low pop pressure prevent startup
 

I have 92 Dodge 250 with 260 K miles that will not start unless I use starting fluid and then it will run and idle. No air in the lines. I crack the lines to bleed the injectors. The squirt about a foot . I connected the fuel line direct into open container. No air show through a clear plastic line
Removed the injectors to pop test them and they popped from 2800 to 3000 PSI. Book specs say it should be 3500 PSI. Compression checked 325 to 375 psi.
Would the lower compression prevent the start without start fluid?
Please do not flame me for using start fluid. I know to disconnect the heater. I been driving Mercedes diesels and dealing with diesel farm equipment for 60 years and never ever replaced a head gasket !
Thanks for any input to this issue,

Tom
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Have you checked the timing of the injection pump? Has it been running good once its started?
The spec I have on the pop pressure is 3550 I would replace the nozzles re-pop check or put a new set of injectors in.

next time you try to start it pump the primer pump up on the lift fuel pump. im old so i use a broke off hoe handle. :jump: my 91.5 was doing that and i found i had a small leak down on a return line from the injectors. :hellox: