1998 ford 250 diesel, changed fuel filter and now the truck coughs and chokes like gas is not getting to engine. Does it need to have the gas line bled? If so how?

Many things to check. Wonder if this work was done to alleviate problem or problem was from doing the work.

Putting gas fumes in a 21:1 compression cylinder is sure way to ruin engine.

2 possible problems are losing your diesel fuel draw from an air leak in the fuel lines and an inoperative glow plug timer.

When you change a fuel filter you lose the vacuum lock that is in the fuel lines. Some mechanics add fuel to the new filter to remove some of the air and promote fuel draw. The O rings on the injector lines are a special type which resists petroleum products. Using cheap O rings will cause problems.

Glow plug timer-there is a power Relay to the timer and the timer itself is a type of Relay. You should hear clicking noise and lights should dim as timer provides power to the glow plugs.

Other things to check would be the Vacuum pump as Diesels work differently than gas engines and require a pump to supply Vacuum. Covering the intake suggests engine needs a Vacuum draw.

Weak fuel pump. Too weak to pressurize or draw fuel. Can be measured with pressure gauges.

Really bad rings could also cause symptoms.

Would be interested knowing what proved to be wrong.

follow fuel lines from gas tank to engine are any lines crushed. next replace fuel filter. check to be sure fuel filter is installed in right direction. arrow on fuel filter should point toward engine. double check that fuel lines are connected properly, some fuel pumps have three fuel lines one for pressure , one for return and one vent line.last possible bad fuel pump from factory

Have someone retime the engine. In a diesel it means to time the injection pump. You may have wear in the timing chain or gears. But the fuel ratio can be made rich or lean by when the fuel hits the cylinder.

Try that first as it is cheaper. You can have worn injectors and adding a cleaner will make the fuel run through faster. Possibly spray a little better, but it will not make the fuel nozzles any tighter.

sounds like you got somethin in your tank or lines. Do you only have one fuel filter? Did you change your air filter by a chance? Start ther then let us know

first, is this a diesel? if it is there is a line or oring loose allowing it to **** air--diesels dont like leaks like that and there is a whole procedure for voiding the air from the lines on diesels. next could be the in tank pump and also does it have duel tanks? does the duel tank switch work? running out of fuel with in tank pumps can burn up the pump (the fuel itself provides lubrication and cooling for the pump, gas or diesel) and of course check the filter, running out and refilling could have disturbed trash in the tank

There are 2 fuel filters. One on the engine to the right of the oil filter. The other one is on the left frame rail . I hope this helps

dirt in the fuel system wont help your problem flush or blow out your lines

if there are two clips going trough the filter line pull them out then stay clear & pull the line out if not there is no clips then you will need ford filter removal tool you can get them at any parts store there are about 30 bucks for the set

This is NOT good! You can try bleeding the fuel system first. More than likely, air is trapped in the fuel lines, injector, and injector lines. Bleed at the fuel pump, (On the fuel pump to injector pump side), then the injector pump, then each line.

(You have to loosen the fitting to each line to each part, then when the air is bled out, and fuel comes through steadily, close it)

I also suggest an attorney to resolve the problem, as there may be damage. Pistons could have holes in them. Do a compression check.

Usually diesel's have 16:1 ratio compression. Today's gasoline engines have anywhere from 8:1, to 8.5:1, to maybe 9.0:1, (Maybe)

I'm willing to bet though, that you just have air in the system, and it needs to be fully bled out.
There is NO half stepping on this!
You have to start at the source, loosen each fitting, bleed the air out, and continue on down the line.

i had the same problem with the same exact kind of truck... it is the fuel injectors take it to your local shop and have them test them