I seem to have developed a starting problem on my 97 mondeo turbo diesel.
It only occurs from stone cold, it cranks and cranks and after depressing the accelerator it finally comes to life after pushing out a load of unburnt diesel through the exhaust.
I have changed the glow plugs, glow plug relay and fuel filter but all of that still has not rectified it...if anyone has any other ideas it would be greatly appreciated!

 

Is it the 1.8 diesel? If so could be camshaft sensor

 

if it is a 1.8 td they have a comon prob with the fuel filter housing does the prime go hard after 5-6 presses? thanks tony

 

As said diaphragm holes in the filter head are common, allowing air in.
Have you checked for POWER at the glow plugs as may have a electrical problem(broken wire), have you drained the water off lately from the filter head ?, try some MILLERS diesel cleaner awsomely good stuff, as is BIO DIESEL which has a massive cleaning action, so much so that they can only stick 5% bio in normal diesel.
tabetha