I have a 1984 242 Turbo which has an interesting poor hot starting condition that I am having trouble diagnosing. The car starts up immediately when cold. If I try to restart the car when it is hot with it sitting only approx 1 hr or less it is fine as well. If the car is hot and sits for approx 1hr it won't start without considerable effort. With the starter engaged it is clear that the engine is trying to catch. In some instances the engine starts but sounds like it is running on only 2-3 cylinders (runs at around 500 rpm). During this time when it is running on a couple of cylinders pushing on the throttle has no effect on the RPMs. Eventually the car will either die or the engine will smooth out on its own. This problem can occur anywhere from 1-4 hrs after the car has been driven. Outside temperature(50F-85F) seems to have little effect on this problem. Once the car is started there is no obvious signs of a problem, ie. no power loss or hesitation. I have recently replaced the following items (prior to the hard starting problem rearing its ugly head) - in-tank pump and rubber hose, main fuel pump, fuel filter, idle control valve, and injector seals. I have checked and do not have any vacuum leaks - vacuum at idle is 20 in Hg. Once the hard starting occurred I thought it was the fuel pump check valve. I did a quick and dirty test by jumpering the fuses to make the main pump run for a min or so prior to attempting to start the car but that did not help. Even though this test suggested that the main pump check valve was not at fault I changed it anyway. I also confirmed that the thermal time switch was functioning properly. So, I finally dragged out my fuel pressure gauge thinking it was a control pressure regulator problem. Line pressure was 3.52 barr, control pressure was 2.1barr @ 60F and 3.53barr @ operating temp. The residual pressure (with the gauge set to monitor control pressure rather than line pressure)showed the following. 3.15barr immediately after turning the car off, 2.35barr after 20 min, 2.0 barr after 30min, 1.80 barr after 40min, and 0 bar at 53minutes. These numbers indicate that I don't have an issues with the control pressure regulator or any residual pressure problem - ie. no vapor lock. So now I am stuck. The only other symptom that I have noticed, which may or may not be related to this problem, is that after driving the car and putting in the garage I notice more of a fuel smell than normal eminating from the driver side wheel well where the charcoal canister is located. I have not been able to think of any link between this symptom and the starting problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated.