I found this site by putting the problem into a search engine. My car has had a bit of a hard time due to a mechanic, I use the title loosely, doing a service for the previous owner and connected the fuel lines back to front. It took a long time to find this problem so the car has had long periods of being cranked over, but once the lines were connected correctly, starting was fine. This was when I bought the car and a gradual difficulty in starting developed. The heater coil lights only come on very briefly and the engine cranks over for 5 to 10 seconds before starting. the longer I leave it, the worse it is. For example, I left the car for three days and it flattened the battery trying to start it . With a jump start it went and clouds, and I mean clouds, of black smoke belched out for a few seconds, impressing my neighbours enormously. Any ideas any one?