78 240D Manual US Sudden onset of very hard start, cranks strong.

Engine has approx 80K on full rebuild, bore, new pistons etc.
Adjusted valves and did compression test:
#1 350psi consistent
#2 325psi, then 275psi, and 275 psi = dirty valve face?
#3 350psi consistent
#4 350psi consistent

While testing compression and holding stop lever in by hand, plenty of fuel misted out of the open glow plug holes, is this normal or does it indicate a problem?

This car would start down to about 5 degrees above Farenheit even this last winter not plugged in! Now it is seventy degrees. Going to go to parallel glow plugs, just wondering about the compression values and the fuel misting out.

Thanks in advance

Dunno about misting, but 80k miles might be time for injector pump timing to compensate chain stretch. This could help your starting situation.

And of course you've been using fuel additives to keep injectors clean.... Otherwise even dirty fuel filters can effect starting.

Your misting with shutoff held on should not be occuring in my mind. Does indicate fuel is available when turning over though. You should be really positive your glow plugs are really working before proceeding though. You seem to have compression and fuel..I have owned diesels that seemed to require a second or two of glow even when hot and I knew the compression was pretty good. Those engines just seemed odd. I would consider getting a mityvac and applying vaccum to the shutoff. If you can pull and hold the vaccum all should be well unless you are still misting. Even though car was hard to start did key turn it off? Did it run well after being started? If it did shut down with the key it does eliminate the shutoff circuit so no need to test it. Really all you are doing basically by holding the manual fuel shutoff in is the same thing basically. You may just not have got enough movement with your manual stop lever to shut it down. You did not by any chance get a bad load of fuel perhaps say with a ton of water in it? You might want to pour the contents of your fuel filter into a glass jar and have a look at it. Just make sure it is diesel by smell as well. Never any type of taste test as sometimes certain chemicals can be present from a badly cleaned out bulk carrier. Another quick test is take a small sample and make sure it will burn. Refill your filter with new clean fuel after though before putting it back on. eliminates dirt being poured back into the filter as well as introducing some known good fuel as well. If you have not spent the money yet to change glow circuit over why bother? If car started down to +5 degrees last winter it will again. Someone mentioned after conversion of their series plugs to parellel starting was not as good. Another ideal to test glow plugs with them all out is to hook everything together including the resistance wires between plugs and use a set of booster cables to check them out. The more I think about it the more it sounds like no glow plugs though. Also starter does not seem to be dragging does it? If you do not own a cheap digital meter now go buy or borrow one. Just a few thoughts.

Upgraded GP's with parallel kit = VERY quick starting

Thank you for the replies.

i am the one who speaks against the fast glow conversion. durability is my negative. they work great for a while. if it gets hard to start suspect dead glows. also save your old slow ones.... in case you want to switch back. hope i am wrong for your sake.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.