Xsara engine stalling

Sounds familiar! I once had a similar problem with my old Opel. The check engine light was on constantly, and the engine would stall at idle. It turned out to be a defective activated charcoal filter in the fuel tank ventilation system. Have you checked that? It can cause all sorts of weird issues with fuel efficiency and can trigger the 'check engine' warning.

Interesting! I hadn't considered the charcoal filter specifically. Where exactly is it located, and is it something I can check myself, or does it require special equipment?

On my Opel, the charcoal filter was tucked away near the fuel tank, kind of a pain to get to. Honestly, unless you're really comfortable working on cars, I'd suggest taking it to a workshop. A system failure like this can be tricky. They can run proper diagnostics to confirm the issue and replace the filter. It's better than messing something up and ending up with a bigger repair bill!

Thanks for the advice! I took it to my local trusted mechanic, and you were spot on—it was indeed a defective activated charcoal filter. The replacement, including diagnostics, cost me 275€. Now, it runs smoothly. I really appreciate the help!