Cylinder 8 injector circuit fault (V8s).
P0208 — also written PO2O8, P 0208, 0208 — is the OBD-II code for injector circuit — cylinder 8. Same code, same fix: this page covers every spelling of it.
Cylinder 8 is throwing a wobbly because the ECU can't see the electrical heartbeat of that injector. Usually hits high-mileage Range Rovers or older Merc V8s where the loom has gone brittle.
P0208 is a fuel & air fault code, typically costing £120–£900 to put right in a UK garage.
What P0208 actually feels like to drive
- Engine feels like it's trying to shake itself out of the mounts at idle.
- Massive loss of power, especially when trying to overtake on the A9.
- Heavy smell of unburnt petrol or diesel from the exhaust pipe.
- The 'Check Engine' or 'Restricted Performance' message on the dash.
- V8 sounds like a bag of spanners—running on 7 cylinders is unmistakable.
What causes P0208?
- Failed injector
- Wiring fault
- ECU driver failure
UK vehicles that throw P0208 most often
- Range Rover L322 3.6 TDV8 (2006-2012)
- Land Rover Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 (rare P0208 on export V8s)
- Mercedes-Benz E500 / S500 (M273 engine) 2006-2013
- BMW 550i / 750i (N63 engine) 2008-2015
- Jaguar XF / XJ 5.0 V8 Supercharged (AJ133) 2009-2017
How P0208 is fixed
- Test resistance
- Replace injector
- Repair loom
The P0208 misdiagnosis that wastes money
I’ve seen dozens of lads jump straight to swapping out the ECU because they assume the 'circuit' fault means the computer's fried. In reality, on these big V8s, it’s usually the injector harness getting cooked under the engine cover or a simple plug that wasn't clicked home properly after a service. People waste hundreds on refurbished ECUs when a simple £50 wiring repair or a Bosch injector would’ve sorted it. Don't go buying a 'virginised' ECU until you've actually verified the pulse from the loom with a proper scope or noid light.
What a UK garage should charge for P0208
Diagnostic fee is usually £60-£90 at an indie. If it’s just a Bosch injector for a BMW or Merc, you’re looking at £180-£250 for the part, plus two hours labour (£120-£200). However, if you're working on a Range Rover 3.6 TDV8, those injectors can be absolute pigs to get out—if they’re seized, you might be looking at a £900 bill by the time you've paid for specialist extraction and a new Delphi unit. Main dealers will easily double these prices.
P0208 repair cost in the UK
Most P0208 repairs land between £120–£900 including parts and labour. The spread is wide because the cheap fix (a sensor, a hose, a leak) and the expensive fix (a major component) throw the same code — which is why a proper diagnosis before parts are bought saves the most money.
Bob's tip on P0208
If you've got a P0208 on an L322 Range Rover, tell the garage to 'swap-test' the injector before they order a new one. Move the number 8 injector to cylinder 5 and see if the code follows it. If the code stays at P0208, the wiring or the ECU is the culprit. If it moves to P0205, you know for a fact the injector is dead. Also, ask them to check the pins for 'green death' (corrosion)—it’s rife in our wet climate, especially if the engine acoustics cover has been trapping moisture.
Can you drive with P0208?
Avoid heavy load.
Urgency: high.