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Renault Scenic - Renault Scenic won't start - strong smell of fuel - cherry1980
Hi I have a 2000 X reg Renault Scenic 1.6 Alize sport.

Last week whilst out it started spluttering and came to a standstill.there was a strong smell of petrol. luckily I know someone who knows a bit about cars so they came to help me and it turned out the fuel pipe had come loose so they fixed it back in. And has been ok for last couple of days but yesterday it started reaking of fuel again and was some on leaking on the road. I came to go out in it last night and now it won't even start. :( tried again this morning and still won't start. I've checked under the bonnet ( pretty clueless ) but fuel pipe isn't loose so can't be that. I do know it's been overfilled with oil and needs an oil pump. could this be causing the issue?

Any ideas what else it could be? As it can't be driven so can't get it to a garage at the moment.

Tried googling it and seems there are issues with fuel pumps and relays on this model.

Only had it a month but it was a private sale sold as seen. I've been in touch with previous owner but they said it never had this problem and I have to say for past month has shown no signs of it. I do know it has other issues like a back box that needs replacing, new shock absorbers and 2 new back wheels as I had it checked over by a garage just after I bought it but they never mentioned any issues petrol or fuel pump wise.

Just concerned if this is a big issue coupled with other work that needs doing that it may be better to scrap it? Or sell as spares and repairs.

Any advice appreciated especially on the fuel issue/reason for non starting.


Renault Scenic - Renault Scenic won't start - strong smell of fuel - cherry1980
Forgot to say I don't think it's totally out of fuel as the gauge is a quarter full unless this is faulty too.
Renault Scenic - Renault Scenic won't start - strong smell of fuel - Fernando P

It is difficult for us to properly diagnose the problem in this case, without looking under the bonnet etc. What you need is some practical mechanical help from someone who can do this. For what you have reported so far, it is likely that a fuel leak persists somewhere.

Renault Scenic - Renault Scenic won't start - strong smell of fuel - littleolliez

Sold as seen means nothing people try to hide behind thinking they are smart. I would say if they mark up as sold as seen they probably knew about the problem. If the car had the problem before and they knew about it not that they would admit it they have sold you something un satifactory for purpose, aswell as something which is dangerous to your self and other road users. I would seek advice from trading standards about it.

Renault Scenic - Renault Scenic won't start - strong smell of fuel - alan1302

Sold as seen means nothing people try to hide behind thinking they are smart. I would say if they mark up as sold as seen they probably knew about the problem. If the car had the problem before and they knew about it not that they would admit it they have sold you something un satifactory for purpose, aswell as something which is dangerous to your self and other road users. I would seek advice from trading standards about it.

It was a private sale so is was sold as seen. As long as the seller has not lied about anything he was asked thene there is no come back.