Diesel starting problems

When i try to start my mk1 caddy from cold it wont fire until at least the third attempt, it has new glow plugs and when it is turning over there is white smoke coming from the exhaust. It will not start at all if the cold start lever is pulled out. Could this be a fuel problem? once it is started it will restart again straight away. 86 1.6 diesel

poor compression from worn bores? White smoke = oil. Poor start due to poor compression leading to low initial cylinder temps.

White smoke on a Diesel = unburnt fuel (not incompletely burnt black Diesel smoke)

Oil=blue smoke

Poss still probs with glow plugs, starter motor too slow, engine worn and not enough compression or timing out?

Oh yeah oops, blue smoke = oil (it was late). Still think its poor compression tho.

When I had this problem on my brothers 2 1/4 diesel land rover it turned out to be a combination of two things

(1) The pump timing was out
(2) There was a very small air leak in the fuel delivery which only caused white smoke and bad starting.

Good job you've got 3 diesel Caddy's and a diesel tintop for good measure!  
I'd go down the injector pump timing/air in system route too!
Or faulty pump or injectors? Is it gutless once you're running?

Once its running it will drive ok. I will get a compression test done and see what the readings are like.

Is it a daily runner?

No it was not driven on a good run in a few years

Take it for a good run, maybe the battery is a little low, and the white smoke could be water vapor in the exhaust, could be the starter is a bit worn or the earthing straps/wire to the starter is a bit corroded.

The cold start lever, well not so sure about that sorry

If it runs ok when its warmed up, it doesn't sound like you've got any serious problem really.

I agree with the good run bit. The lack of use won't have helped. But given that the cold start advances the timing and the engine won't start with the lever out, I would presume it was a timing issue? I don't know much about mechanics though, that's just what I'd investigate if it was me.