Any ideas whats wrong with my car?

Carter_2

Hi, I was looking for a bit of advice. My car is due for a new cam belt change and I'm getting it done in 2 weeks time.

However, over the last couple of weeks the car has not been starting straight away. It is not every time I try to start it, and it can be sometimes when the engine is cold or after a long/short journey where I've stopped off somewhere and try to start it again. I dont know if it is helping but when I press in the clutch it seems to start after the second or third attempt. I've been advised it is not the battery as it is turning over.

I was wondering firstly if it related to possibly needing the new cam belt (I was advised to get it changed by the garage when I got it service due to age/mileage, not due to a specific problem with it). Alternatively, can I wait for another two weeks and get them to look it everything then?

Thanks for anyone who posts comments.

Wig

Carter wrote: »

However, over the last couple of weeks the car has not been starting straight away. It is not every time I try to start it, and it can be sometimes when the engine is cold or after a long/short journey where I've stopped off somewhere and try to start it again. I dont know if it is helping but when I press in the clutch it seems to start after the second or third attempt. I've been advised it is not the battery as it is turning over.

Correct,

I was wondering firstly if it related to possibly needing the new cam belt

Doubt it.

Alternatively, can I wait for another two weeks and get them to look it everything then?

Yes you can wait, it's an intermittant fault not a permanent one. On the other hand you ask them to look now because it's not going to be the cam belt (not as far as I can see). But you won't be able to guarantee they witness the fault in action.


Could be a lot of things and could be difficult to diagnose if it isn't doing it when the garage has a look at it.

Car make model and fuel type?

Carter_2

Hi Wig

Thanks for your post.

My car is a Renault Clio 02 Reg and it's a petrol engine.

I know what you mean about them maybe not being able to help if it is intermittant but it seems to be getting progressively worse.

It did it last year when the weather was warm but then worked fine again so I didnt bother taking it in. It never seems to do it in winter months but I dont know if it is just coincidence.

Wig

On the other hand, there may be a fault code which will give a clue, so phone up a few autoelectrics garages and ask for a quote on a simple fault code reading. When you get your codes read, ask them to write the fault codes down or print them out, and listen to what they say could be the problem then, before you commit to any work done come back here.

Really you should read & reset the codes and then wait for the fault to re-occur then have the codes read again, perhaps you could ask for a repeat code read to be included in the price. If I was running the garage I'd give the second read free anyway.

Conor_3

Wig wrote: »

Correct,

Doubt it.

Actually it could be if its stretched or the pulleys are a bit sloppy. Cam timing goes slightly out and it can affect the starting.

Carter_2

Wig wrote: »

On the other hand, there may be a fault code which will give a clue, so phone up a few autoelectrics garages and ask for a quote on a simple fault code reading. When you get your codes read, ask them to write the fault codes down or print them out, and listen to what they say could be the problem then, before you commit to any work done come back here.

Really you should read & reset the codes and then wait for the fault to re-occur then have the codes read again, perhaps you could ask for a repeat code read to be included in the price. If I was running the garage I'd give the second read free anyway.

You lost me on this post I'm afraid. Will they know what I mean if I go in and ask them to do what you have said above?

Wig

Actually it could be if its stretched or the pulleys are a bit sloppy. Cam timing goes slightly out and it can affect the starting.

I thought of that, but not sure how rare or common it is. Maybe the best advice is to wait until after the cambelt change, then if it happens again get the codes read.

Wig

Carter wrote: »

You lost me on this post I'm afraid. Will they know what I mean if I go in and ask them to do what you have said above?

Yeah they would know, a lot of garages would probably be able to do it, not necessarily an autoelectrics one. If you want an "auto electrics" they are listed in the Yellow pages specifically.

You describe the problem, and tell them you were wondering if reading the fault codes might give a clue as to what the problem is.

Price - I dunno but I wouldn't be happy paying more than £20, £25 MAX.

A dealer will charge you £60 + VAT :eek: