Check out the diesel vanagon group:

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Diesel-Vanagon/?yguid=292636220

Lots of info there on starting troubles.

Starter batteries for diesels are typically have a lot more cold
cranking amps. But your troubles sound two-fold.

Note what the symptoms were prior to the no start situation. This will
help trouble shoot. Hard starting can be battery low, glow plugs,
injector(s), timing, etc.

Once it's running, and up to temp, does it start easily?

Neil.

On Mon, Mar 31, 2008 at 8:39 AM, Neil Crawford <vidublu@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi volks,
>
>  I've got a battery that's overdue and for a couple weeks now the engine has
>  had a difficult time starting.  After a few tries, it'd be dead.  Thought it
>  was just the battery.  I'd boost with me Saab and it'd start right up.  Now,
>  I don't think so.  Even with a boost she doesn't start.  Have heard a single
>  injector can prevent starting.  The PO said, and the evidence supports, it's
>  had the alternator rebuilt.  I think it may need a 'valve job'.
>
>  Any ideas where I should begin to troubleshoot?
>
>
>  Ahoy.
>
>  --
>  Neil Crawford
>  '82 Diesel Westy
>  Me other car is Swedish
>

--
Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia - "Jaco"

http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/