as of now i have checked timing and put to max advance. its a non turbo engine on 86 golf. i ran atf through it a while and let it sit for days, purged it and am now running on bucket of fresh diesel.
its taking 30 seconds to start in 80 degree weather. if its warmed up and i turn it off it vibrates allot and then takes a few seconds to restart so delayed to a normal up to temp engine. if i leave for just 5 minutes i have to do an extended cranking session again.
i don't see any hint of pump leaks or air bubbles. new injector hoses, clean out bolt. fuel flow seems normal to me when cranking and running.
i am getting constant smoking, i got no downpipe gasket on right now. its a darker smoke, doesn't stink like unburnt diesel, doesn't get better warmed up.
if i rev it its taking time to come down, linkage seems ok.
so i thought maybe that part was injectors i have seen that before but this seems like too much, i wouldn't drive it on streets like that.
i tried to drive it around flat property on the dirt and found its dying with the strain of slipping the clutch.
so at this point my gut is telling me something is up with fuel system? i once came across a car that had a cursed injection pump like this. i sold it for parts because i broke it all down to reseal and clean and it didn't help. i never messed with settings because the lock collar to fuel screw was on and i have no idea to set all that stuff up.
the car is making it through cooling cycles, i'm not hearing any crazy noises to me based on past motors so i'm not sure what effect compression or the head, etc. could have on my situation.
here is a video, for some reason it doesn't look like the iphone is picking up the chugs of smoke out the tailpipe, most of its upfront.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=186aBbuzlFc