Priming Fuel Filter Canister?

Hi- I recently replaced the fuel/water separator filter on my 89 SN 2001. It’s the filter with the original canister. I emptied and cleaned out the canister prior to installing the new filter. Now, I’m not getting gas to coming out of the fuel pump to the carburetor. I am getting the air pulses coming from the fuel pump, just no gas. Tried cranking many times. Do you have to prime the pump or fill the canister after installation prior to restarting? There is a brass plug at the top of the canister but I’m not sure what it’s for. What am I missing?   Thanks for any help here! -Gene

Thanks. I literally tried to crank the engine for an hour or so being careful not to over heat the starter. I took outlet line off of the fuel pump just to confirm no fuel. Is there anything else I should do to get the pump primed? Also, I was referring to the brass plug at the top of the canister (on the lid). What’s it for?

Take the flame arrestor off, dump a little gas down the primary bores of the carburetor and it should fire right up, it may stall once or twice and need another shot of gas each time till the filter canister is full and things are back to normal and it stays running. Rev it up some to get that pump doing some good pumping. and your canister will fill right up.

The fuel pump will suck a lot better when the engine is primed and then running as compared to cranking it over at a few hundred RPM's.

Put the arrestor back in place just in case of a backfire so it can do it's job.

You could also do a shot of starting fluid instead of gas, but that would start way too many arguments about starting fluid

KENO wrote: Take the flame arrestor off, dump a little gas down the primary bores of the carburetor and it should fire right up, it may stall once or twice and need another shot of gas each time till the filter canister is full and things are back to normal and it stays running. Rev it up some to get that pump doing some good pumping. and your canister will fill right up. The fuel pump will suck a lot better when the engine is primed and then running as compared to cranking it over at a few hundred RPM's. Put the arrestor back in place just in case of a backfire so it can do it's job. You could also do a shot of starting fluid instead of gas, but that would start way too many arguments about starting fluid

+1

What KENO said. I stay away from starting fluid. I pour a couple of tablespoons of fuel down the carb bore. The engine usually fires off quickly. As Ken said, you may have to do this more than once. Saftety tip...keep the gas container well clear just in case you get a backfire out the carby.

The engine will turn over many more times when fired up from fuel down the carby vs. cranking with the starter. Bad ju-ju for the starter, too.

JQ

Check the gasket on the filter canister. Don't ask how I know this. It may not be seated or it's not tight enough.

With that extra info, I think Desertskier's suggestion sounds good

If your gasket is tight and the filter is all buttoned up and still no luck, hook up a temporary tank to the pump suction and see if it runs.

If it runs, move the temporary tank back to the filter inlet and see if it runs.

I figure Desertskier has your solution though

Great tips. To close this loop, I took off the canister and verified that the seal was intact. Filled it up with gas, re-installed it, squirted the carb with fuel a few more times and it worked. I think the canister was loose and not sealing properly. Great call-out desertskier. Thanks again for all the help!