[MarkSF]

On my Universal 5424, bleeding is a 3-step process :

1) The Racor filter (well I have a Fram, but the principle is the same)
2) At the housing for the filter on the engine
3) Finally, and often forgotten, at the bleed screw on the bottom of the fuel injection pump on the engine.

I have an electric lift pump so all I do is step 1 with ignition off, then 2 and 3 with the ignition on. The above order is important, for obvious reasons.

I have personally experienced doing only 1 and 2, and starting the engine, only to have it die. The final step at the injection pump is an essential one.

 

[MarkSF]

I should mention that by "bleed" I mean open the screw until pure fuel with no air bubbles comes out.

 

[MarkSF]

It would be rather helpful if you could tell us exactly what model engine you are talking about.

The manual for the 54xx series is here :

http://www.ewmanchester.com/CalDocs/Universal Diesel_5411_5416_5424_5432_Owners Manual.pdf

It describes the decompression lever, and has detailed instructions on bleeding the fuel system

 

[MarkSF]

Splendid! At the heart of the problem is the fact that the high pressure / dosing fuel pump can't tolerate the slightest amount of air in the fuel hence the reason there's a bleed screw on it.