Suddenly won't start, just sputters. 2002 S60 Topic is solved

[850TurboTurtle]

I drove it 60 miles yesterday. Today when I went to start it up it gave a first sputter, then stalled after 1-2 seconds. Then it refused to start at all, except for an occasional sputter when first cranking. Plenty of cranking power on a new battery. No previous problems of any kind on this car.

I bled the Schrader valve on the fuel rail - didn't appear to have any bubbles. I have over 1/8 tank of gas, nothing new from what I drove on yesterday. Weather hasn't changed: still mild and pleasant.

So - the possibilities I can think of are: clogged fuel filter, water in the fuel, bad injector, bad computer, or punk rock demons mad at my smooth jazz summer CD collection.

I don't know how to get the codes on this since I can't get to the Autozone down the street.

Any suggestions or things to try next?

[br0dy519]

Did it fire up this morning after letting it sit overnight? This happened to me when i flooded my engine after doing a PCV job. Does it sound like the starter is engaging ?

[jonesg]

I drove it 60 miles yesterday. Today when I went to start it up it gave a first sputter, then stalled after 1-2 seconds. Then it refused to start at all, except for an occasional sputter when first cranking. Plenty of cranking power on a new battery. No previous problems of any kind on this car.

I bled the Schrader valve on the fuel rail - didn't appear to have any bubbles. I have over 1/8 tank of gas, nothing new from what I drove on yesterday. Weather hasn't changed: still mild and pleasant.

So - the possibilities I can think of are: clogged fuel filter, water in the fuel, bad injector, bad computer, or punk rock demons mad at my smooth jazz summer CD collection.

I don't know how to get the codes on this since I can't get to the Autozone down the street.

Any suggestions or things to try next?

unplug the maf and try again.

[850TurboTurtle]

Did it fire up this morning after letting it sit overnight?

No joy. The starter is engaging and turning nice and fast with a battery that's only a few months old. I checked spark and we have that. I'm thinking fuel pump or filter has failed?

[850TurboTurtle]

I did a OBD code check and it had no codes. Any ideas on how to check fuel delivery rate?

[jonesg]

read pressure with vida , other scanner or a pressure gauge at the rail.
which model/yr car is this.

[Krons]

I bled the Schrader valve on the fuel rail - didn't appear to have any bubbles.
——
So - the possibilities I can think of are: clogged fuel filter, water in the fuel, bad injector, bad computer

I recently replaced my fuel pressure sensor on my 08 S60, was a lot of fuel pressure at the rail, six paper towels soaked with fuel. Agree with checking pressure via a scan tool. Fuel filter isn’t terribly expensive, I’d suspect fuel pump…assuming pressure is low.

[850TurboTurtle]

I popped in a new mehle fuel filter in about ten minutes. Started right up, seems to drive well. I’ll report back if anything changes in the next few days.

But it looks like a $25 fix.

[MoVolvos]

I popped in a new mehle fuel filter in about ten minutes. Started right up, seems to drive well. I’ll report back if anything changes in the next few days.

But it looks like a $25 fix.

.
Interesting that it went from all to none. I was going to suggest ETM yesterday but I kept getting auto logged out. Have replaced very few fuel filters over the years and never had one go out so good to know. If I ever have a no start situation will have to check the pressure rather than just seeing fuel from the Shraeder valve.
.

[Krons]

Good result. I’ve changed the fuel filter as first step of ownership on my three P2s, one for sure picked up a little power, and good maintenance to do on these cars.