Cylinder 1 not contributing equally.
P0263 — also written PO263, P 0263, 0263 — is the OBD-II code for cylinder 1 contribution/balance. Same code, same fix: this page covers every spelling of it.
This code means the ECU has spotted that Cylinder 1 isn't pulling its weight, usually because the injector is tired or there's a puff of compression escaping. It's the classic headache on the Ford/PSA 1.6 diesel engines.
P0263 is a engine fault code, typically costing £100–£1500 to put right in a UK garage.
What P0263 actually feels like to drive
- Rough idling that feels like the engine is trying to jump out of the bonnet.
- A distinct 'chuff-chuff' sound from the top of the engine (common on PSA engines).
- The car 'kangaroos' or stutters when you're light on the throttle at 30mph.
- Massive puff of grey smoke when you first boot it onto a dual carriageway.
- The car goes into 'Limp Home' mode the second you try to overtake a tractor.
What causes P0263?
- Weak injector
- Compression loss
- Spark issue
UK vehicles that throw P0263 most often
- Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi (DV6) 2011-2015
- Vauxhall Vivaro 1.6 CDTi (R9M) 2014-2018
- Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI (EA189) 2009-2015
- Peugeot 308 1.6 BlueHDi 2014-2019
- Ford Transit Custom 2.2 TDCi 2012-2016
- Nissan Qashqai 1.5 dCi (K9K) 2007-2013
How P0263 is fixed
- Compression test
- Injector test
- Spark inspection
The P0263 misdiagnosis that wastes money
I see it every week: a customer arrives with a brand-new injector they bought off eBay, fitted it themselves, and the code is still there. They assume 'Cylinder 1' equals 'Injector 1', but they've ignored the wiring loom or a mechanical failure. In my shop, nine times out of ten on those 1.6 TDCi engines, the real culprit is a leaking copper injector seal that’s turned into a 'chuffing' mess of carbon, or worse, the ECU needs a software update because the injector correction factors have drifted out of range.
What a UK garage should charge for P0263
A proper diagnostic plug-in and leak-off test will run you £70 to £100 at an indie. If it’s just a copper washer leak, you’re looking at £150. However, a new genuine Bosch injector fitted and coded to the ECU usually lands between £350 and £450. If you go to a main dealer, expect that to jump to £600+. If the worst happens and it's a burnt valve or low compression, you're looking at a head-off job starting at £1,200.
P0263 repair cost in the UK
Most P0263 repairs land between £100–£1500 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 P0263
Before you let a garage talk you into a £400 injector, ask them for the 'leak-off test' results and the 'relative compression' printout. A good indie will check these first. If it's a diesel, insist they check the injector wiring harness for chafing—common on the Transits. Also, if you do need an injector, don't buy 'refurbished' ones from random sites; stick to Bosch or Delphi exchange units from a reputable factor like Euro Car Parts or GSF. It might cost £50 more, but it'll actually work for more than a week.
Can you drive with P0263?
Risk of misfire damage.
Urgency: high.