I have a 03 renault laguna and recently its getting harder to start the car. It turns over but doesn't start. This might happen 3 or 4 times before i can get it to start up. It will go grand for a couple of days but then the same thing happens again. I can also hear liquid moving when the car starts up. Is this normal?

Gavin Spearin, December 2007

HI MATE,ITS A COMMON PROBLEM ON RENAULTS,ITS CALLED A TDC OR CAMSHAFT SENSOR,IT WILL COST 45 POUND FROM A DEALER OR 15 POUND FROM A AUTO SHOP,THE SENSOR IS LOCATED ON RHS OF ENGINE JUST ABOVE THE FLYWHEEL HOUSING,ITS A EASY FIX BUT TAKE IT OFF FIRST AND CLEAN IT AS IT WILL HAVE METAL BITS ON IT.IT IS A BRASS LOOKING PLATE WITH A HOLE EITHER END AND A SMALL BLACK TUBE IN THE CENTER.ITS NO MRE THAN 4 INCHES IN LENTH.HOPE THIS HELPS

FLETCHER THE LETCHER, December 2007

It a 1.6 petrol engine. As far as I am aware, it only happens when the engine is hot.

Gavin, December 2007

If this is a diesel car I suspect that fuel is returning back to the tank due to a faulty valve in the injector pump or priming bulb. The swishing noise is just coolant going through the heater matrix - its got a little air in it which can be bled off at one of the various bleed screws in the hoses.

John, December 2007