Do not use starting fluid. You can ruin the engine. You have malfunctioning glow plugs. You probably have old style loop glow plugs. Do you know the difference between loop style plugs and pencil style plugs? If so, tell us which ones you have. If you don't know, do you have heavy squiggly wires going between the glow plugs?

From your description I assume you mean that the engine is turning over but is not firing. Is that correct?

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13