"I sprayed a bunch of starting fueled into the air intake"
How long have you been doing that for?

"This starting fluid is made for gas and diesel einges so it should be safe to use unless the company of starting fluid wants to get suid by happy sue people."
Um, wrong. Starting fluid is made to sell. Just like so many other awful products out there...
Starting fluid can and will destroy a MBZ diesel. Really will wreak havoc fast if done in conjunction with plugs glowing.
All the great minds on this forum agree: never, ever use starting fluid. Check the archives on this one.
(that said, do not panic, these are tough engines. just don't do it anymore)

You are in good hands here, follow their advice.
i will say this: a friend had a similar problem, we were convinced it was fuel related. Went through every darn part in the system. Turns out there were 4 dead glow plugs, and a leaking primer pump, until these were both fixed WD 40 and even ether would not start the pig. But she would pop periodically.

What flavor smoke you getting out the tailpipe when you crank her?

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