kip, interesting observation. Before the engine stopped running AAA started it once with starting fluid and the noises the engine made were probably the kick-back you are referring to. I have no plans to try starting fluid again at this point.

Tony, I will try the oil should I find low compression. Would that be regular engine oil? And how much is a good amount.

The issue I am having now is that I discovered that nobody has a compression tester for a diesel or they don't have an adapter for a Mercedes or both. I found one on Toolsource.com but the Mercedes adapter is backordered and only expected to come in mid-December.

Does anybody have a good source for a compression tester (including the correct adapter)? I would prefer the adapter for the glow plugs since they seem generally easier to remove than the injectors. That one seems more difficult to find than the injector adapter.

But just in case I have to pull the injectors, what is a good way to get the injectors out? I saw that Samstag Sales sells a special socket to remove the injectors (it has cut-outs for the leak line pipes). Is that necessary or advisable or can an injector be pulled safely with something like a crow foot?

__________________
84 300SD with Greasecar vegetable oil kit. Boston, MA