Hot Start Problems 1.9TD AAZ in my Syncro

[slobbo]

I currently have a problem where the van won't start when it's hot and when its hot performs badly. By badly I mean it doesn't seem to have the power it should.

When it's cold no problems but after a run it won't start.

After a run to Biggar this W/E one of the lads asked if the van was running ok. I said no crap it won't start when it's hot. He said that it sounded like the engine wasn't getting enough fuel and that the timing was advanced (I think). He said the fuel was being injected too late. We popped the engine cover off and turned it over. Wouldn't start, so we loosened one of the injector pipes and turn the motor over for a couple of seconds to see if any fuel was coming through. It wasn't so we then tested the solenoid that shuts off the fuel (I think) at the back of the fuel pump. This was working so we bypassed the fuel filter and tried again. It started. Great I thought a new fuel filter should sort things. Put the new filter on and preceded to reset the timing. It took ages and didn't seem to want to set and stay set. Eventually we got it to the way it should be. Idling nicely with a puff of black smoke when the pedals pushed before settling down. When I went to pull away their was no power so we increased the fuel a bit and everything seemed great. It was starting no problems even with the temperature sitting at about a quarter on the dial. Great I thought, finally sorted.

Driving back from Biggar to home I noticed that the power delivery seemed to tail off after a few miles. I stopped at McPukes to get some food for the boys and when I pulled up found the engine idled far to quickly and once I stopped the van it wouldn't start again.

I haven't been impressed with the performance of the engine since I got it and even after it had come back from being sorted always seemed to fall back to poor performance again.

What could this be. I am beginning to think the fuel pump is at fault. Any other ideas?

- The fuel lines are all about a year old.
- The compression on the engine is very good (difficult to turn even with a socket)
- Doesn't seem to be an air leak - no bubbles in the fuel line

This is driving me insane and costing me a fortune - helllllp