I'm tempted to believe the Focus has fuel pickup issues with all these related posts. Also, mine has always made a wird grinding noise from the fuel pump at startup. I rolled it into the garage the other day where I could listen carefully and found out there is nothing wrong with the pump mechanically, in my case the noise is caused by air bubbles in the line - which make a grinding 'sound' when they blast along the line and back through the return.
Once the pump has been on a few seconds and the bubbles have gone through the regulator and back to the tank the noise stops. I think it sucks air back through the return / regulator like as if there is no one-way check valve fitted. This hypothesis is compatible with why I have trouble starting when parked on a steep slop particularly nose up. I just turn the key but not start a few times untill the fuel rails are charged and then no probs.
Anyway I'm not bothered by it anymore.
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