QUOTE (michael von der burg @ Oct 9 2009, 03:06 PM)

Hi Robert
thank you for your input. I did hook up a scanner but found no codes. I live in Canada but the car is used in the Dom Rep (just like Vladimir's). It has a new battery, the glow system works good and with under 60 000 km the compression should be fine. It starts cold better then warm and runs otherwise great. I wonder if the poor diesel quality in the Dom Rep is the cause. I will check the valve clearance as soon I get back to Puertp Plata.
It always starts with a second battery hooked up to it what let me first to believe that the starter does not turn fast enough. I rebuilt the starter (it looked perfect) and the problem is still the same. I was considering using a second battery and running only the starter on 24 Volt. What do you think?
Michael
I would pay a closer look to your rebuilt starter. Just by "feeling", do you feel your starter (with a single battery) is spinning the engine fast enough to start, or does it feel lazy and muggy, like your battery is half dead?
Now, OTOH, do you hook up de second battery in parallel or in series? Parallel is + with + and -with- to have 12V with double the amps. Series is +with- in series, to have 24V with same amps.
If hooking up second battery in parallel, I would suspect your main new battery is either too small or not good (its not the first time a new battery goes bad). If hooking up in series, then I suspect there is something wrong with the starter motor. Not spinning fast enough?.
Maybe you can get a shop that can switch starter motors for a test, or even you can switch batteries and test them.
Robert B