Hello - this problem concerns a Ford 1.8 diesel turbo-intercooled engine, but whilst I'm posting under the Escort heading, it's actually fitted as OEM equipment to an agricultural vehicle; however as far as I can tell the installation closely matches a typical car job ( the only difference is that there is no ECU).

The problem is starting - from cold the engine fires up well, and for 5 to 10 seconds runs and revs up okay to my ears, but then starts to run very irregularly and soon stops. It then doesn't start , or runs very badly, until it has been left for a while, and then it runs and stops as before; this suggests fuel starvation ( of course ?) but I can't find any blockages. Most of the pipework is new, the tank has been cleaned, a new filter fitted and its holder cleaned; the only thing I can think is whether there is a small filter in the Lucas injector pump ( type F18.1TC1.10 ) body that is cunningly hidden from casual view.

Any suggestions as to what I should try next will be gratefully received - thanks in advance.