[Barbara J]

My (52) fiesta has an intermittent starting problem, particularly after it has been parked overnight. The only way it will start is by using the hand primer to pump the air out of the adjacent fuel pipes which at times contain no visible fuel. The hand primer, fuel filter and associated pipes have been renewed together with the return pipes from the injectors but air is still getting in. There is no obvious leakage of fuel from anywhere so I presume as air gets in fuel perhaps returns to the fuel tank. Has anyone any thoughts on this annoying problem?

[Hometune]

Try fitting some new injector seals. Make sure everything is 100% spotlessly clean as any small particle of dirt under the seals may cause an air leak.

[Barbara J]

Originally Posted by Hometune

Try fitting some new injector seals. Make sure everything is 100% spotlessly clean as any small particle of dirt under the seals may cause an air leak.

Thanks for your reply. It took ages to start this morning and when it did, there were loads of fine bubbles in the fuel in what I think is the return pipe to the tank. I don't want to continue spending money for the garage to bit by bit replace the fuel system until they find the part that sorts this problem. Are there any specific symptoms that leaky injector seals would produce?

[Hometune]

The garage needs to put a vacuum pump to the return line and see if it holds. If it doesn't the injector seals or the return pipe seals are leaking. Not hard to test!
In the meantime, before trying to start the car, open the bonnet and squeeze the hand primer on the top of the engine - driver's side - half a dozen times. This will save your battery and starter motor.