Fuel, fuel, fuel..

[yodster]

My 1986 Diesel has developed an annoying little habit of not starting. I know its a leak of some sort as the clear pipe that runs to the engine is empty every morning. If I then use the little pump on the right and get some fuel into the system it starts again.
I cant see any obvious signs of leakage. Can anyone tell me what checks I need to do and suggest remedies?

Owning a campervan - where love and hate collide sometimes

[Oldiebut goodie]

Obviously a previous owner had the same problem and added the hand lifter.
The only way to cure it would be to replace the fuel line completely. ( I have the same problem on my boat, although the hand pump is standard,I've replaced the lines yet still get air drawn in after long non use) The strange thing is there is never a trace of leakage of fuel to aid repair.(because the fuel is being sucked and not pumped past where the leak is, the same happens when not in use)
E D I T to add

If you could pressurize the fuel and line back to the tank it would most probably be possible to find the leak.

[pauly8888]

My diesel engine has got the little pump too. Press the button to pump fuel through. Never used it, except to see what it was for.

How does your engine run once it's started? Is there poor idling, hesitation when accelerating, any a loss of power at higher speeds? If so, then your fuel pump may be kaput.

[yodster]

Runs like a dream when going... but leave it sitting for too long and I have to pump it up again. Just wish I could see an obvious reason! Recently shanged the starte motor and it seems to be a lot worse than before but cant see any reason for that!

[Oldiebut goodie]

You sha**ed the starter motor?

[yodster]

Ha ha! 'changed' as I managed to sh.. the first one!