Check the temp sensor for your glow plugs. My 220D (very old and raggedy) will not start well hot without a little bit of glow -- my 87 300DT usually runs the plugs a few seconds even hot, as does my brother's 300SDL.

You may have a plugged over flow line on the injection pump (causes very early injection) or air in the fuel -- check the suction lines on the fuel pump for leaks -- fuel will leak back down into the tank rather than out of the hoses. You can park nose down on a steep hill, or back up on oil change ramps and see if fuel leaks out. Worn and leaking fuel lines are pretty common since no one ever seems to replace them. Air in the IP can cause foam injection rather than solid fuel injection, and the fire goes out as the fuel foam sprays in, making it hard to start. Usually runs OK once started, but makes too much smoke.

The only other thing that comes to mind is a stuck injection timer, making the injection very early. Usually will crank hard and knock a lot under these circumstances.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!