Buddy has a 97 that he ran out of diesel. I spent 20 minutes trying to bleed fuel lines. Have fuel at the inlet of the pump, but after a couple minutes of on and off cranking still cant get fuel at the lines even out of the pump. What can I do>?

Extended cranking is really hard on the starter if you don't give it several minutes of cool down.
If it is a manual try tow starting. If you tow make sure the fuel solenoid is fully up. Use your hand or bump the starter.
BTW, did you check the fuel is solenoid fully up?

You'll probably have to crack the first 3 injector lines to get it running.

I have never had to crack injector lines on a 12V. Are you getting solid fuel at the pump or is it aerated? I suspect that you just need to keep bleeding some more. The injection pump holds an incredible amount of fuel so you need to fill it before it will put fuel to your injectors.

Randy, pump that lift pump button until she is singing for quite a while. I use a garden hoe, gives you a good pump handle.

I have never, ever had to bleed my high side lines, not to say you don't though, if you hear the overflow valve hissing or singing while you pump, the P7100 should be full of fuel.

i had the same problem, i could pump the lift for an hour crack the lines and crank then re prime and crank. i had fuel at the pump inlet and at the overflow. but could never get to hold pressure to run the truck. the lift pump was dead. change the pump primed the system truck started right up.

BTW, did you check the fuel is solenoid fully up?

+1

I had mine stay down twice. Once after I had the batteries disconnected for several days while I did the intercooler and then again today after I was done replacing the lift pump, fuel tank pickup, fuel filter and fuel lines. I pumped the primer until fuel came out of the fuel filter housing, then I went to start it and no dice. I left the key in the run position, pulled the plunger up by hand, and with a few seconds of cranking it fired up. I don't know why it does it after leaving the batteries disconnected overnight but it did it both times now and it starts without fail every other time I go to use it.

John

I don't know why it does it after leaving the batteries disconnected overnightMy bet is the blue wire (fusible link) at the driver's side battery is corroded. This supplies the juice to lift the solenoid.
The wire may be corroded far down inside the insulation where you can't see it.
When you move your battery clamp around you are probably breaking connection on the corroded part. After the the juice flows long enough the bad connection welds itself back together.

Very interesting. I'll have to take a look at it. If I disconnect the wires for a little while they're fine. If I let the truck sit for 4 weeks, it starts fine.

John