors.
Once running, pick up the revs to 2000 for 30 secs to clear system of any remaining air and check for leaks.
Hope this helps,

lol typing at the same time! Glad you got her going!