Doubt you burned up the pump. Get someone to turn the key while you listen either under the car or take off the gas cap and listen there.
If you made a habit of it. It seems doubtful it would be one-time.It is quite possible it could be the Pump.
Starting fluid in the intake of a Cruze? With a plastic intake!!! Yikes.. I wouldn't recommend that. Please be careful. This isn't an all aluminum system or an old 4 barrel carb. If the intake cracks it's over $350 for just the part. That's an internet price, not a dealer counter price..You might be able to shoot some starting fluid into the intake to get it to fire up and see if it runs long enough to fill the fuel system and keep running.
I forgot that the Cruze is a return less system. Meaning there's no fuel return from the fuel rail back to the tank. Not only should the user depress the shraeder valve to see if there's fuel with a rag, but he may have to release built up air pressure in the line.There's a Schraeder valve on the end of the fuel rail. Check for pressure there with a screwdriver and rag in hand.
If there is little pressure, listen for the fuel pump to run when flipping the key to "run" position. If you hear that, try cycling the key on and off (not starting) 10+ times. It will prime the fuel system each time.
The pump is internally, not externally, cooled by the fuel flowing through it.It is quite possible it could be the Pump. The last 3.5 gallons are basically used to cool the pump, not for driving use. Sure if I was stuck in the middle of nowhere I would use every last drop and hopefully you still have some warranty left and the CRUZE doesn't narc on you while seeking a repair!
I can agree with this, mounting the fuel regulator in the fuel tank, that is one heck of a long line. While its safer to use a fuel pressure tester, has a long drain hose that can go into a contain with a side release valve, good get by with a rag. Just keep it away from any electrical or flames.What he said. There's probably fuel up to the regulator and you need to purge the air out of the fuel lines from there on up.