Clio Cold Start Issue

I also own a Clio, and your problem sounds eerily familiar. The poor engine running and shuddering during cold starts really rings a bell. It was like the engine was protesting the very idea of getting to work. Have you tried any injector cleaner additives to your fuel? What does the exhaust smell like during these hard starts? Have you checked for any other symptoms, like poor fuel economy?

Thanks for your reply! I haven't tried any injector cleaner additives yet; that's a good suggestion. The exhaust smells a bit rich, like unburnt fuel. I hadn't thought to check fuel economy, but now that you mention it, it seems like I am filling up more frequently than usual. Could you share more details about your experience? Did cleaning the injectors resolve the issue for you?

In my case, the injector cleaner helped a bit, but the issue kept resurfacing. It seems like we have the same symptoms. The rich smell points towards a fuel delivery issue, which could very well be a defective injector. My mechanic recommended replacing the injector as a more permanent solution. It might be time to take your Clio to a workshop, as driving with a faulty injector can cause other damages. Getting a proper diagnosis is crucial.

I appreciate you sharing your experience. It sounds like my Clio is indeed suffering from the same ailment as yours did. The rich smell and the poor fuel economy all seem to align. I will take your advice and schedule an appointment with my local workshop to get it properly diagnosed and, most likely, replace the cold start injector. They quoted me around 515€ for the replacement. Thanks again for helping me to identify the most probable cause.