Megane not starting up properly.

[hurst]

I recently bought a Renault Megane, 2003 1.6 Dynamique.

All was fine up until this week when it stopped starting up on the first attempt. Sometimes it makes a real horrid grinding/rattling sound when I try to start it, it normally starts at around the 3rd attempt, sometimes it doesnt make that horrible noise, but takes a few attempts to get going. Its flawless once it is running however.

I have the car booked in to the garage on Wednesday as I have a 3 month guarantee, so they will have to fix whatever the problem is. I was just curious if anyone else has had similar problems and if so what could be making it act like this?

Cheers!

[dougieCC]

search on dephaser pully, sound like thats your problem.

alan

[renier]

Perhaps a dirty throttle body that needs cleaning? I had this 2 times, 3 years ago and just a few months ago.
In both cases it was resolved with cleaning the throttle body.

Although I wouldn't describe it as grinding/rattling, but more like the engine is running on half power.

[hurst]

Cheers for that, I will see what they say at the garage on Wednesday.

Makes me laugh how you test drive a car and it performs flawlessly, then you have it for a week and it starts playing up!

[hurst]

The garage have just confirmed that it is the Dephaser Pulley. I will have to have it booked in again when they get the part in.

Are there any downfalls to continue using the car until then?

[AlexB]

The dephaser must be changed together with the the belts. The belts might have been replaced in the last service and now they have to be changed again. Old belts are never put back. I hope the tensioners have been replaced in the last service -- check this.

Once the belts are removed many owners decide to replace the coolant pump in order to avoid future expenses (the timing belt needs to be removed to access it).