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Cold starting nightmare on '83 528e.

I'm "sorta" back on the net (formerly "Number 6") and money is really
tight right now, as I am starting my own business as an Internet
provider, but I also need my car!  :)

Anyway, recently my '83 528e has been having extreme problems cold
starting.  I'm getting spark and (what looks like) a good amount
of fuel.  Today, it just simply would NOT start.  So, not knowing
much about the '83 FI system, I checked the cold start valve.
No gas, but it was being supplied with gas.  So, I took it off and
jumped it to the battery and heard a satisfying click.  Did that
a few times and when I went to start the car again, it started
immediately!  I had to get to the bank on time, so I didn't trace
it back to the thermo time switch, but the switch seems to be
working since the car *did* start after I jumped the cold start a
few times (to make it clear, I jumped it while OFF the manifold, then
put it back on, and it suddenly started working.)  So, did I isolate
my problem or just "get lucky"?  (Horror of horrors, it wouldn't even
start with starter fluid....I know, shame on me.)

I also have another Q.  Spark plug #3 always comes out with oil
pooled up around it.  None of the others pool up oil.  And, the
plug is NOT fouled with oil, the oil is just on the outer housing and
is not heat baked on it.  Is #3 prone to having the valve cover gasket
leak onto it?  Or do I have a carcked head (not what I need right
now).

Please respond via e-mail directly.  I wouldn't even be able to download
the digest, hence my not getting back on the list yet.

Thanks a lot for any help.

- -Nathan Lane (formerly Number 6)
Second Foundation, Lompoc, CA