I'm curious to see what others have taken for readings and what their mileage is. 1983 Mercedes Benz 300D. 285,198 miles Oops! I had read the wrong line, now this is correct!

Something is wrong. 250psi is whats needed to even start a Diesel.

Agreed.

Procedural error or faulty gauging.

I edited my opening for my post. Was reading the needle position incorrectly!

278 to 286 is still very low. Even my old engine is in the 325-350psi range. New ones are 400+psi after break-in.

That's what I thought and wanted to test for compression to estimate when I should remove the head and do a valve job/cylinder head over haul on it. The Valves were kind of tight when i bought it from the original owner.

Squirt some oil into the cylinders and let it sit for a few minutes then test again. If psi goes up its the rings, if not its the valves.

Those are fine if on a cold engine according to my book.

It says down to 220 for reliable starting.

Tom W

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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.