Originally Posted by tabetha

If it's the same 1.8D lump as fitted to the mk4 escort then it uses shims to adjust the clearance, so these need sorting out, but easy job, a bit lengthy but can do swapsies with the shims from one position to another, so only usually need to buy 3 or 4 etc, can be done without removing cam etc, just depress edge of bucket that shim sits in, and prise out with cam lobe pointing away.
Have a good look at the filter head, and see if there is a air leak being caused by a split diaphragm in it, depress the plunger it should be rock hard, if you can depress it first thing in the morning repeatedly and the car then starts no problem then a new filter head is needed, these always go, a very very common problem.
Another problem is some battery listings list a very small capacity battery for these, way too small for winter and the engine simply turns too slow.
It would most likely benefit from a bottle of MILLERS diesel treatment, the only one I found to work, and it works wonders.
tabetha