well, this is a longstanding issue...I've read hundreds of posts and actually been through this scenario before:

I'm working on a '79 245 B21

fires right up when cold
but, doesn't like to start 5 mins. to 4 hours later
WARM START PROBLEM

so, I know..pressures should be properly tested
everything else about this car operates as expected - except a little high idle

my question: (since i'm looking at the accumulator now)
is there a valid test to recognize the fuel accumulator as faulty?

I found this quote: "So if you are having a warm start problem, disconnect the smallest hose from the accumlator (if you have the type that has three hose connections) and if a lot of fuel spills out...you have a bad accumulator. This problem will result in the same loss of fuel pressure symptom usually attributed to a bad check valve in the fuel pump."

make any sense to anyone?
how many of these accumulators do we see bad?

can I just plug it?

Thanks in advance!