escort 1.8 diesel van 1994 hard starting?

i had the timing belt replaced about a month ago and couldn't get it to start up again, found out that the injector pump needed to be advanced slightly.I also i changed the fuel filter whiched helped

j
April 2008

compression has been checked and is said to be all ok by the local mechanic.
metal pipework is all ok.
heater plugs already been changed.

Everytime it runs i can run it for a while and by the time i switch it off it has drained the fuel filter of fuel and i have to prime it again i blown out the fuel lines and no blockages are apparent?
also its extremely down on power now too.
wont pull in second gear at all!!!!
HHHHHEEEELLLLPPPP!!!!

ADAM
April 2008

Couple of possibilities here.
1. only hard to start from cold? Replace the heater plugs.
2. hard to start all the time ? Check the metal fuel pipes running along under the floor, the feed pipe (larger diameter) may be perforated - common problem on older vans.
3. poor compression, try a fuel additive to clean up the valves etc.

joe
March 2008