Hi everyone!
I had the problem with my Megane 53 reg, petrol 1.6 16V, sorted out really easily! There were really never ending theories of the camshaft position sensor, TDC sensor, dephaser pulley (once this one wears off it does need to be changed without a doubt). I had visited a number of mechanics in the UK and they all wanted to change all the above! It was a never ending story! Ultimately I decided to take the car to Poland where mechanics not only don't rip one off money but do the job! And they did!! The engine cutting off on the start, or chocking for 2-3 seconds on the start and coming back the normal idle afterwards, has appeared to be an issue with the gaskets on the air inlet manifold. There is a set set of four small rectangular gaskets, plus one really big and flat made like of a mixture of carton board and metal, plus big and small throttle o-ring! The cost of the gaskets was about £30 plus whatever having them fitted was! One of the gaskets was so perished that when the mechanics opened up the inlet system, it fell apart! The car is running perfectly now and the economy was 47 mpg on the way to work at 50mph. It took me a while and some money to finally get there but it was worth it! My "French twat", as I named it because of its resistance to being repaired, is working like a brand new one! No drivelling about expensive repairs any more! It is worth having the inlet system thoroughly cleaned as well before putting it back together! Good luck with your Meganes - I adore mine! :-)
cybul, May 2015