[Vwdiesel] Cold starting with bad compression

[Libbybapa at wmconnect.com]

I have heard it said by many people that if the compression is bad on a vw 
diesel it will never start in the cold.  I think that glow plugs are essential, 
but many volks ignore injectors, which may have as much to do with it as 
compression.  I recently redid the injectors in my 86 n/a jetta (managed to crack 
the injector bosses in the process due to corrosion).  I did lots of thinking 
about repair, and then finally decided to try to torque the new injectors in 
there anyway.  They've held for 2 days so far.  Before installing the rebuilt 
injectors, I did a compression check.  280, 320, 420, 320.  How about that for 
s**tty.  Poor little engine has 295,000 miles on it.  The blowby is impressive. 
 Even without piching the vent hose, the loosened oil filler cap will dance 
around nicely.  I'm wondering when I get the excitement of a runaway (I hope my 
wife isn't driving).  Anyway, this morning it was 16°F and I went out and 
vroom, she started right up with no block heater.  when the glowplugs cycled off 
she wobbled, but came out of it fine.  I want to see the single digits, and 
give her a try.  Glow is key, and atomization is key.
Andrew