Renault Megane 2001 firing problems.

[Spider2k9]

So let me start of by saying i know NOTHING about cars. Well, i know enough to have passed my test and drive one, but aside from that, im clueless.

Ive had my renault for about 4 weeks, everything seemed perfect. Started first time, all the time, no other issues. Then one day, it didn't start. I was in the middle of the tip and luckily some guys around to help. They said "it isnt firing" and apparently my car is "fuel injected" When we opened the bonnet, a box, with a kind of weird corregated tube coming off it had fallen off.

Eventually, the place was closing, so they said lets see if we can give you a push start, they told me to get into 2nd, hold clutch, push me, release clutch, start engine. Boom, worked instantly.
The car then continued to start as normal for a few days. Then again, it happened but the 2nd time i tried it fired.

A few days gone by, no issues.

After using the car again for most of the day. Going to and from my house with junk to the tip, it happened again.
So far, the common denominator i can see is, its only happening after prolonged useage of the car, ie making lots of small journeys.

Now, the weird corregated pipe, to the black box i found was an inlet for the air filter? Ive read that a dirty air filter can cause firing problems.

Now, adding everything together. The car fires fine if it hasn't been used for lots of small journeys, the corregated pipe has seen better days, im going to assume my problem is with the inlet to the air filter, and the air filter not getting enough air?

Firstly, how can i repair the corregated pipe? No way in hell am i paying 100+ quid for one from renault.
Secondly, am i right in any shape about the air filter not getting enough air causing my firing issues after a a good few hours of useage?
Thirdly, sorry for the essay. I felt i had to get all the info in so my problem can be resolved faster.


Thanks!

[duncancallum]

stick a piccy up mate that says a 1000 words

[Disco_Biscuit]

I am pretty sure is nothing to do with that pipe, a blocked or dirty air filter wouldn't give a intermittent start issue. Renaults are renowned for having crankshaft sensor issue which sounds like your symptoms.

I'd get a new sensor and modified loom fron Renault

[ch427]

if the pipe after the air filter has become detached then it could be the issue, especially if its after the maf sensor.

[N7GTX]

Most likely a poor connection at the crank sensor. Simply remove it, adjust the 2 pins a little offset and refit.
Or, you can buy the modified replacement from the dealer with the short length of wiring loom to eliminate the fault for good. The sensor costs around £25 as does the wiring piece. You will need to cut off the old connector from the existing loom to do this.

The corrugated tubing can be discarded if you cannot get another one or use duct tape and wrap around it to bodge it up.