A friend bought this car and it wouldnt run when he bought it. We have fuel to the injectors and it will "kinda" run as long as you hold down the key but stop as soon as you let off the key. He was told it just would not start one morning and they wanted it out of the yard.

Verified glow plug operation and did a compression check, this is what I got.
#1 75
#2 25
#3 260
#4 260
#5 210

So I am thinking blown head gasket or some bad valves. was gonna pressurize a cylinder with the valves closed and see where the air went, but pretty much the head will have to come off any way right.

Any suggestions on other things to check? Thanks in advance.

Lets hope your friend does not have too much money in it. He shouldn't, if the PO just really wanted it out of the way. But it is obvious that the car is in need of serious engine work. And with the compression you are showing us, it will not run. Looks to me like it might have quit running a couple of years ago and has deteriorated and degraded somewhat just in the sitting. A well worn out engine just sitting in a car out in the weather is just not going to improve. And I think from what you say, that even if you were able to get it running, that nothing would improve. I think he is due for a transplant. Know what, Bajaman in Lafayette, IN. has a wonderful running 1980 nonturbo available for sale. Like new compression across the board. At least it was a month ago. He has it listed in "Parts for Sale" section of the forum. Why don't you check it out. He has it out and in his garage and even might help with delivery.

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Junqueyardjim
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis



1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!

Are the valves properly adjusted?
('hoping for a miracle for you)

If you want to verify its rings, remove GPs and give each cylinder a couple squirts of oil (I use 1/2 ATF and 1/2 lub oil) it might even start with the compression boosted in this way. If the compression doesn't improve its the valves.

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"