[Vwdiesel] hard-starting '93 EV diesel cont'd

[Rolf Pechukas]

thanks for the heat tape feedback, y'all
potentially more alarming news now, however
tried to jump the car by having it dragged down the road by a triple-A
wrecker
would not start!
we tried maybe 8 or 10 times
I've NEVER seen that happen with this van, never
used to be able to pop it rolling down a little hump at the local gas
station
this guy was dragging me like cans behind a newlywed's car and nothing!
glow plugs all warmed up (do not know if they are all good, but never a
problem b4 this winter)
popping the clutch in second, key turned to run, etc
what could be wrong?
what I got was fairly heavy smelly exhaust as it was turning over
clearly not much combustion going on
but fuel getting thru the system, otherwise it wouldn't smell/smoke, right??
(I have a sick fear that a timing belt has bit it
they were both replaced last summer, supposedly, but the Canadian garage
that did it showed me only one belt and when I asked about the 2nd they
rummaged around and came out with one from an Astrovan or something
shady dealings, but they have my thousand bucks and whatareyougonnado
it's certainly in the back of my mind)
but you need:
1. compression - not a problem before, should be fine dragged down the road
in 2nd, right?
2. fuel - tank is full, was running fine on Tuesday...
3. high enough RPMs - again, he was going FAST for a jump...
4. warm enough? could be bad plug(s) - that's the only thing it could still
be, AFAIK
shouldn't it have started? it's not horribly cold here, in the upper 20's
today
I'm a little nervous
the van is at a local garage getting battery charged and block heater
plugged in
will know soon enough
thoughts?
thanks
Rolf