X7 Fuel System Troubles: Stalling and Interior Gas Odor

Had a similar issue with my 2018 BMW X5 40i last year. The symptoms you're describing match exactly what I experienced, fuel odor, check engine light, and stalling at idle. Turned out to be a defective activated charcoal filter in the EVAP system. Got it diagnosed at the garage where they confirmed my suspicion. The activated charcoal filter (also called the carbon canister) wasn't properly filtering fuel vapors, causing them to leak into the cabin. The repair wasn't particularly complex, but it's crucial to fix it promptly as it's both a safety and emissions concern. Make sure your mechanic specifically checks the EVAP system and the purge valve. They'll need to run a smoke test to confirm any leaks. When I had mine fixed, they ended up replacing the entire charcoal filter assembly and purge valve. The car has been running perfectly since then. This isn't a major mechanical issue, but it definitely needs attention. Better to address it now before it leads to more significant problems.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That definitely sounds like what I'm dealing with. Just curious, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? And has everything been running smoothly since then, or have you noticed any other quirks pop up? Would be great to know what I might be looking at cost-wise and if I should prepare for any other potential issues with my X7.

Hey there! Yeah, I can totally help with the cost info. I just had this fixed last month actually, ended up paying 275 € for the entire repair, which included replacing the defective activated charcoal filter. And I've got some good news, everything's been running like a dream since then! The fuel smell is completely gone, no more check engine light, and the engine runs super smooth, even at idle. I was pretty relieved it wasn't anything more serious. Once they replaced that charcoal filter in the EVAP system, all those annoying symptoms just disappeared. No other issues have popped up since the repair, so I'd say you're probably looking at a similar straightforward fix. One piece of advice though, make sure they do a proper smoke test to confirm it's definitely the ventilation system leak. Better to be thorough and get it right the first time. But yeah, based on my experience, once it's fixed, you should be good to go!

Thanks so much for all the details! I feel much better now knowing what I'm dealing with. I actually just got back from the mechanic today, and you were spot on, it was the charcoal filter in the EVAP system. The repair cost was pretty similar to what you paid, and they did do the smoke test you mentioned. The whole experience wasn't nearly as stressful as I feared. The mechanic was really thorough and explained everything clearly. Best part is, I took it for a test drive afterward, and all the issues are gone, no more fuel smell, no stalling, and that annoying check engine light is finally off! Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. It helped me know exactly what to ask about and what to expect. Now I can finally enjoy driving my X7 again without worrying about those symptoms!