So, I just installed the new filter and let it run for 15 minutes. It's running smoothly again, no longer sputtering, and is running normally. I think it really was mainly the ECU,
and all the trying to get it started when it wouldn't, there was probably still a lot of fuel in the system, which caused the sputtering.

I want to thank you all again for the great help! Fantastic!

I have one more small question. It was idling and even got over 100 degrees Celsius. But the fan never came on, and I'm a big fan of it kicking in early.
There's the electrical connection on the fan and the temperature sensor somewhere. Where is that located? Or is it normal for it to come on very late?
I didn't want to overheat it any further.