okay, apologies for the delay in update, been a bit busy so haven't had a chance.
Since my last post I have replaced hoses and also had someone in to come look at it and had the injectors tested and overhauled.
Have confirmed that plenty of fuel is getting to where it should be so can rule that out.
The fella that came down was bit baffled himself, and believed it would most-likely be the injectors, so he took them away and had them tested. Apparently they were "knackered" ...who knows if that was true or not, but just have to take the engineers word at this stage i suppose. He had them overhauled also and seemed pretty sure they'd work, but they've gone back in and no luck.... same as before.
So I am not left which much else but to suspect compression. I also ordered a compression kit, nothing fancy but just to see if it was noticeably low...
this kit only had a thread that fit my glow plug, and i was only able to test one as the other plug had an obstruction and couldn't get the bulky tester in there.
The reading was 300psi. I wasn't sure that was particularly low, but after another bit of online research I found that this engine 2tne68 should have compression of 3.24mpa, which according to online converter equals around 470psi, which would mean we are at low compression.
So that's where I am with my thoughts at the moment. May consider getting another compression tester that fits the injectors (i returned the other kit) but tbh it sounds like i am going to have to investigate what the cause could be anyway. My only worry is I haven't tackled anything like this before, so at this stage not sure where to start. Haven't stripped engine down to cylinders before. From what i've read I should be looking at gasket and piston rings, and a few other common causes. So i expect i'll just be taking injectors and plugs all back out, and start removing bolts and taking layers of the engine til i get to cylinders...
As usual I appreciate your thoughts and advice.
If anyone feels as though they would have the patience to guide me through this one that would be great, although you may need to explain like im 5 haha.
yes this looks all clear mate
Make sure the glow plugs are working
the plugs are new and definitely work. I took them out and tested them usings some wire and a battery and they glowed up. I could not get them to work whilst still wired via the engine (i took them out there sockets, leaving them connected and turned on the ignition and no glow... it's possible i just wasn't grounding them properly. I did do this previously with the old man and did get them working using this second method) anyway I mentioned this to the engineer and he said, with this current weather (was a warm day) that it would start even without plugs.