As Mike states, do not fill the filter up with fuel before putting it on. You do and it send unfiltered fuel thru the injectors. That goes for any diesel unless you have a John Deere 20 series tractor that comes with the special funnel to pre-fill them. On my 2002 Duramax I don't take anything off to get to the filter.Just nudge the AC lines a bit out of the way and it's fairly easy to get to. I change it every other oil change.

Loosen bleed screw, pump until fuel with no air come out, tighten bleed screw, pump it a few more times. Will crank right up for me every time.