03 discoII 53,00 mi.Turns strong but wont start the first time of the day. Starts on the second turn, and then the rest of the day. almost like the fuel needs primed. fuel filter? if so where is it? thanks

 

In the fuel pump assembly in the tank under rear carpet. Could also be fuel pressure regulator, which is right there as well. See attached, if you have a copy of the RAVE (free today below) it is in the workshop manual under fuel delivery system. And your copy will be much cleaner than this pdf of a pdf of a pdf.

 

thanks, Buzz for the shop manual. Not throwing a code, would the fuel pressure regulator not throw a code? thanks

 

It is not a sesnor, and there is no fuel pressure sensor, so a code may not occur. On D1's the fuel pressure regulator is on the fuel rail easy to get to. On D2 there is a schrader valve to test pressure, it is vey hard to get to under the corner of the intake. Some have been able to push in on the schrader valve (with rag to catch fuel) and have fuel spurt out, it will be around 34 PSI when running. Wonder if your leak down is involving something else in the carbon canister, evaporation parts, etc.

 

Actually there are 4 codes, 190 thru 193 for the fuel pressure sensor, but they rarely show up.
MY money may be on the fuel pump allowing the fuel pressure to bleed down over night causing a no start. One test for that would be to install a fuel pressure gauge on the fuel rail and see what it shows before attempting a cold start.

 

Thanks Disco Mike. If that's the case would that mean a new fuel pump? Thanks to Buzz I have a shop manual, looks like a easy fix. Guss I could drive it as is, drives fine. Although I would risk getting stranded.

 

Usually things like this continue to get worse over time, sort of slowly. It is not something that will kill your engine, like a weak oil pump. But don't expect it to get better with solvent cleaners, burning a chicken behind the Rover dealer on a moonless night, etc. And Mike is spot on about the fuel pressure sensor.