Travis_R
Veteran Member
With the hard starting it sure sounds like it is trying to hydro lock which means that some how there is coolant getting into one or more cylinders. This will definitely bend a rod or break the crank. My advice would be to not try turning it over, especially with the starter, until you are positive where the coolant is going and just hope it's not too late. Before trying to turn it over be sure you have some sort of compression release like injectors out. Caring for the injectors is the most important part of working on the head as it is easy to damage one and they are expensive.
Thanks for the advice. I have a diesel mechanic coming to look at it soon. I’m leaving it alone til then because I don’t know what I’m doing.