Hard to start diesel

Hi IM AL the owner of Big As Auto Repair.

There are a couple ways to bleed a diesel after the tank runs dry. (1) You can try cycling the ignition key several times without starting the engine, only cycle to the run position. If that doesn't work? (2) CAUTION be very careful when starting a diesel this way "Very Careful" You can spray a very little amount of starter fluid into the throttle body "very Little" NOTE: If you spray to much you could possibly damage the engine. After causing the engine to start and run several times this way it finally should pick the fuel up and stay running. Hope this helps and please visit my auto-repair-website: http://www.bigasautorepair.com/

Using starting fluid on a deisel engine will cause: Blowing the headgasket, blowing a prechamber out of the head, bending a rod, cracking a piston, backfiring into the intake, and fire. Any of the above may have happened. I like to use wd-40 as starting fluid in my deisel engine. Starting fluid is bad for a deisel engine, espically the newer ones.

Hi,
I would recommend disconnecting your glow plug relay if you are going to use starting fluid.
With starting fluid in the engine and the glow plugs turn on it may explode the fluid and do head damage. Starting fluid and any kind of ignition source ( hot glow plug ) is like a bomb.
Wayne

Never, ever use starting fluid in your diesel.

Taken from the Owners Manual - Diesel Supplement:

Do not crank the engine for more than 30 seconds at a time as starter
damage may occur. If the engine fails to start, turn the key to OFF and
wait 30 seconds before trying again.
Do not use starting fluid such as ether in the air intake system (see Air
Cleaner Decal). Such fluid could cause immediate explosive damage to
the engine and possible personal injury.
Do not add gasoline, gasohol or alcohol to diesel fuel. This practice
creates a serious fire hazard and causes engine performance problems.
1. Make sure all vehicle occupants have buckled their safety belts. For
more information on safety belts and their proper usage, refer to Seating
and safety restraints chapter in the owner guide.

Hm. it's a Diesel. So, it uses glow plugs.
Diesel engines work on the principle of exploding diesel fuel vs. burning gasoline fuel.

If it is spitting and sputtering, there is a possible problem with the fuel that is in the tank.

You see, Diesel fuel, according to Wikipedia, changes its formula drastically from winter to summer to work best in winter or summer climates.

I would drain the Diesel out of the tank and replace with fresh Diesel from your local Diesel Fueling station.

If this doesn't work, then, you may have a sensor gone awry or a compression issue.

Good luck on this one.