(in the 80deg. summer weather here...) my '82 240 takes more than a couple revolutions to get going...with no pedal.
If a add a little "accelerator" (dont you dare say "throttle" in diesel discussion =) while cranking it catches on the first or second hit. I dont like doing this b/c I dont want the engine to rev more than necessary before the oil pressure gets up.

Never checked the valves (soon), currently at 260k w/ timing chain changed at 160k. Italian tune-ups daily =)


-John

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2009 Kia Sedona
2009 Honda Odyssey EX-L
12006 Jetta Pumpe Duse
(insert Mercedes here)

Husband, Father, sometimes friend =)