Starting Issues

Hi all,

This is my first post so sorry if it’s a rambling one, but I’m hoping for some advice from people who know about these things and apologies in advance for a long post!

So I have a 2010 plate Fiesta Zetec S TDCI. Obviously it’s an old car, in fairness I bought it in about 2014 with about 40,000 on it and its now on about 160,000 miles and I’ve never had any issues until now. It’s been a great car. 
 

A couple of weeks ago I went to drop my daughter off and it wouldn’t start. I called the AA who sprayed some easy start and it started and got me through the whole of the day. He said that he couldn’t find any fault codes, the battery was fine, coolant and oil was fine so suspected there was an air lock.

I went to start it the next morning and once again it didn’t start. I wasn’t able to get the AA out that day since I was off out with my daughter but called them the next day.

They turned up and after some more investigation said that the fuel pressure seemed to be a bit “up and down”. Again couldn’t not find any fault codes etc. But they got it started and followed me to a local garage and explained the situation to them.

The next afternoon I was able to collect my car as it was starting ok and he had just changed the fuel filter (It was serviced less than a year ago). But he did say he thought there was a slight misfire and it could be an injector. But suggested I see how it goes and take it back if there’s more issues.

So it’s been a couple of weeks now and been pretty good but yesterday and today it starts ok but it does shake slightly when idle and the audible sound of the engine drops slightly now and again at which point I panic thinking it’s about to stall.
 

I have another question here, what is the normal amount of idle revs? Mines about 750 or at least it is since I started paying attention the past 2 weeks. And until today I’ve noticed the car got to that number smoothly and they stayed steady. I started it this evening and it jumped around slightly and only for a moment before settling on 750. I should also add, since I’ve been paying attention recently there is a small amount of white smoke from the exhaust upon starting, but say I turn the engine off then start it again, there’s no white smoke the second time if that makes sense?

I think I’m stressing myself out since A) If the car is a bit shaky when idle I worry it’s misfiring and B) If it’s very smooth and quiet I think it’s about to stall 😂

Has anyone had any similar experiences? Whenever I google it the things that seem to keep coming are are injectors or glow plugs. Whoever you speak to about glow plugs instantly winces and says “I hate doing glow plugs” 😭