What Does P0308 Mean?
The ECM has detected a misfire condition specifically in cylinder 8. This code applies to V8, V10, and V12 engines. The crankshaft position sensor detects a deceleration in crankshaft rotational velocity during the cylinder 8 power stroke. The driver may notice rough idle, vibration, reduced power, and a blinking or steady check engine light. On many V8 engines, cylinder 8 is the rearmost cylinder on bank 2.
Safety Warning
A misfiring cylinder sends unburned fuel to the catalytic converter, causing overheating and potential failure. If the check engine light is flashing, minimize driving and avoid high load. Steady light with mild symptoms is less urgent but should be addressed within a week.
Common Causes
30%
Worn or fouled spark plug on cylinder 8 unable to produce adequate spark
25%
Failing ignition coil on cylinder 8, often heat-degraded due to rear-cylinder position
20%
Fuel injector on cylinder 8 restricted or malfunctioning
15%
Compression loss on cylinder 8 from worn rings, leaking valve, or head gasket breach
10%
Spark plug well flooded with oil from leaking valve cover gasket
Diagnostic Steps
1
Swap the ignition coil from cylinder 8 with an adjacent cylinder on the same bank — if the misfire follows the coil, replace it; if it stays on cylinder 8, the coil is not the cause.
2
Remove and inspect the cylinder 8 spark plug — check gap (typically 0.028-0.035"), electrode condition, and fouling pattern; check the plug well for oil or coolant intrusion.
3
Check cylinder 8 fuel injector with a stethoscope or Noid light — verify it clicks rhythmically at idle; measure resistance (typically 11-18 ohms).
4
Perform a compression test on cylinder 8 — minimum is typically 100 PSI and should be within 10% of the highest cylinder; low compression requires a leak-down test.
5
On V8 engines, inspect the valve cover gasket and spark plug tube seals at cylinder 8 — oil pooling in the plug well shorts out the coil boot and causes intermittent misfires.
Estimated Repair Cost
$50 - $900
Parts + labor, varies by vehicle and location
The ECM has detected a misfire condition specifically in cylinder 8. This code applies to V8, V10, and V12 engines. The crankshaft position sensor detects a deceleration in crankshaft rotational velocity during the cylinder 8 power stroke. The driver may notice rough idle, vibration, reduced power, ...
The most common cause of P0308 (Cylinder 8 Misfire Detected) is: Worn or fouled spark plug on cylinder 8 unable to produce adequate spark
Typical repair costs for P0308 range from $50 to $900, depending on the vehicle, location, and whether you do it yourself or go to a shop.
A misfiring cylinder sends unburned fuel to the catalytic converter, causing overheating and potential failure. If the check engine light is flashing, minimize driving and avoid high load. Steady light with mild symptoms is less urgent but should be addressed within a week.
Start by connecting an OBD2 scanner to read the code and any freeze frame data. Then follow the diagnostic steps specific to P0308 to identify the root cause.
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Quick Info
Category
Powertrain
System
Ignition System
Difficulty
Type
Generic (SAE)
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