Sputters, dies for first minute then almost fine -*SOLVED

[850TurboTurtle]

***Solution: We changed the plugs and removed and cleaned the injectors with brake part cleaner and then it ran perfectly.***

This is an 02 S60 in really nice shape. Zero problems until the alternator went out last year. Now when starting it acts like it has water in the fuel lines for about a minute: sputters, dies, rough idle until it dies, will even die if you can get it to rev above 3000, when at its worst. At its best it will just have an occasional shudder the first few seconds then be fine. But it settles out and runs fine after it clears its throat. Then the problem reappears after stopping the engine for a while.

Here's the chronology and details:

Electrical system warning light last summer, then started dying after 20 minutes of dying and needed a jump. Traced to bad alternator. Let it sit through the winter and did the alternator job over a month ago, but then it wouldn't restart. The tank was almost empty so I assumed condensation.
Added 2 gallons and a line drier. Wouldn't start.
Added five more a couple weeks later and it started but would die after a few seconds.
Finally ran the starter long enough that it seemed to clear out and started running rough, dying, restarting. Just like water in the fuel.
Once running somewhat reliably I took it down to the corner gas station and got 3/4 tank and more line drier.
Getting better but unreliable. Idled for an hour and then topped off the tank. Seemed to be running fine. So I drove it 20 miles with no problem.
Then when restarting it returned to the old problems of sputtering and dying the first minute or so.
Finally drove it 120 miles on couple highway trips with several stops. It would run fine after the first minute, and regularly sputter after sitting for 10 minutes or so and being restarted.

**Seems to be getting worse fuel economy now: 27mpg rather than 31+ on the highway like it used to. Maybe just a little less perky than it used to be too. (5 turbo engine)

**It's been enough miles and two fill-ups now that I don't suspect water in the tank any more. Would it be a fouled or stuck injector?

**No engine codes. It had an electrical service message before the alternator job but that has cleared out. Ran a cheap scanner on it and got nothing.

**slight odor of gas in the car sometimes. I think the seal on the fuel pump lid under the back seat may have a small crack or something. That was the case before the alternator went bad last year and just haven't gotten to checking that yet.

[Vova585]

Nonethanol gas.
High quality fuel injector cleaner
Oil change(you likeky have so much gas in it from rough starts)
Fuel pressure check with running and also upon sitting for 10-20 min(however long it takes you to recreate the problem)
What condition is your fuel filter(sometimes the ruat and leak slowly)
Thats would be my basic start prior to scanners, trims, etc..

[RickHaleParker]

1. Clean the inside of the Throttle Body, Carbon messing with the butterfly.
2. If that does not fix it, coolant sensor next.
3. Leaking Fuel Injectors, too rich of air/fuel mixture on startup.

[volvolugnut]

1. Clean the inside of the Throttle Body, Carbon messing with the butterfly.
2. If that does not fix it, coolant sensor next.
3. Leaking Fuel Injectors, too rich of air/fuel mixture on startup.

Welcome back Rick.
volvolugnut

[jonesg]

2002 has no pem, fuel pressure requires a gauge to monitor the pump.
i would get a cheap gauge from amazon.
55 psi prime, 50 running, 40 psi 30 minutes after shut down. (check the numbers, this is from memory)

try priming the fuel system 3 times before starting. key on, key off ...3 times.

Possibly vapor lock too, due leaky injector.

[Vova585]

1. Clean the inside of the Throttle Body, Carbon messing with the butterfly.
2. If that does not fix it, coolant sensor next.
3. Leaking Fuel Injectors, too rich of air/fuel mixture on startup.

Throttle body? If it is dirty it will be having issies with idle consistently. So doubt that.
Coolant sensor? Maybe, but should first check the resistance and compare to spec. Leaking fuke injector- sure, but it is diagnosed through fuel pressure reading first.

[Noie]

I had rough running on cold start, albeit seemingly not as severe as your issue. Check viewtopic.php?p=676639#p676639, ended up being a bad VVT solenoid causing a code, which I never cleared.

[jonesg]

This is an 02 S60

**No engine codes. It had an electrical service message before the alternator job but that has cleared out.
Ran a cheap scanner on it and got nothing.

I would run vida on it.