Ford Escort Diesel 1.8 LD - starting problems

This problem relates to poor or loose connections around the fuel filter, leading to poor starting.

I have an M reg Ford Escort Diesel 1.8 LD, and over the last couple of days have experienced 
starting problems, , I think the fuel pump empties it's self, and by undoing the nut on top of the 
pump on the return pipe work and filling the pump with diesel it will then start and run, it is only
 when the engine is off for about 1 - 2 hours that the pump is empty again and it won't start, I have 
checked all pipe work around the engine for leaks, checked the fuel cap in case it's air tight, it 
seems that the diesel is returning back to the tank, any ideas? 

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Richard reckons:

You say that you are looking for leaks, from experience visually they are very hard to see,try 
looking again,from the fuel filter pipes back to the tank,looking for where and if one of the hard 
plastic pipes is being rubbed upon,look for at most a hole the size of pin head. Also if you have 
a cav lift pump make sure the diaphragm is not perished.

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Thanks Richard, I have done as you say and have checked the pipes all the way back to the 
tank, however have not found any defected pipe work. What I have discovered is that on the fuel 
filter, (the large cylinder type filter) the pipe from the small rectangular box (attached nearby the 
filter) that runs to one of the pipes on the fuel filter has a loose connection, (on the filter pipe) 
they have the o ring type connectors, they have a yellow ring inside with a plastic red insert that 
slides and clicks on to the pipe, I am going to get one tomorrow if possible.  Just another note, 
the bleed screw on top of the filter, if I leave this loose after running the engine then the pump 
stays full! 

Thanks for your advice so far, Matt 

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