Kubota V1702 engine - Is 200-250 PSI too low compression to run?

[moocowman]

Compression is 200, 230, 230, 250PSI. I know this is lower than ideal (350PSI?), but shouldn't it still run at this compression? This engine died several years ago. Owner never had time to find out why, but suspects a fuel issue. Now I'm trying to get it running. Even with a constant spray of starting fluid, one of the cylinders might fire just once after 10-15 seconds of cranking. I'll deal with fuel system problems later, but I know it's getting some fuel. When I crack open injector lines, small amounts of fuel pulse out of each line. After a few seconds cranking, white diesel smoke starts coming out of the exhaust. But again, I'm using starting fluid just to make sure the engine has the right conditions to run at all.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

Starting fluid is probably the cause of the low compression, it should be more than double that ..