Thanks for your insight -- I was hoping there was an easy fix (I know that on Volvo engines for example, a restricted flame trap causes excess crankcase pressure), but I guess there isn't .

I haven't had a compression test done, nor am I in an area with many mechanics knowledgable about diesels, so I may have to wait until I go home (I'm a college student at Penn State) to have that checked out. I am pretty certain the compression is going to be low in one or more cylinders, and I read up on blowby in the forums - I just thought the crankcase ventilation system should be able to cope with any of the blowby gases produced. I guess it can only handle up to a certain amount, and quite sadly, my engine is probably putting out more than that. I guess I should be thankful the engine still starts .

There is definitely oil going up the breather tube (oily residue on the inside of the tube, elbows, and in the air intake).

I did change my glowplugs recently (I actually went to parallel glow plugs in December), so the engine is probably not in good shape. (I'm also 15W-40 dino oil, Mobil Delvac, which probably doesn't help the starting situation any.) The rest of the car probably isn't in good enough condition to warrant rebuilding the engine either, sadly .