I have gotten most of the issues out of the way with my 97 T-5 as we approach the 290k mile mark. The one lingering issue that I cannot seem to figure out is the stalling and choking problems when the car is restarted and the ENGINE is WARM. Outside temp does not seem to effect this. HOT starts are fine. Cold starts are fine. Quick restarts are fine (shut off - turn back on less than 10 minutes after shut off). Starts no problem after sitting all day.

After the car has been sitting for about 30 min to 3 hours, the car will choke, stutter, bog down and stall upon start up. Sometimes I have to start it 4 or 6 times before it "catches". Catching is felt as an increase in revs and smooth idle. And when it does catch, there are no other problems. In order to get it to start, when it begins to bog down and choke - I have to pump the gas very quickly to keep it alive, then after A LOT of pumping the car will start (like the old carburetor cars when the choke would stick or it was flooded). I DO NOT see a big cloud of smoke out the tail pipe as you would imagine.

So here is what I have tried after spending many hours reviewing posts. Have pulled MAF connector - no change. Brand new Bosch O2 sensors. New ECT. Cleaned IAC. New Vacuum lines. NO CODES.

Have also tried the fuel relay jumper... no success.

 

When you get it warm, let it set till it won't start. Try spraying some starting fluid in it and see if it fires. I can't give you a solution but if it fires you know it's a fuel delivery problem. Post your results.

 

I was thinking along the same lines.. if you have a fuel pressure gauge, reading the rail pressure during the failure mode would be helpful.

 

Have you tried anything? Any new developments

 

When was the last time the fuel filter and PCV system was replaced?