Mk5 starting problems after not having run

[Riggard]

Hey all,

My ford transit mk5 turbo with lucas system, has starting problems. When the van has not been used for a few days, it becomes really hard to start and has to be cranked several times (like 10-20) to get it started.

In the process of starting it, there's no indication that the engine tries to run, then all of a sudden it starts. It kind of seems like the diesel is not getting to the engine.

Are there any obvious checks that i can do to see where the problem is caused? Didn't find any obvious leaks from the epic pump, it's very clean and almost appears to be overhauled.

[cherniy_chack]

Hello, Riggard!
It is possible that the fuel is leaving the system.
First, you need to take off and check the boost pump under the exhaust manifold. It must pass air through the arrows and must not flow in the opposite direction.
If the booster pump is functional, then one of the nozzles may be faulty and through it the air gets into the system when parking for a long time.

[gotgcoalman]

also check leak off pipes and when was the fuel filter last changed?

[Riggard]

Leak off mod has recently been performed by me, no improvements.
Fuel filter is in ~10k miles

Just checked, both the fuel pipes going to the epic pump, were pretty loose (they should be tightened with a 14mm spanner). tightened that up, tried starting again, but this cold weather isn't that helpful.
Guess i should first loosen the fuel lines going to the injectors to bleed,or is there another way to (vacuum) bleed the system?

[cherniy_chack]

Two years ago I was picking up a friend of mine after a serious accident: the crankshaft broke and the cylinder block was broken.
We bought a block of cylinders without a hole to install a boost pump.
It was a very old block, up to 89 years.
The engine started very poorly if the fuel was less than 1/4 of the tank.
With a full tank engine started well.
Fill a full tank and see how the engine will start.
If your engine is running well with a full tank, then the problem is in the booster pump.