Use water instead of gasoline, it won't catch fire. You could use rubbing alcohol if you want something less viscous that water.

Not a bad idea to check -- there are shops that don't lap the valves in on the assumption that they will "wear in" anyway, and if they are not sealing well enough, the engine is almost impossible to start initially.

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!