Not at all, I didn't take it as dismissive.

Thanks for that all. I will try that. This was just the 1st forum I came too.

Sorry it's a petrol one and thanks for the advice that's what I suspect as well. Sounds like it's mobile mechanic time if it doesn't start this afternoon.

Hi, I am new here so I hope I posted this in the right place. My wife has a '04 Clio 1.2 Dynamic (40,000 miles) and last week has problems starting it. Kept cranking and cranking and nothing. Then I got home expecting a dead battery and one 5 second crank nothing then second crank started right up no probs after that for a week. This morning a week later the same problem. The thing is with modern engines I haven't a clue where to look. There is plenty of crank amps and the battery seems very strong just no indication what could be wrong. It doesn't even think of firing. Also it wouldn't suprise me if I went home this afternoon and it starts like last week. If it starts and I take it to a garage with it running will they just look at me weird as if to say "what's the problem it's running" or will they have understood this sort of thing? Just as a stab I asked a neighbor and he mantioned a problem that happened to him and he mentions the crankshaft sensor (or maybe he said sender) can't remember. Well to make a short story long has anyone experienced this? Any advice will be welcomed. Greg