If I understand correctly, you have verified the GPs and have good compression. The only thing left is fuel and getting the fuel to the cylinders.
Crank IP to nozzle line at the nozzle, crank over the engine (don't let it start), and hope for a mess of fuel. A rag placed under the nut helps! Sniff the fuel. Diesel Giant has a purge page & if you doubt your fuel, you can rig up the purge type temporary fuel tank (sounds tech. but this is just a pop bottle) and verify if this is a fuel issue.
My experience on IP settings is DO NOT TOUCH! In otherwords I don't play a IP doctor even on the web! I believe the IP setting rairly needs adjusting and if the vehicle did run in the recent past, then we can assume it is still OK.
Fuel issues include algae, water, summer blend used in winter ...
A good compression MB diesel should start even without GPs in 40*F weather.

i think i have figured it out
 

Well, on friday all of the gp except #3 showed that they were fine, so I replaced that one last night before watching some football. Today, I went out and check the gp's again. Turns out that the #4 and #5 are screwed up as well. I went and bought two more GP's and i am going to change them later today. That would explain the hard start. I just don't see why they both failed overnight. ANYCASE, we shall see. I will post again later with my results.

Amen
 

Amen........Fuel Injection Pumps are way beyond the average mechanic.....including me......and I have rebuilt hundreds of injectors and pumps.....to do anything to a FI Pump requires calibration.....and calibration requires a test bench at a cost, used of $30-50K......all of y'all who read here, should locate a local FI shop.....and then visit them, explain your interest, and ask for a tour of their facility......once you see the scope of the testing and calibration equipment.....trust me, you will be impressed......

SB

Do the valve clearance service.

beLIEve !!!!!:scholar:

Okay
 

I ending up changing out the 3,4,5 glow plugs. The gp light will still come on and blink for at least 30 seconds.

I checked the ohm's reading in the glow plug relay and it checked out fine. The only one's that were bad I changed the gp and those readings are back to normal.

I check the main line coming into the box from the battery and I got 9.75 and I got the same reading from the two screws on the fuse. My battery is brand new and reads 12.5 when off and 13 when on.

I changed out the whole gp box from my parts car and I still am having trouble getting it started. I also put 32 oz of diesel kleen in my tank when I filled up.

SO what is the problem?