Bleeding fuel line on a Yanmar 3GM30F marine diesel

I go through and explain how I bled the fuel line on my engine, a 1986 Yanmar 3GM30F diesel. This winter I had started to drain the Racor to replace the fuel filters and then changed my mind and decided to do it in spring. I forgot to close the Racor top vent and so when I went to start it, all that air went straight through the fuel lines. It ran for about 5-7 minutes and then died. So, I had to bleed it all out. Thankfully, I was able to get it running without having to crack the fuel injectors.

[@cristytaylor3017]

This was very helpful, particularly the part about bleeding the screw over by the fuel injector, (lots of air still came, as you said) and for us (dad was helping ...as in my boat, but didn't know how) it still wasn't catching until opening up one of the 3 chambers....on 2 cylinders it caught, he closed the 3rd, and finally a few hours spent trying to bleed it out, finally got it! Thanks for sharing....we'd worked hard and done the first parts, but the last had been missing and wasn't at all in the manual. So 👍 thanks!

[@rtanders1981]

That's awesome, I'm so glad you found it helpful!

[@sailingsencilla1119]

My dude. Today my engine didn't' start. First thing in the Op manual is bleed the engine (after having diesel in the tank). I had no idea how to do that. Watched a few videos didn't really give me clear view of what I should do and the manual is a little difficult to follow. I watched this video (I have the same engine) and took me like 25 minutes and had my engine going. Thanks boss you the man.

[@rtanders1981]

Hey that’s awesome man! I just saw this comment. I also had a bit of a time searching for videos on this. I actually ended up taking advice from a few different videos and combining them into what I did here. Glad it worked for you!

[@raganriley]

The finger pump on the LP pump took me about 15 seconds when I primed from the primary to secondary filter. You need to push past the free play on the finger pump before it starts moving fluid. I have seen a few videos that gets this wrong. That being said, good trick you posted.

[@bartncharity]

This video is awesome!! Thanks for being so thorough. I’m gunna bleed my lines today.

[@EricJohnson-pu9fg]

Very informative video but a CRITICAL WORD OF CAUTION!!! If you open the (de) compression levers to turn the engine over in order to bleed your fuel system (or even just crank it for a extended period with them shut to bleed the system) BE SURE TO FIRST CLOSE THE ENGINE SALT WATER INTAKE THRU HULL VALVE. If you don't you run the very real risk of back flushing water from your exhaust system into your engine cylinders and filling them with sea water. This will cause a hydro lock and lock up your engine. And unless you IMMEDIATELY remove the injectors, turn the engine over by hand to force the sea water out, then dump oil down the injector hole, your engine is TOAST! Sea water in your cylinders for more than a very short times will seize the engine. And depending on how many times you tried to crank on it when it was hydro locked, it may be toast even if you do get oil in the cylinders anyway. I SPEAK FROM EXPERIENCE...

[@rtanders1981]

@@EricJohnson-pu9fg thanks for adding that insight. Very informative! Not something I had thought about or was aware of.

[@milt9223]

Helpful thanks

[@rtanders1981]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stucraig7462]

Great video. I will try the pump from the main water seperater. One thing, if you open the cmmpression arms, only crank engine over for 8 to 10 seconds and give it a couple minutes rest between next attempt.

[@SwitcherTrain]

Awesome video man

[@rtanders1981]

Thank you! Glad you found it useful!

[@DAVEEMAN1]

I am a first timer. Thank you that helped.

[@rtanders1981]

Nice! Yeah, that was my first time too!

[@tobagotom]

Thanks for the great video

[@rtanders1981]

You're welcome! I'm glad folks are getting some use out of it. Took me a while to figure all that out!

[@richardarmentrout5303]

The lift pump runs on a cam. If it is on the cam lobe you won’t get a full pump stroke with that lever.

[@milt9223]

Less click click click with wrench 😮

[@thespicablethinker7950]

Ryan. I have to replace the lone right after the lift pump. I got the parts and everything. Any tips?

[@rtanders1981]

Yes, make sure you close the fuel switch. The negative pressure will keep the fuel from just flowing out unchecked when you open the line. Mine is on my tank. Others are on the line inside the aft cabin or elsewhere along that path. This will help limit the air that gets into the line also. Put a bowl under the line when you take it off to catch the fuel. Should be pretty straightforward. Just crack the nut on the secondary fuel filter when you are done and pump the primary and you should be good. Let me know how it goes.

[@rtanders1981]

Also, follow Spelunkerd on YT. The man is a Yanmar Wizard.

[@s.v.gadder1443]

You didn't press the lift pulp handle down enough .... j.s.