To summary what has happened. The car started when I bought it, although it had not been driven for nine months. I've known the last two owner, and saw the car working and had rides in it. After I bought it I started it about 20 times without a problem, and drove it about a 100 miles. It smoked, and after driving it the idle was rough.

I had new buyers enthuasiam and wanted to maintain it. The guy I bought it from gave me some parts that he had bought but not installed. I installed the fuel filters, air filter and glow plugs.

After I installed them I couldn't get it to start. I figured I must have knocked off a part. I learned I did screw up by not filling the fuel filter. I also learned that the primer pump is different than on the other 5 cylinders I have seen. The hand primer pump is attached to the fuel filter.

My mechanic took all the actions to test the glow plugs, and assure that the system had been purged of air. He adjusted the valves. The engine struggled to start, and when it began to start, it shut itself off.

The mechanic had me spend $50 for a shut off solenoid. The car was still hard or impossible to start. But under lots of hand priming, it seemed to be closer to starting. He had me spend $160 for a fuel pump that is attached to the injection pump. - He said when I wasn't there that it started up fine with the new fuel pump. When I got to the shop, it was still hard or impossible to start, again.

When it did start, he showed me that there was "too much" pressure coming out of the disconnected fitting on the top of the valve cover. He says that shows that the rings are bad. That to replace the ring the engine must be reoved. That the parts are very expensive. Better to buy a new engine.

Right now, I don't have a place to work on a non-running car.

I am losing confidence in the mechanic, but I don't have good options. I'm leaning towards the idea that there is still a problem with air in the fuel, or something clogged in the fuel system. But even if that is so, is the mechanics description that the rings are bad likely to be accurate?

I am sad and disheartened about this car. It was going to be for my daughter.