Alfa GTV Stalling: EVAP System Leak Repair Guide

Had a similar issue on my 2006 Alfa Romeo 156 with the 2.0L gasoline engine. The symptoms matched exactly, stalling at idle and check engine light. After proper leak detection tests, it turned out to be a failed purge valve and deteriorated charcoal filter in the EVAP system. The activated charcoal filter was completely saturated, preventing proper fuel tank ventilation. This caused system failure in the emission control unit, leading to those exact stalling issues. Its a known weak point in these engines. The repair involved replacing both the purge valve and charcoal filter assembly. Not a complex fix but requires specific diagnostic equipment to verify the EVAP system is properly sealed after repair. The job took about 3 hours including testing. This isnt a repair you want to delay, a compromised EVAP system can lead to fuel pressure problems and potential engine damage. The symptoms typically worsen over time, especially in warmer weather when fuel vapors expand more. Best approach is finding a shop with proper diagnostic tools for emission control systems. Generic scanners often miss the specific fault codes these systems generate.

Really appreciate your detailed response. Your symptoms match my GTV exactly. I also noticed the stalling gets much worse on hot days, which makes sense given the EVAP system connection you mentioned. Think I will get it fixed soon to avoid bigger fuel pressure issues. Quick question, do you remember roughly what you paid for the complete repair? Also curious if you have had any related problems since getting it fixed? The quote I got seems quite high compared to normal service costs. The air flow and pressure sensor readings are all over the place according to my diagnostic tool, which seems to support your conclusion about the system being compromised.

Just wanted to follow up, had the repair done last week and it completely resolved those stalling issues. The shop replaced the defective activated charcoal filter, which was indeed the root cause affecting the EVAP system performance. Total cost was 275 Euro, much more reasonable than your quote. The pressure sensor readings have stabilized and the engine runs smoothly now, even during the recent hot weather. The air flow measurements returned to normal ranges too. My 156 hasnt shown any related problems since the fix, fuel efficiency has actually improved slightly. That 950 Euro quote you received seems excessive for what turned out to be a straightforward charcoal filter replacement. Might be worth getting a second opinion from a shop that specializes in emission control systems and leak detection. The repair solved all the symptoms, no more stalling, stable idle, and check engine light cleared. These EVAP system issues are definitely worth addressing promptly to prevent more serious fuel system complications.

Found a reliable mechanic through a local Alfa owners group who diagnosed it properly. The pressure sensor readings helped confirm it was indeed the EVAP system causing problems. The mechanic found a deteriorated charcoal filter and leaking fuel tank ventilation line. Total repair cost came to 380 Euro, much better than the original quote. They replaced both components and ran a full emission control system test to verify everything was sealed properly. The air flow readings returned to normal immediately after the fix. Really glad I sought other opinions instead of rushing into the expensive repair. The engine runs perfectly now, no more stalling issues and the check engine light has stayed off. Fuel economy has even improved a bit since the EVAP system is working correctly again. For anyone facing similar issues, definitely worth checking multiple shops that understand these specific emission control systems. The right diagnostic equipment makes a huge difference in pinpointing the exact problem.