Starting fluid on a glow plug equiped high compression diesel can break rings, ring lands, burn the prechamber tips, and melt the piston crown. Occasionally it will completely fail the piston by blowing a hole in it. It will also bugger up the starter by stalling it under load when the ether fires early on the compression stroke.

I've seen engines where the rings and lands fell out in bits when the pistons were pushed out. Craters in pistons aren't uncommon either.

If it won't start normally, fix it.

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!