On Thu, 23 Jun 2005 12:52:28 +1000, Sir Lex
Yet another suggestion. From not a ford owner. It's to do with how the car gets to know it 'should' run - is for the fuel pump to fire up on start? A dud valve in the system will allow fuel pressure to disappear overnight, but not necessarily dump enough pressure to cause hard starting within a few hours. For instance, some accept a signal from the crank angle sensor, and some need airflow over their air mbutt sensor - either way, the engineers set things up so if the engine mysteriously stops of it's own volition -or a prang has happened, then the fuel pump has to be stopped. So your test for the leak-down would be easy enough if the safety aspect doesn't get in the way by requiring a turning engine or air-flow to tell the ECU to let the fuel pump relay fire.
Like, find out which system is there (and some here will know) and figure a way to fool the ecu into thinking the engine is running before you attempt a start. This proves out the dud valve theory.
Ah bugger-it - you get my meaning? -- Toby. quidquid latine dictum sit, altum viditur
