Trouble starting

[DLR1975]

Hi guys new to the forum and would really appreciate any advice, I’ve got a 2005 2.0 turbo swb transit, and yesterday started having problems starting, it will turn over for ages and then splutter into life, and then later in the day it wouldn’t start at all until I bumped it and once started it runs fine, I also noticed if I start when still warm it will start straight away its just when it’s cold, so one of the lads said its probably heater plugs, if this is the case are these difficult to fit could I do this myself??
Thanks in advance
Dave

[Dan T]

It'll not be the heater plugs, these engines don't need the glow plugs to start them unlike many other diesel engines that do.
I'd be looking towards leak back on the fuel system, check to see if the fuel filter is full when it's cold. if it is then the fuel is draining back into the tank.

[Frag]

As above,likely poor quality fuel filter or filter head drawing air allowing fuel to "syphon" back to tank when stood.