fuel pump problem?

[srdtvr]

I've been doing a few jobs on my S3 which started with a slight feul leak from the tank swirl pot seal. Drained tank-sorted seal.While tank was dry thought it would be a good time to replace the hose from tank to pump-so far so good- new hose from Custom Hoses in Watford.All done plus usual scraping of crappy plastic coating of chassis and loads of red smooth Hammerite + Waxoyle in the usual places.Put some petrol back in-won't start.Pump makes a bit of a different sound a bit like it's pumping air- cuts out when pressures up but engine won't fire up.Is there air in the system or have I disturbed some sh1t into the pump which has a valve sytem built-in to prevent over pressurisation (according to the BIBLE).I've cracked off the connection on the pressure side of the pump expecting fuel to p*ss out-but it didn't. Have I got to drain the tank again and strip the pump? Any ideas please- I'm missing what might be this years summer.

[GreenV8S]

Does fuel seep out when you slacken the hose between the tank and the pump? Are the wires the right way round on the pump? (They're handed on mine, but may not be on yours.) If the pump has sucked in cr*p from the bottom of the tank it may have blocked the pre-filter mesh inside the tank, or damaged the pump itself? Otherwise I'm all out of ideas, sorry.