Hi, first time posting here. I've tried searching the forum for solutions no no avail.

In a nut shell, my diesel only starts using starter fluid ('start ya bastard' brand). I have to spray a short squirt into the turbo. When I crank it doesn't seem to get any fuel. After using starter fluid it starts and runs fine. After it's hot it will usually restart again without starter fluid, but if I let it cool down too long I need to repeat the process.

What could be causing this? I already had a mechanic the primary fuel/water separator, and he said the fuel pump had loose connections which he fixed. I also replaced the fuel filter on the engine but then I ran injector cleaner through the tank, could this have clogged it up already? Something about fuel tank algae?

From scouring other websites about other engines, some people suggest it could be sensor related, ie not injecting fuel when I crank...? A search of ebay for sensors has everything from vacuum valve to air flow meter or exhaust gas return sensors... ranging from $25 up to hundreds! I don't want to randomly start replacing sensors.

Does anyone have any idea why this engine isn't getting fuel when I crank it over?

TIA!

One thing that’s for sure, stop using ether! You will end up melting a piston.
It could be any number of things. When a diesel gets hard to start, it may be still getting plenty of fuel but the injectors could be producing a poor spray pattern. If you put an injector on a testing bench and try to light the fuel from a poorly performing one, it will actually put the flame out,where as a good one will create an effect the same as lighting a aerosol van with a lighter.
The ether is igniting and that gets the engine running fast enough to burn the poorly injected fuel. That’s why all American produced machinery comes with a ether can system and remote button from new, for cold winter starts.
As Dr Terry says, go someone who knows, the cost of using ether will end up being more than your car is worth.