recently having trouble with hesitant starting first thing in morning, changed CTS, checked glow plugs all o.k. after initial start fine all day

When changing diesel filter noticed filter was not full, is this normal? could diesel be draining back to tank

thanks

When I changed mine there was a fair bit of diesel in the bottom of the filter but it was never up to the top. This was on two filter changes btw. I notice you posted this at 5:50 am so probably starting your car when its still cold overnight. I found my diesel a bit crap starting in the cold last winter with new plugs filters etc. Maybe battery is a bit old or the starter motor.