I reckon easy start etc. is a good diagnostic tool but not something you should use on a regular basis as it'll probably damage stuff. In this case all it'll tell you is that you have a fuel issue and I reckon you've already figured that out.
I'm not sure about the fuel filter bulging, the cut off pressure seems to be 1.6 bar so maybe a little. Mine's a different housing, plus I'm on my tod so I can't really watch it and turn the key at the same time...
I've had another Google, it seems like this fault can point to any fuel pressure issue and the fuel pressure regulator is choice - did you get anywhere with this? I'm not suggesting you rush out and buy a new one (after selling a kidney

) 'cos we're a long way from being able to say this is definitely the problem.
Swarf - I came across a few references to this, as Busman says it might come from gas station pumps but again I'm not sure. What we really need is someone to take a lift pump apart and tell us what the actually moving parts of the pump are made from (not you Womble, as far as I can see you now have 3 good pumps on your hands). I really need to go out and do something useful with my day but later on I'll have another Google and see if I can find out if swarf/iron filings are turning up in any other cars' fuel systems. Hmm, I wonder what the French is for swarf
