starting issue / compression, oil down the pots

Last night I went to start the 850 turned over fine just wouldn't start. Took the Fiesta instead. Came back and tried again (15 minutes later) and then about 1 hour later - still the same and now the battery was starting to drain. Tried again this morning and again wouldn't start...so I checked for a sound on ignition of the fuel rail pressurising sounded ok but put a tyre guage on and straight upto 3 bar. Then removed the spark plugs (a little petrolly) cleaned them, pumped a little oil in each pot, put the plugs back in and put the leads bar one back on. put a spare plug in the lead and held it to earth, put on the jump leads to a slave battery and the good lady turned it over - it started straight away. (ran on 4 obv.) My question - if the compressions are down, how quickly would you expect the oil down the pots trick to work? I was thinking a good few turns over before it starts...this started immediatly? I'll add that the car is not being used as much lately as I'm car sharing to work so sometimes it may be left for a couple of days without use. Any help / suggestion etc much appreciated. Cheers Phil

Have you actually tried a compression tester? I doubt it's a coincidence, but there's nothing saying that your electrics aren't at fault (i.e. the coil, cps, e.t.c.) If you can get a lend of a tester, give it a go, they really do make a difference. (you can get one for about 18 quid out of hellfrauds) As for the oil down the bores, it's pretty much instantanious, as it provides a temporary seal on the rings if there is a problem. HTH Mick

cheers Mick, I actually have access to a compression tester so I'll check them. The thing that makes me think it's not compressions is the fact of how damn well she runs. Unless of course it's just the lack of use recently! I've had it before when it hasn't started and gone back 10 minutes later and it's started fine!