Keep rags away from the intake.. what a chance for a messy accident...

If it will run after one of these ' extra ' measures.. I don't think it is an IP problem... it is a starting problem... which is either temperature of the block or compression... which could also be valve settings or glow plugs...or battery/cables/starter speed....(the latter relate to the Speed of Compression... which relates to the temperature of the air at the point when the fuel is injected ). It could be an IP timing issue also... but generally the use of alternative fuels provides more lubrication to the IP as compared to less....
Bottom line... if it runs powerfully after started you will probably have only small things to fix to get it back to normal... follow Tom W's suggestions....
The symptoms described DO NOT call for towing the car to start it.