Hi, I have a 2001 Escort 55 van 1.8d (non turbo), with an endura engine. After recent starting problems, I fitted new glow plugs - no better. I thought it may be a fuel problem , so I pulled off the pipe from the fuel filter and tried pressing the primer a few times. Very little fuel came out, so I took off the fuel filter to see if that looked blocked. It seemed ok so I put it all back together again and now it wont fire up at all. I suspect this may be something to do with the fact the fuel filter was empty when I refitted it. Any help will be sincerely appreciated.

Thanks in advance

I had a similar issue so I decided to service my van (98 escort 55) changed the plugs, oil & filter & fuel filter.

The fuel filter must be at least half filled when its put back on then prime it a couple times.

If it still doesn't fire after that then it might be the diaphragm on the fuel filter that's causing air to leak in. ( the black bit you push down)

I had to take it of, strip it & rebuild it.

No problems since ;)

Hth

Hi Hth, Thanks for reply, I'll strip fuel filter down and have a look. From what you've said it sounds as though the diaphragm is damaged.

Thanks again

Ted

Common fault on this engine, first replace the glow plugs with a Bosch set, don't fit cheap glow plugs, secondly the fuel primer has a habit to leak back to the tank, it may be worth replacing the primer unit and filter, the filters are very cheap even the Motorcraft ones from Ford, check also under the air filter box that it has not rubbed through a fuel return pipe again a common fault, I have a turbo diesel van and always give it two heats on the initial start which helps, it wouldn't go wrong to check your battery connections are clean and earth to body has a good connection.