Starting issues...

[Nick_T]

Hi all, 

Hoping someone can help with this strange starting issue. My dad has a 2007 1.8TDCI Focus, my mum uses the car everyday for work and always starts without issues. After a long run the car sometimes refuses to start as if it's got air in the fuel system, now it only does this after a long run.

I had to use the car over the weekend and did something like 200 miles. I parked the car up and left it a for a few hours, came to start it to move it off the driveway, put it in reverse and it cut out. This has happened 3 or 4 times in the past. Each time it's happened I've had to re prime the fuel filter and bleed the system and it works with no issues. 

So i've ruled out the following: -

Filter housing is solid, no cracks or leaks that could possibly let in air

Only ever used fuel filters from Ford, seal changed each time

No leaky injectors

Is it a possibility that fuel is draining back to the tank and it's drawing in air from somewhere in the pipe? I've even had a suggestion that there is a breather on the tank and it's become blocked, I don't know how true that is and can't see any breather on the parts list. 

Any help much appreciated! 

[isetta]

I had an Escort years ago that had fuel problems, after weeks of problems and messing about, I though i wonder if it is blocked tank vent. so I drove it with fuel cap off and it was fine. So i drilled the smallest hole possible in the cap and it was fine forever after that.  But does yours have a cap you can remove or is it one of those modern ones with no cap?

But if it was a breather problem I think you would notice it causing problems when actually driving, not just when restarting it. 

[Nick_T]

58 minutes ago, isetta said:

I had an Escort years ago that had fuel problems, after weeks of problems and messing about, I though i wonder if it is blocked tank vent. so I drove it with fuel cap off and it was fine. So i drilled the smallest hole possible in the cap and it was fine forever after that.  But does yours have a cap you can remove or is it one of those modern ones with no cap?

But if it was a breather problem I think you would notice it causing problems when actually driving, not just when restarting it. 

It's a solid cap, I have been told to unscrew the cap after a long drive to prevent it happening. On this occasion it did not prevent the issue unfortunately. I just can't understand why it only happens after the car has been driven long distances.