BMW i3 Stalling & Fuel Smell: Warning Signs You Can't Ignore

Hey there! I had very similar symptoms with my 2017 BMW i8 Hybrid last summer. The fuel smell and engine stalls turned out to be exactly what you're suspecting, a defective activated charcoal filter in the fuel tank ventilation system. Had it diagnosed at my regular garage after the check engine light came on. My mechanic found that the charcoal filter was completely saturated and wasn't properly filtering the fuel vapors anymore. This was causing the fuel smell in the cabin and the stalling issues. They had to replace the entire evaporative emissions control unit. It wasn't a major mechanical issue that would damage the engine, but it needed fixing to meet emissions standards and prevent fuel vapors from entering the cabin. The repair took about 3 hours to complete. What's important is getting it checked soon, driving with a failed charcoal filter isn't great for your fuel economy, and those fuel vapors aren't something you want to be breathing in regularly. Best of luck with the repair.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful since I have been worried about mine. My symptoms do sound exactly like what you encountered. I was quoted different prices at two shops, which made me nervous about getting ripped off. Would you mind sharing how much you ended up paying for the repair? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the fix, or have you noticed any other issues popping up? Thanks!

Hey again! Just wanted to update you, since I wrote my first reply, I actually got mine fixed and can confirm it was definitely that faulty charcoal filter in the ventilation system. Ended up paying 275 € for the whole repair job, which included parts and labor. Trust me, it was worth every penny! My i8 has been running like a dream since the fix, no more fuel smells, no stalling, and the check engine light hasn't come back on. It's been completely problem-free. The fuel economy has actually improved a bit too, which is a nice bonus. I totally get being worried about getting ripped off, that's why I was so specific about the price. If you're being quoted something way higher than what I paid, might be worth shopping around a bit more. Just make sure wherever you go knows their way around hybrids. Let me know how it goes when you get it sorted!

Thanks so much! I actually just got back from the mechanic today, and you were spot on about everything. I ended up finding a certified hybrid specialist who diagnosed the same issue. The final bill came to about 300 €, pretty close to what you paid. I've got to say, what a difference! The fuel smell is completely gone, no more stalling, and the engine's running super smooth now. The mechanic also showed me the old charcoal filter, it was completely shot. Really glad I didn't wait any longer to get it fixed. Funny enough, the whole repair took less time than I expected. Dropped it off in the morning and had it back by lunch. The mechanic was really transparent about the whole process, showing me the old and new parts, which was refreshing after my previous bad experiences. Really appreciate you sharing your experience, it gave me the confidence to get this sorted without worrying about being overcharged. Thanks again for the help!