This would be a OM617.

She 's been regular as clockwork all winter, had replaced the fuel lines, filters and glow plugs, starting up in all temperatures no problem.

Then the other morning, I almost flattened a battery trying to get her to go, nothing.

Checked full, injectors out of the block, but still connected to the injection pump, squirt x 5.

Glow plugs, could see their glow reflected in the tappet cover when I had the injectors out.

Tappets, just did them, one exhaust was all the way down, 0.25, and they were all way too tight, but still.

Why no start, all of a sudden.

Contamination of the fuel is the only thing I haven't ruled out yet, as far as air/fuel/glow is concerned. Maybe someone spiked her with something ( no locking fuel cap ).

Injection pump lost it's timing somehow ?

Compression suddenly isn't enough, highly unlikely, but will check the compression next week anyway.

Tow start on the horizon, but what could have possible gone wrong ?

__________________
306D 1975 (camper) - rusting away
W116 450 SEL 1975 - sold
W114 long wheelbase ambulance, 3 litre diesel 1974

VW Golf 1 convertable - midlife crisis item
VW T4 van - support vehicle