"Hard to start" could be as simple as a few bad glow plugs. Easy enough to check that with a volt meter on the plugs during the glow cycle. If working properly, the current draw should result in a 2-3 volt drop from battery voltage at the plug. Of course if it's been sitting for a year you will probably have to jump start it, but the test will still be valid.

__________________
Joe

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1980 300SD - 495k miles - 'The Ambassador'
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Former Family Members
95 C280
73 280SEL
90 300D
87 300SDL (X2)
86 560SEL
84 300D
80 300SD