2 1/4 diesel engine problem

Hi can anybody help with some information.

I have a series 3 2 1/4 diesel that has suddenly stopped running over two short journeys. Firstly it became hard to start and there seemed to be no power. Firstly I thought is was a fuel problem I have changed the fuel filter and this did have a amount of sediment in it but this has made no difference, I have changed the injectors still no difference. I can just about start the engine after a while but it sounds like a steam train and is running very uneven and a lot of whitish smoke. Once it has started and I try to rev it you can hear a rattly noise but this does go after it been running.

Anybody got any ideas what to try next.

Is it running on 4 cylinders?
Because i dropped a valve on mine and it had all the same symtoms but was running on 3,
If not 2.25s have been known to slip teeth on timeing chain which would also explain it.
Hope this helps
Jon

Thanks Jon

It is definatly not running on 4 cylinders.
I have also been told maybe it could be the head gasket I am going to take the head off this weekend and have a peak inside.

yes i would say the head gasket too

Thanks for advice I stripped the head off last night and the head gasket had gone between No.3 & No.4 cylinder.