Hi, when I first start my car on a morning it struggles to start but will get going, if I then drive somewhere and turn the car off it wont start again. Also the temperature gauge is always on the bottom however when it first happened it kept going to middle for a few seconds then back to the bottom. Does anyone have any ideas of what this could be? Also when I am driving and then put my clutch in when I'm coming to a stop the revs stay around the 1500-2000 mark? Thanks and please help, my car is in the south of France and no French mechanic seems to want to help.

 

at a guess a air leak or faulty idle control valve

 

Okay thanks for that, I spoke to a mechanic in England and he thought it might be the temperature sensor or the engine coolant temperature sensor so still not sure

 

for the gauge maybe but not the running issues

 

Okay thanks for that, thats helpful!

 

Maybe the camshaft sensor needs replacing? it's a cheap part either way. There's a known fault with the focus dash clocks and fix or replace is the way to go there.

 

Okay I will try replacing both sensors, because I am in France I will have to do the work myself, are they easy to change?

 

They are very easy. The camshaft position sensor is about a quarter way down rear drivers side of the engine. There's a 10mm bolt holding it on. The cylinder head temp sensor is in the middle of the spark plugs with a wire coming out of it. It should just pull up (I think) then you will need to seal with silicone after, just to prevent water getting at it.

 

Okay that helps so much, I will change those and see what happens, thanks