Hmm. Sounds like my old 220D, except that your compression is OK and mine isn't.

It may be a good idea to check the chain stretch, it may be getting long enough to make both valve timing and injeciton timing late. This will make for hard starts.

And verify that you have good power to the glowplugs, too -- a bad connection on the supply side will lead to low current flow to the plugs, so they won't get hot enough. I assume the fuse is good (glow plug light won't work if it isn't). Best to check the current draw on the plugs, and do make sure they are the correct ones!

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!