98 Freightliner Century Class 12.7L won't start

Hey guys and girls,

New here and in kinda have found myself in a unusually spot. I'm in the midst of getting my class A, got all of my written stuff done and got my learners permit along with a N endorsement. A friend of mine had been a over the road driver for 15 years now and he's moving into the owner operator world. He has a 1998 Freightliner 12.7 century class tractor that he's offered to let me drive with him to learn the ropes a little before I attempt the road test plus that will be my truck to take the test in to save me some money. Problem is it has sat since October and will not run. Two days ago we started messing with it and got it to run on ether so there was a fuel issue. So today we primed the system got fuel into the fuel rail and now it won't run even with ether, although it tries to start but only makes a sputtering sound with white puffs of smoke coming out the pipe. The system is primed, new fuel filters, we think the fuel is good, he put a preservative in the quarter tank of fuel in the driver side and we checked fuses and breakers and the only one that seems to be acting up is the HVAC one which I don't know if that would be a tell tale sign for something but we are out of ideas. Do you guys have any ideas?

 

Air cleaner is like new, we've tried starting it with and with out the air cleaner and ether

 

Thanks quality! I'll check that once I am where it's at today. We have checked the fuses in the dash and beside the drivers seat, the HVAC is clicking and so is the wiper fuse. I know while its cranking over on the digital odometer it says 5 faults when its trying to start.

 

I'm going to try and get onboard with a dairy company and haul milk if not I'll run for farmers in the area. I know USA truck will supposedly hire with no experience also.