fuel problem on a diesel

[Gazza61]

Can anyone help ? I am having problems with the fuel system sucking air on my ford diesel.I got it started by taking the vent screw out of the top of the fuel filter and filling it up with clean diesel. My question is - should the fuel filter be full of diesel when you look in the top because I couldn't see any diesel in it when I removed the vent screw. The Haynes manual isn't much help on this as it just advises to put diesel in the filter if you suspect an air lock. It is one of the "self bleeding" systems (DI Endura engine) that doesn't have a bleed nipple and the small pump button to bring the fuel through.
Thanks in advance for any advice.

[TWR]

Hi, if you have changed the Derv Filter & replaced the " O" rubber seal's, fill up the derv filter replace then prime untill the air is cleared and derv is coming through the fiter.

[chas2008]

is this a Mondeo ? certain fords are a nightmare unless you know the trick !! Garages (including main dealers ) use a brake bleeder or similiar to suck the diesel through, its the only way. I have seen a qualified mechanic spend hours trying until someone pointed him in the right direction.
Ford main dealers get vehicles recovered in on a regular basis to get them back on the road after what should have been a 5min job changing a fuel filter on a sunday afternoon,doh!