another niggle with my 2001 Renault Megane 1.6 petrol

ontheroad_2

Thanks for your help with my other thread guys, I think the coolant leak issue has been sorted (garage had it yesterday, checked all the pipes/hoses, tightened the clips etc, and no recurring problem so far, but I'll keep an eye on it).

For about a week though, the car has had an intermittent starting problem. It turns over fine every time (not sluggish at all, all dashboard lights coming on as usual etc) but doesn't always ignite, until the 3rd or 4th try. For example, yesterday after I got it home from the garage it started fine first time every time, and this morning after it standing on the drive for 15 hours or so, it started first time, no problem. But 4 hours later, it took 5 attempts before it ignited.

Any idea what the problem might be?

somech

does this happen after very short journeys?

ontheroad_2

sometimes, sometimes not.

somech

ok make sure the oil level is ok
have the spark plugs been replaced in the last 20k
always ensure the engine is up to temperature before switching off
other wise it could be an immobiliser issue

ontheroad_2

the oil level is fine, don't think the spark plugs have been changed (they certainly haven't in the last year anyway) so I'll try that. Thanks.

ontheroad_2

Actually, now I come to think of it, could this problem possibly be caused by too much oil in the tank? ie if the level is above the max on the dipstick?

somech

if you have way too much oil then some of it will need draining out otherwise it could possibly damage the engine

Kilty_2

Aren't coil packs a big Megane issue?

Or does that manifest itself as a misfire?

somech

just misfires

ontheroad_2

An update (and don't really know if I'm any further forward).

The car has now been in the garage and had full diagnostics done - its not showing any errors etc. Yesterday the car would not start at all, (still turning over fine, but not igniting) had to get recovery out and towed back to the garage. Mechanic has had the car running, standing etc most of the afternoon today. He said the battery was completely flat when he first looked at the car today (not really surprising, as recovery guy and I must have tried starting the car about 20 times between us), but once it was charged it started first time, then cut out after the car had been running for a while. Diagnostics was run after that, no errors etc on the memory.

Mechanic is calling me tomorrow after he's taken the car out etc. Could it be something as simple as the spark plugs or battery? I'm sure he'll check the cells on the battery, should I suggest the spark plugs get replaced (remember, I'm a girl, don't have much of a clue about under the bonnet stuff ).

ontheroad_2

I'm just updating this, mainly so I can keep track of what I've done so far to get my car sorted out .

So I got the car back on Wednesday from one garage, they couldn't explain the fault at all, couldn't find anything on the diagnostics etc etc. Car started first time, every time from Wednesday all through yesterday. This morning, its back to its old trick of turning over fine, but not igniting first time.

I've now taken it to another garage near work, which might be much more promising (fingers crossed). He can't take it in until Tuesday, but he thinks it might be the crank sensor. Once he mentioned that particular problem, I had a google, and the symptoms appear to be exactly whats going on with my car.

So hopefully, I'll finally have a result, and a reliable car back, next week.