VW Bora Stalling: EVAP System Failure Warning Signs

I had the exact same symptoms on my 2005 VW Golf 2.0 gasoline about 6 months ago. Given my moderate experience with VAG cars, I first thought it was related to the purge valve, but it turned out to be the activated charcoal filter causing issues with the emission control system. The symptoms matched perfectly, stalling at idle and constant check engine light. The pressure sensor was reporting irregular readings due to the defective filter affecting proper air flow in the EVAP system. These symptoms really impact fuel efficiency and overall engine performance. Took it to my regular workshop where they diagnosed the issue using their diagnostic tool. They confirmed the activated charcoal filter was completely clogged and needed replacement. Total repair cost was 275€ including parts and labor, which solved the issue completely. To help narrow down your specific case, could you share: Have you scanned for error codes? Does the stalling happen more frequently when the tank is nearly full? Any unusual fuel smell around the car? Has your fuel efficiency dropped noticeably? These details would help determine if your issue is identical to what I experienced with my Golf.

I just had my last service done at 47000km and the mechanic checked the emission control system thoroughly. The leak detection pump was working fine then, but now the check engine light issue and stalling started suddenly. Based on multiple forum discussions, the symptoms match a faulty pressure sensor in the EVAP system. The air flow readings are likely incorrect, causing the engine management system to miscalculate the fuel mixture. An important detail I forgot to mention in my initial post: the stalling mostly happens after refueling, which strengthens the EVAP system theory. I did notice a slight fuel smell near the tank cap area. The local parts supplier quoted 180€ for the sensor alone. I want to be certain before spending that much on parts that might not fix the issue.

Based on my experience with my Golf, those additional symptoms you described really point towards an EVAP system fault. The stalling after refueling and fuel smell are exactly what I experienced before discovering the clogged charcoal filter. The pressure sensor price seems steep at 180€, and it might not be the root cause. In my case, the faulty charcoal filter was causing incorrect pressure readings, making the system think there was a sensor problem. The system failure warnings can be misleading sometimes. Since your leak detection pump checks out fine, I suggest having the charcoal filter tested first. The air flow issues and check engine warnings could be triggered by a degraded filter, just like in my case. The complete filter replacement including labor was around 275€ at my shop, which might be more cost-effective than replacing the sensor first. A quick test my mechanic showed me: try loosening the fuel cap slightly and see if the stalling improves. If it does, this confirms the pressure-related nature of the problem and points more toward the filter than the sensor. Have you noticed any change in fuel consumption since these symptoms started? This could help confirm whether we are dealing with the same root cause.

Thanks for the detailed reply and sharing your Golf experience. I checked my fuel consumption logs and noticed about 15% higher consumption since the problems started, which matches what you described with the clogged filter theory. I tried the fuel cap test you suggested and the engine actually ran smoother with it slightly loose. This seems to confirm the pressure-related nature of the problem. The fuel smell is also more noticeable after doing this test. Given these results and the similarities with your case, I will have the charcoal filter checked first before replacing the expensive pressure sensor. The 275€ total repair cost for the filter replacement sounds more reasonable than gambling with sensor replacement alone at 180€. My gut feeling about the EVAP system being the culprit was right, but I was focusing on the wrong component. The leak detection and air flow symptoms make much more sense now when considering a clogged filter. I will schedule an appointment with my regular shop to have the filter tested and likely replaced.