97 E300 Diesel Hard Start. Help!!!

[Beech]

My 97 E300 Diesel has just started to start hard after sitting overnight. The car has a history of the infamous fuel leaks, and sticking resonance flaps.
The hard starting is akin to the cranking that is necessary after changing the fuel filters. The cranking engine sounds like no fuel or air in the system.
There has been on again/ off again weeping of fuel at the shutoff valve. It drips a few drops, then quits and is dry.
When the hard start happens, the ETS Traction warning indicator comes on.
After much cranking, it starts and runs fine. On subsequent starts after driving, it momentarily stumbles after start up.

Any ideas on what may be going on???