I haven't ignored anything, I've compression tested it. All 6 cylinders stable and with 10psi of each other at around 450psi from memory when cold and 430psi with the same varience when warm. Compression increased with oil in the bores which would tell me that the rings are ok.
Ive got a tank in the boot, it's about half full at the moment but it's been both full and empty since ive had the problem arise. I've got a facet pump feeding the injector pump, with a regulator set at 14psi - not sure if this is good for the m51 but it's what ive always run my bosch pumped stuff at before and had good success.It is still pumping, the gauge on the regulator is reading right even when warm.
Since I adjusted the cam timing to within spec (was slightly higher than the 4.5mm space I needed under the cam tool) the cold start has improved immensely. starts almost instantly which would tell me that the glow plugs are working at least? it used to crank for 3-5seconds before firing which I thought could have been the glow plug warming up time?
I'm going t0 try a genuine bosch stop solenoid next I think. What is the hot start system you're referring to Rangeroller?