What Happened
1. You drove ~2,300 miles continuously, so the car was running fine.
2. Starter failed ~300 miles from destination, and the car was towed.
3. Car sat for two weeks after the tow.
4. You replaced the starter.
5. Car cranks, fuel has been primed, glow plugs get red-hot, but it still won’t start.
6. You see white smoke from the oil filler cap when cranking — meaning fuel is entering cylinders but not igniting.
7. Jumping from a newer car doesn’t help start it.

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Key Clues
• Glow plugs are working → not the culprit.
• Fuel is reaching injectors → pump and shutoff valve are likely fine.
• White smoke → fuel present but not igniting.
• Sitting + old starter + battery = possible low cranking speed, preventing cylinders from heating enough for ignition.

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Most Likely Causes
1. Weak cranking / low RPM (most likely)
• Starter may be old or battery too weak even with jump.
2. Tiny air in fuel system
• Could prevent full fuel pressure under cranking.
3. Less likely
• Compression too low (unlikely after running 2,300 miles)
• Timing slipped (rare unless chain/pump loosened)

did you check compression?

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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.

bot or not?

air got into the fuel system...

BTW... What is tiny air?

People dislike when I bring this up. You can carefully and safely use preferably diesel starting fluid.

My boss's method was:

Also, your glow plugs are on during cranking even if you don't do the preglow. You disconnect the power to the glow plugs by pulling the electrical connector at the glow plug relay. That keeps the glow plugs from preigniting the either.

Remove the intake tubing to the air filter.

This is most important. Someone else sits in the front seat and cranks the engine. When the engine starts cranking you spray in the minimal amount needed.

If nothing happens at all using the starter fluid, you have some more serious issue. Working as a mechanic I have seen that happen twice.

The issue with starting fluid is that people spray in more than they need to do the job and while the person runs around to sit in driver's seat and start cranking all of the starter fluid is evaporated and filling the air filter housing and that whole slug of either goes into the engine at one time.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel