My car appears to have a problem starting when it has been parked with a warm engine after a 20 mile drive on hot days. It has been at my local garage, who have been trying to sort out a coolant leek, for the last 4 days but it has started for them first time everytime.  I picked it up about 11am this morning and drove it 20 odd miles to my work place. roads were a mixture of dual carrageway and single carriageway with no traffic holds up.

 

Went to take it out a lunchtime to see if it is using coolant and the engine was turning over but not starting. last time this happened I left the bonnet up, the air temp cooled due to rain and shortly afterwards about 4.30pm the cars coughed and spluttered into life and I was able to drive home

 

Any suggestions on why this is happening?

15 hours ago, John Bridger said:

My car appears to have a problem starting when it has been parked with a warm engine after a 20 mile drive on hot days. It has been at my local garage, who have been trying to sort out a coolant leek, for the last 4 days but it has started for them first time everytime.  I picked it up about 11am this morning and drove it 20 odd miles to my work place. roads were a mixture of dual carrageway and single carriageway with no traffic holds up.

 

Went to take it out a lunchtime to see if it is using coolant and the engine was turning over but not starting. last time this happened I left the bonnet up, the air temp cooled due to rain and shortly afterwards about 4.30pm the cars coughed and spluttered into life and I was able to drive home

 

Any suggestions on why this is happening?

Had a similar problem on a sizuki vitara. Turned out to be a defective cam sensor. Im not suggesting its the same but removing it and cleaning may improve it. (Unless it doesnt have one). May as well check crank sensor as well for metal fillings and give it a good clean. Start with the free to check items 1st before spending money on parts you may not need. If fitted with a pcv, it also may be worth removing and cleaning but give all items a good visual check over as tiny gaps in the plastic body can play games with its original function.