575 noise, now will not start

Last week after it had been stood in the cold (about 5 below) it started unevenly and had no power at all. The engine note was uneven and it had a noticeable clanking/hammering when under load.

Now, a few days later, it will not start at all. The diesel is getting to the injectors ok, I've changed the diesel and the filter, oil and the filter since. None of the electrics work at present, so I've no idea if it's getting oil. I've taken off the rocker cover and all the valves seem to be operating normally. The engine turns over normally on the starter. If I use a can of spray starter it will run for a few seconds and then stop.

I hoped that it might be back to normal today with it being much warmer, but no change. Any suggestions appreciated? I'ma bit of a novice with diesel engines! Many thanks!

The reason could also be improper bleeding of the fuel system. The diesel engine is quite sensitive to air in the fuel system.

The usage of any kind of starting fluid is not recommended. It can damage the engine.

I gave up on it for a little while and went on to do some electrics, at which point I discovered that the wires to the heater (glow) plugs were broken. I replaced them and the engine started just as well as ever.

I can understand how this might have stopped it starting, but how it would cause it to run on only some of the cylinders I don't know!

In any case, all is fine now. Thanks to everyone for your help! :)

However, NONE is getting to the engine. I've had the injectors out and they look normal, but when I refitted them "upside down" and turned the engine over, no diesel was visible from the jets and when I wrapped a bit of paper over the jet and did the same the paper stayed dry.

So...the injectors not injecting at all? Does this sound like a pump problem?

That's very helpful. It did occur to me today that the spray was probably just working as a substitute fuel because as soon as I stopped spraying, the engine stopped. I don't have any plans to use it long term - I have heard that it causes damage, but just wanted to see if it was just the cold (which it wasn't).

I'll try taking the injectors out at the weekend and (from a safe distance) see if they are all spraying normally or if one or two are failing and need replacing.

I guess that if none of them work then it's probably a problem with the injection pump; if they all work then perhaps the injection timing...?

Is there anything else that I can try that might cure or diagnose the problem?