Nissan patrol 4.2l diesel. intermittent problem on startup.. Engine always starts but a few minutes later starts to smoke and sputter and finally shut off.. I always have to reprime the main filter using the manual priming pump on top of the main filter. all my glow plugs are new,, filters were changed about 6 months ago. Retightened all fuel line clamps, any suggestions?
To me, that sounds like a air is getting into the system up high somewhere, such as a fuel line near the filter (yes you tightened them but an old hose can still leak), could also be the seals on the fuel filter itself, the tap at the base of the fuel filter, or the primer pump seals.
Last time mine exhibited those symptoms it was just the big seal on top of the fuel filter leaking, easy fix.
Definitely air in the system. The primer on the filter head could even be sucking in a little air. By pass the filter head with an inline filter and see what happens.
A sneaky tiny pin prick TD42 fuel filter hole (up cannister top)also caused us months of intermittent confusing grief some years back.
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Much appreciated . will check all the seals, this is a real pain in the mornings.. ha ha.. will let you know how it turns out..