BMW 7 Diesel Stalling: Fuel Regulator Warning Signs

I had nearly identical issues with my 2016 BMW 5 series diesel last year. The symptoms you're describing match exactly what I experienced, rough idle, stalling, drop in power, and CEL. Initially thought it was something minor, but it turned out to be a failed high-pressure fuel pump. Had it diagnosed at the dealership, and they confirmed the high-pressure pump was the culprit. The repair involved replacing the entire pump assembly and cleaning the fuel system. It was a serious job that took about two days to complete, but absolutely necessary to prevent further damage to the fuel injection system. Since the repair, my car has been running perfectly, smooth idle, proper power delivery, and no warning lights. Given your symptoms, I'd strongly suggest getting it checked specifically for the high-pressure pump. The longer you wait, the higher the risk of damaging other components.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience, it's really helpful to hear from someone who went through the same thing. Seems like I might be dealing with the same high-pressure pump issue. Just curious, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? Also, has everything been running smoothly since then, or have you noticed any other issues pop up?

Happy to help out! Yeah, I just got my car back from the shop a couple weeks ago, ended up being exactly what I suspected. The mechanic found both the high-pressure pump and fuel volume regulator were acting up. Total bill came to 1510 € to replace the pump, but fixing the regulator was included in that price since they had to get in there anyway. Since getting it fixed, it's running like a dream, seriously, feels like a different car! No more of that annoying rough idle or stalling, and power delivery is spot on. Haven't had a single problem since the repair. I can actually enjoy driving it again without constantly worrying about it dying on me, haha. If your symptoms are matching what I had, I'd definitely get it checked out sooner rather than later. Trust me, it's worth getting it done properly to avoid any bigger headaches down the road.

Just wanted to give you an update, you were spot on! Finally got my car back from the shop yesterday. Turned out it was indeed the high-pressure pump causing all the trouble. The mechanic also found some minor issues with the fuel lines while they were in there, so got those sorted too. Bill came to about 1600 € total, which wasn't fun but definitely worth it. Can't believe the difference now, car's running smooth as silk, no more stalling or rough idle. Feels like I've got a new car! Really appreciate you sharing your experience, helped me push for the right diagnosis instead of wasting time on smaller fixes. Thanks again for the help!