wife can't start car!

[Mistel]

For a few days now my wife has been unable to start the 85 300TD. She uses it to pick our son up from school, but it is not that far so she walks when it doesn't go. it's cold here near Toronto.

To make it easier to start I have;

Gotten a new battery (the last one was 10 years old!)
Changed the oil to synthetic
Filled up at a busy gas station (so it for sure has winter gas in it and less likely to have water)
Checked resistance on GP's, looks good, fuse good

These are the things I can easily do myself. I can't adjust the valves myself and I am looking for a competant mechanic to do that. No block heater either, but man do I need one.

It definately turns over quicker now. I can start it, because I understand you have to crank it a bit and then give it a bit of fuel at the right time. Any advice? Don't make me chose between a new wife or a new car! The car gives me very little grief.