On Wed, 13 Oct 2010 09:54:24 -0400, "Flying Pig"
wrote:

Until confident that
all possible slow starting issues were under control, I'd run it for a
short time every day just to be sure that everything was OK.

Heh. With our aversion to running the engine, and expecting that there are
a finite number of start cycles in solenoids and starters, we might not do
that. Fortunately, I do have a spare solenoid, but not a spare starter...


Starters and solenoids are good for literally thousands of starts
unless there are secondary issues like water ingress or hard
starting/cranking. Engines like to be run once in awhile.

I presume that's the actual issue - how fast is it turning over?

If it's turning over at all it should fire on on the second or third
rotation if everything else is in good condition, especially in warm
weather. Failure to start on slow cranking can be an indication of
low compression, most often because of valves or rings. You could
also be losing the prime on the injection pump if you have a small air
leak in the fuel delivery plumbing. That would result in longer
cranking waiting for the air bubble to work its way through.

Whatever the problem is, you need to spend more time resolving it.
Meanwhile I'd be starting the engine for a little while every day.