Punto (Mk2/2b) newbie having problems starting her punto

[shutton]

Hi all,
i am in desperate need of help and advice. I have a 56 plate 1.4 punto grande dynamic. About a month or so ago i started to have intermittent problems starting it for the first time in the day. Now the first time i try to start the car no matter what time of day it is, it struggles to start. To me it seems as though there is no fuel getting through to the engine. after about 6 or 7 attempts with my foot to the floor it eventually splutters into life. I then have no further problems throughout the day. A fiat specialist has looks at it and changed the engine temperature sensor, this hasn't helped at all, if anything its made it harder to start. Does anyone have any ideas? I don't want to take it to my local dealer just yet , thats the last resort
thanks

 

[fingers99]

I'd have changed the water temp sensor (green coded sensor, on the inlet manifold, next to the thermostat, BWTH.

Plugs, leads?

 

[Dcthebear]

Does the red engine light (ecu light) come on? If so you'll have a fault code.