Ok, replaced the crank and cam sensors yesterday. Seemed like the highest probability (after fuel delivery) , and without any apparent codes. Not upset to have changed out 'good' sensors, seems like they have a high failure rate anyway.
I did get a po340 one time during the crank attempts before I changed the sensors. It may have been triggered from having the battery charger on while cranking. I've been told not to do that!! OK!
So, I still get a couple cylinders trying to fire, but it just won't fly.
Most of my experience is with all- mechanical diesels. In large tractors and stand alone power units. Each and every cold start, my nose and eyes are within a couple feet of the exhaust outlet. I've seen and analyzed thousands and thousands of 'cold starts'. It's pretty simple; when I see nice, evenly spaced puffs of vapor, (even going through the turbo and muffler) It's pretty safe to assume all-is-good, and the engine should start.
When I see no vapor at all during crank, to continue draining the battery is pointless until the fuel issue is solved.
When I see a gap in the puffs; bad injector, dropped valve, hole in piston, blown head gasket between 2 cylinders.
My advantage to running those 6 and 8 cylinders, is even with a blown HG between 2 cylinders It'll still start, and run like crap. But is pretty evident what the problem is.
I'd just about bet 2 dead cylinders is probably too much for a 4 banger. I took off the oil fill cap, and listened while cranking. Pretty sure there isn't a hole in a piston. It's a pretty pronounced sound when that happens.
Here are 2 very short videos of 2 crank attempts. I put a flashlight across the exhaust stream to enhance what is seen. This is pure diesel vapor, no coolant at all (system has been drained) Amount of vapor may seem quite dense, it's only because of the added light.
https://youtu.be/pOyAX72zcvkhttps://youtu.be/pOyAX72zcvk Most people don't see what's coming right out of the pipe. The vapor you do see in the rear view mirror is blended too much with atmosphere to make any judgment. This is within 6 inches of the pipe. I can see 2-3 fairly pronounced puffs, then kind of a 'blob'.. so to speak. The other vid it's closer to just 2 pretty good puffs, and kind of a run together cloud before it repeats.
My experience with seeing this, is a blown head gasket between cylinders. Can also hear it in the starter; 2 pretty good compressions, then 1 or 2 not so good ones. Bent valve would show similar.
I wouldn't dismiss broke rockers either, I just haven't had the pleasure yet of seeing the symptoms!
So, seeing it's due for it's first TB, (80k) I might as well get the front cover off and verify timing. If everything checks out.. I'll pull the glo plugs to make sure the ceramics are intact. (looking for anything that may have interfered with valves here)
From there, if all is intact, I guess a leak down test.
Game on!