Cannondaleriders

Is it normal for the fuel system to hold pressure for 12 or so hours? When I start this machine, I have to prime it once, let it sit for 10 minutes, then it will start, if I don't wait it won't start Also, sometimes when I crank on it several times to start it the pump will let out a noise, like a shriek, then I have to tap the pump to get to work again. The pump has great return flow and also in the filter, plus the quick connects are gone. Any ideas? Thanks.

Sounds like the fuel pump is warning you of its impending doom... usually they just lock up without notice. With enough supply to them which you have already done they live alot longer and generally are reliable and last a long time.
There are some aftermarket alternatives however they can range from quite pricey to mayby less than but then you gotta deal with mounting something non-stock.
I just grab used ones here and there and take my chances on ebay but you can probably get a used one or a new one from Dave. Keep you old one for an emergency back up.
The starting procedure you described sounds odd for a weak pump tho. A good pump might not help. My procedure is to prime it a couple of times without cranking and then give it the start after the pump runs for a second the third time.

Only other thing I could think of is it is way rich cold start fuel mass. But that wouldn't account for the pump not running. Have you done a pressure check? If you prime it multiple times does it fire immediately?

The fuel pump has a check valve and the factory fuel regulators will usually keep the system pressurized for a very long time. (sometimes days).
If you have to tap on the fuel pump to make it work then the brushes are most likely shot or there is a possibilty your terminals are loose /corroded. If your fittings are gutted and its still squealing then I'd check the intake screen in the tank and the fuel filter. I hope nobody is still using the crap lawn mower filters from the factory. Get the big FRAM G2 or any big filter off the shelf with the same barbs.

I would also make sure when you gutted your fittings you blew the hose out so no chunks/springs are blocking the lines. A ripped external o-ring on the suction quick connect can bleed air into the system and still not show as leak on the fitting. Since yours is squealing I'd check that first as squealing indicates cavitation from too much resistance and air in the suction side.

The pump seems to build up too much pressure, if thats possible. The tank has barbed fittings screwed into the tank (03 style) with the hose connected to the fittings. Swapped the pump today, still didn't start, no squeal though. I was ready to give up for now, pulled the relay on the ecu tray just for grins, it fired right up! One thing though, when I pulled the supply line to the fuel pump, from the tank (the bottom line) it kept flowing fuel, I didn't think it would run up through the draw line, it is uphill, had to pinch the fuel line to stop it from flowing. Thanks.

Are you sure you have the lines to the fuel regulator on correctly? It sure sounds like you have a blockage or the lines to the regulator backwards.

Thats a good question kdeal, I will check. Would it still run if the lines were wrong?

For a short amount of time. It builds up pressure like crazy though!

Good catch Kdeal! I bet thats what it is. Did it myself once.

I'm only thinking this way because the pump seems to be making every effort to run (a squeeling pump is a sign of abnormal high pressure). With the disconnects gutted it has to be a restriction or reverse flow, so I believe it has to be an obstruction like John states above, a kinked fuel line or a reversed connection causing extreme pressure. I only guessed it because I have been there done that!

Think of when the first quad burnt to the ground due to rotted fuel lines, I made new ones for the whole system..... SO those two lines on the regulator got reversed (didn't think it made a difference before then!).