BMW X7 Rough Idle Mystery: Stalling Engine Needs Help

Had similar issues with my 2020 BMW X5 40i. Last month, it turned out my intake manifold was heavily contaminated with carbon deposits, not just the idle control valve. Symptoms matched yours exactly: rough idle, unusual stalls, and that annoying check engine light. The techs did a thorough intake cleaning service and replaced a couple of sensors that were affected by the buildup. It was actually quite serious since the carbon deposits were restricting proper airflow and fuel mixture. If left untreated, it could've led to bigger engine problems down the line. My advice? Don't wait on this one. Find a certified BMW specialist who can properly diagnose it. Could be the idle control valve, but based on my experience, have them check the entire intake system. The symptoms often point to multiple related issues rather than just one component.

Thanks for sharing that! Same thing actually happened with my X7 last year. That's really interesting about the carbon deposits, definitely sounds similar to what I experienced. Mind if I ask how much the whole repair set you back? And has everything been running smoothly since the fix? I'm trying to get a sense of whether I should prepare for any follow-up issues or additional costs.

Hey there! Happy to give you an update. After getting it fixed, my X5 has been running like a dream, no more rough idling or stalling issues whatsoever. The total bill came to 425 € for the complete intake cleaning and sorting out that bad idle air control valve. Money well spent, if you ask me! It's been about three weeks since the repair, and the engine's purring like a kitten. No check engine lights, no problems, nothing. The mechanic showed me just how gunked up everything was, pretty eye-opening stuff! The best part? My fuel economy has actually improved a bit since the cleaning. I'd definitely recommend getting yours checked out properly. Just make sure you find someone who really knows BMWs. They might find other small issues while they're in there, but catching them early usually saves money in the long run. Let me know if you need anything else, always happy to help a fellow BMW owner!

Just wanted to update everyone on what happened with my X7. Finally got it checked out yesterday at a BMW specialist and guess what? You were spot on! The intake system was completely clogged with carbon deposits, and the idle control valve needed replacing too. The mechanic was great, really took the time to show me what was wrong. Total repair came to about 500, which included a full system cleaning and the new valve. Bit pricey, but totally worth it. The car's running smooth as silk now, no more stalling or rough idle. I'm actually really relieved I didn't wait longer to get it fixed. The mechanic said it could've gotten much worse if left unchecked. Plus, like you mentioned, I've noticed better fuel efficiency already. Thanks everyone for pushing me to get it properly checked out, saved me from potentially bigger problems down the road! Think I've finally found a trustworthy mechanic too, which is a huge bonus. Really appreciate all the advice!