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ASchmittRacer

BMW i3 Power Issues: Fuel Regulator or Something Else?

Stalling while idling

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Check engine light on

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Loss of engine power

Hi everyone! I'm having issues with my 2016 BMW i3 hybrid and need some input. The car's showing multiple symptoms: stalling and speed fluctuations at idle, sluggish throttle response, reduced power, and a check engine light. I suspect it might be the fuel volume regulator. Has anyone dealt with similar symptoms on their i3? I'm particularly interested in hearing about repair experiences and workshop solutions. What was the actual fix in your case? Thanks in advance for any insights.

4 comment(s)


juliuswagner1

Hi there! I have some experience with hybrid vehicles and had a similar issue with my 2018 BMW i8 (switched from an i4). From what you're describing, it sounds very familiar. My car showed almost identical symptoms, the sluggish response and power issues were particularly frustrating. Turned out it was the high pressure pump that was failing. Had to get it replaced at the workshop, and it wasn't cheap, cost me around 1510 Euro for the whole repair. The symptoms cleared up completely after the fix, and the car's been running smoothly since then. My mechanic mentioned this isn't uncommon in hybrid BMWs of that generation. Could you share more details about when these symptoms started and if you notice them more under specific conditions (like cold starts or after refueling)? Also, have you scanned for error codes? This would help narrow down if you're dealing with the same issue.

ASchmittRacer (Author)

Thanks for sharing your experience! My issue actually started right after my latest service last month. I tried scanning for error codes, and it showed P0087, which apparently relates to fuel system pressure. I mainly notice it during morning starts and it gets a bit better after the engine warms up, but the sluggish response is still there. I've had mine since new and maintained it well (38822 KM on the clock), so this is my first major problem. Your i8 situation does sound eerily similar to what I'm experiencing. That repair cost sounds steep, but if it fixes the problem completely, it might be worth it. Did you get any warning signs before the high pressure pump completely failed?

ASchmittRacer (Author)

Thanks for sharing your experience! My issue actually started right after my latest service last month. I tried scanning for error codes, and it showed P0087, which apparently relates to fuel system pressure. I mainly notice it during morning starts and it gets a bit better after the engine warms up, but the sluggish response is still there. I've had mine since new and maintained it well (38822 KM on the clock), so this is my first major problem. Your i8 situation does sound eerily similar to what I'm experiencing. That repair cost sounds steep, but if it fixes the problem completely, it might be worth it. Did you get any warning signs before the high pressure pump completely failed?

juliuswagner1

Hey again! Thanks for those extra details about your i3. Yeah, that P0087 code is exactly what I got with my i8 before the high pressure pump went completely. Actually, the timing of your issue starting after a service is interesting, mine also began acting up after routine maintenance. And just like yours, my symptoms were worst during cold starts. Looking back, I had about two weeks of increasingly weird behavior before things got really bad, started with just the occasional hesitation, then got progressively worse with the stalling and power loss. Since you asked about warning signs, yes, definitely had them. First noticed the engine getting a bit rougher at idle, especially when cold. Then came the unusual power dips while driving, which got more frequent over time. When the pump was really going bad, I could actually hear a slight whining noise from the engine bay. I know the repair cost I mentioned sounds scary, but honestly, it was worth every penny to get it sorted properly. My i8's been running like a dream for the past 14 months since the fix. Given your symptoms and that error code, I'd say get it checked sooner rather than later, these issues usually don't fix themselves and can potentially cause more damage if left too long. Just curious, have you noticed any unusual noises from the engine bay? That whining sound I mentioned might be worth looking out for.

ASchmittRacer (Author)

Thanks so much for that detailed response about your i8 experience! The similarities are quite striking, and yes, I've actually started noticing a faint whining sound just this week. It's most noticeable during cold starts, which makes a lot of sense given what you've shared. I've just booked an appointment with my mechanic for next week. Your description of how the symptoms progressed has convinced me not to wait any longer. Better to tackle it now than risk more extensive damage. The repair cost isn't ideal, but I guess that's part of owning these high-tech vehicles. I really appreciate you taking the time to share all those details about your experience, it's helped me make a more informed decision about how to handle this. I'll make sure to have them specifically check the high pressure pump during the inspection. Wouldn't have thought to mention that without your input. Here's hoping it's a straightforward fix like yours was!

ASchmittRacer (Author)

Thanks so much for that detailed response about your i8 experience! The similarities are quite striking, and yes, I've actually started noticing a faint whining sound just this week. It's most noticeable during cold starts, which makes a lot of sense given what you've shared. I've just booked an appointment with my mechanic for next week. Your description of how the symptoms progressed has convinced me not to wait any longer. Better to tackle it now than risk more extensive damage. The repair cost isn't ideal, but I guess that's part of owning these high-tech vehicles. I really appreciate you taking the time to share all those details about your experience, it's helped me make a more informed decision about how to handle this. I'll make sure to have them specifically check the high pressure pump during the inspection. Wouldn't have thought to mention that without your input. Here's hoping it's a straightforward fix like yours was!

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