Normal on a 603 engine. Let the glow plugs run 15 sec or so after the light goes out. Less miss and a lot less smoke. You can also put it in gear -- this adds load, so the cylinder heat up faster.

If it misses and pounds away for a minute or so, it probably has some weak glowplugs.

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!