Mazda 6 won't restart after emptying fuel separator

[CDP]

My 2005 Mazda 6 diesel wouldn't start this morning and the water in fuel light was illuminated. Please could somebody shed some light as while I'm familiar with petrol cars I don't know much about diesel.

I followed the instructions in the handbook and took bottom screw out of the fuel pump and pushed the primer plunger 7 times as recommended. There was some water in it but a fair bit of diesel came out.

It still wouldn't start with quite a bit of cranking. I've tried loosening the screw to prime it again but it still won't go. Does anybody know long do I typically need to crank after partially emptying the fuel filter.

I'm wondering if I've now got air in the injector lines - some of the forums are suggesting this, again is bleeding the system a case of cracking the unions on the injectors and hand priming?

Thanks for your help.

[CDP]

Wondering whether holding down the accelerator on a diesel helps start the way it can on a petrol? Any ideas please?

[Athlon]

Tighten the screw and pump the primer until it goes solid, try and start it and it should be fine

[CDP]

Athlon said:

Tighten the screw and pump the primer until it goes solid, try and start it and it should be fine

Thanks. Me and the RAC bloke both tried and it didn't work but good advice all the same.

[sunbeam alpine]

If you have a compressor available, you could try putting some pressure on the fuel tank to force fuel through the system. Use a rag around the air line, but don't use too much pressure! I have to do this sometimes on a couple of our machines when they run out of diesel.

[pennswoodsed]

Have never seen that car as it's not sold here . You have lost prime, can be a pain on some vehicles ,you need to fill fuel /water separator with fuel or something close. Kero or atf or diesel fuel conditioner will work. Generally only talking about 12-16 ounces so .
Luck,Ed

[CDP]

Thought I'd lost prime but it turned out to be the fuel solenoid. With diagnostics and fitting came to £258. Wooleys in Hingham, Norfolk providing their usual good service. Could have been much worse.

[Sylvaforever]

how does the water in fuel light have anything to do with the solenoid?

mind you my car worked one day then didn't

just like that.

naff. £99

ho hum

[CDP]

It had stalled while cold every now and again prior to the light coming on. Didn't seem serious so I had discounted it.

I suspect I'd introduced air to the system while letting the water out of the filter and by not bleeding it properly exaggerated the existing problem.

Unsure but I now have a working car again. Other garages had refused to touch it.