air leaks in fuel line?

[Greg Young]

We are in Fort Stockton TX at the Fort Stockton RV Park. The owner isa former Detroit Diesel mechanic and has been helping me diagnose and fix a problem, but we are stymied... I will try to explain the sequence of events:

86 PT40, DD 8V92 Silver

Two of the small fuel lines (one the crossover fromright block to left block, the otherthe feed from the secondary filter to theright block)failed due to abrasion against one another and started leaking.We stopped in Fort Stockton (having probably lost about 30 gals of diesel on the road and our tow car). I cobbled together a couple of new hoses and have replaced the ailing hoses. I took the opportunity to replace theprimaryand secondary fuel filters which were both due.Our friends at CCW had replaced the Racorfilter with a Detroit Diesel382 filter, which uses a Donaldson P550467 cartridge. Now, we are able to fill the filter body and the main fuel line from the tank to the filter with fuel (andthe secondary filter too) toprime the engine, but after starting the engine as soon as the fuelin the filters is depleted the enginestops.
I swear I have not touched themain fuel lines!It appears weare getting air into the fuel line, but we can't figure out where. Any thoughts on diagnosis?

Remember that I'm not really a diesel mechanic. I just play one on TV.

No really, I don't know muchabout this stuff, but am picking up what I can.

Thanks!

Greg Young

1986 PT40

Currently closing towards the end of a 5 month,15,000 miles trip, having survived transmission leaks, 2 weeks at Burning Man, oil leaks,almost overheating, water temperatutre overheat switchfailure,two flat tires on the tow car...the list is long, and I'm proud that this is the first time I've had to ask for help to the group. (Though Curt took a call when the enginegot hot...)

Each time you judge yourself you break your heart.
-Kirpal Venanji