Renault Safrane (1992 - 2000) - 1995 2.2vi overfuelling/rough running on start

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Sun 9 Nov 2008 21:59
1995 2.2vi overfuelling/rough running on start - milestq1
This car is just so comfortable and economical for its size! Unfortunately now on about one in every 5 starts it runs very roughly at about 600rpm with a strong smell of petrol from the exhaust. It's almost as if not all the cylinders are firing initially. If you switch off and try again it may start perfectly OK, but more often the revs slowly creep up to 1000 to 1200 and the rough running gradually smooths as the revs increase over a period of about 4/5 minutes. I have fitted a new idle valve and coolant sensor and checked the ECU connections, but no improvement. There are a couple of connector blocks under the ECU and I am thinking about soldering the connections in these, just in case. One of these is for the injectors. Otherwise it may have to be an exchange ECU, although the engine runs fine most of the time, and if it has started to run smoothly it does so for the whole trip. Could this be ignition lead related? It seems to happen more in the Autumn and Winter. I have tried Renault main dealer for diagnostics, but been told their latest kit isn't compatible with the Safrane, and they don't have staff who can remember much about the engine management system. In my exasperation I called the RAC to witness the rough running / petrol smell which eventually cured before their eyes - the RAC man radioed a colleague, describing my Safrane as having a "female problem - being unpredictable"...It's probably best if I don't agree with that! I would, however, really appreciate any helpful comments or suggestions please?

Edited by Pugugly on 09/11/2008 at 22:01

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Mon 10 Nov 2008 07:36
1995 2.2vi overfuelling/rough running on start - elekie&a/c doctor
If not all cylinders are firing ,then I would suspect an ignition Ht fault.Spark plugs ,ht leads would be my favourite.Does this model have a distributor?If so check rotor arm and cap contacts for corrosion.Very unlikely to be the Ecu.hth
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Mon 10 Nov 2008 23:08
1995 2.2vi overfuelling/rough running on start - milestq1
Many thanks for this. Will replace the leads and plugs at the weekend - if it ever stops raining - I have both in the cupboard. I renewed the distributor cap and arm a couple of years ago, but will give these a good clean. May well be damp related, or even due to condensation? The safrane ran very rough today when wife drove it the short distance to the station tonight after it sat outside in the wind and rain all day. When I went there to recover it it started and ran perfectly for me!
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