Ford Repair: Ford escort Problems, fuel pressure gauge, fuel pressure regulator

Question
I have a 1997 ford escort osprey,it recently cut out on me at a set of traffic lights,and now it has died,battery is full charged and working,petrol is getting to the engine no problems at all,spark plugs are sparking,everything seems okay,starter motor is working,but the car will not start,i have no idea what the problem is,ive checkd the basic general things,but cant see anything wrong,the engine sounds like it is turning over fine,but is not firing,the car is not even trying to start.Any idea what i could try?or what it could be?

Answer
Jason-

  Well...since we don't have an Escort Osprey here in the states (and because you used to word "petrol" and not "gas"), I'll assume this car is either in England or Australia...and I'm not too familiar with Ford Of Europe cars.  But hey, I'll give it a shot.  If you're getting spark but no fire I'd say you're looking at one of two problems.  Either your timing is way off or you've got a fuel delivery problem.  I'd say the fuel is more likely the issue.  Try hooking up a fuel pressure gauge before and then after the fuel pressure regulator.  You should be seeing pressure in the area of 30-40psi (if you use a metric gauge, I have no idea what that is in kPa).  If that checks out ok, test the motor's compression.  Depending on the compression ratio of the motor, you'll probably get a reading of between 150-180psi (again, no clue what that comes out to in kPa).  If one of the cylinders test noticeably lower (say by 20-30psi) then you've probably got a timing problem.  Hope this helps.

Steve