Car occasionally doesn't start

[shifty_uk]

This is really winding me up now. Last month the Clio began developing a habit of not starting first time. Only after two or three attempts at turning the key and giving it a boot full does the engine run.

It's happening more and more frequently and to the extent that it generally takes far more than two or three attempts at ignition. I had to sit red faced in the city centre for half an hour before it would start, for example. It always gets there eventually but it's beginning to become so unpredictable. Sometimes it starts perfectly.

I just don't know where to begin looking and taking it to the garage seems a bit pointless as it would no doubt start up first time when I'm there.

Any ideas? I've checked for dampness on the electricals, the battery charge seems fine, everything inside the car runs to full capacity when the engine is off, immobiliser seems okay, fuel filter is apparently submerged in the tank and wouldn't need replacing and the engine is turning strongly, it just wont fire up.

 

[shifty_uk]

Does it turn over?

Could be starter motor related might be sticking, although I had it once where the earth for the starter was poor which caused intermittent starting issues, it would just chug or click.

Might also be the ignition switch?

Not sure if dodgy spark plugs/leads/coils could cause this? Probably would start but run rough if it was those.

Check the battery with a multimeter, just to be sure.

Sometimes it does start rough, despite the plugs being brand new. After giving it some gas the rough idle goes away. More often than not it either starts perfectly or just wont budge. Leads are fine, could be the coils? It's just expensive parts to replace on an utter guess.

Is there anyway I could check them or the starter motor?

 

[shifty_uk]

I'd say you have a sticky auto choke.

Do cars still get auto choke?

 

[shifty_uk]

I've had enough of it, today it took 15 minutes to start. I'll give the garage a phone tomorrow and get it booked in for testing. Whether something will come up or not is another thing. I'd rather take it to them with a definite place to start but that doesn't seem like it'll be the case.

 

[shifty_uk]

So what was it then???

Honestly still haven't worked it out. Changed sensors, adjusted a few bits and bobs, stuck moisture repellant on sockets, stuck a whole tank of petrol in incase it was fuel line related.

It still happens every now and then but not to the extent it did before!

 

[shifty_uk]

Have you checked for cam/timing belt issues?

Doesn't seem to be any issues with the timing belt however, is there anything I can do for a more thorough test?

Weird one, the more fuel I have in the car, the quicker it seems to start. So that's leading me to think it's a fuel related issue, filter or otherwise. Despite the mechanic giving the okay in those areas - then again, I don't trust him.

Oil and exhaust are okay.