1999 Renault Scenic struggling to start

The Renault 1.9 diesel is a tough and generally reliable old lump, but it does need its glow-plugs to get it going. I managed to get mine to start on three, two and - finally - one glow plug out of four. But that was extreme and is not very advisable...
Glow plugs only seem to last between 40 - 70,000 miles from my own experience.

You don't mention much detail in your post, but I would suspect that one or more glow plugs has given up.

Grey/white smoke pumping out the back when it finally starts? After a few revs, that smoke clears?

Juddery, irregular start to the engine while you keep churning away on the starter motor, then all four cylinders fire up, one after another and the engine ticks over smoothly from then on?

Glow plugs would be the place that I would start my search.

the glow plugs are new and it still does it]

Hi Daryl,

Did you eventually got the starting problem solved? I have a Renault Scenic II 1.9dCi, same problem... I must be extremely lucky to get it started the first time. By now it takes about 3 to 4 attempts before it starts.

I had it at a couple of work shops but all could not diagnose the problem. Many says it's the glow plugs, but there is also those who suspects a fuel pump or injectors.

Awaiting your reply
Regards

Hi,

After my original post, now my car suddenly started to get so bad that after 10 attempts sometimes even more it will start "getting spark" (it's a diesel i know it's not spark.. ;-) it just seems like it)
and then sputter and then the starter motor will start turning faster and faster, and the it will start with a lot of white smoke (and what soiunds like flooding). The glow plugs on my 1.9 dCi is still 100% after test?

I am now at the stage of getting me a new car, but can't get my Scenic sold for a good price as people aren't interested, because of the start problem.

Please help