P0298 fault code: Engine Oil Over Temperature

Last updated · OBDCode UK editorial

Can I drive with P0298? — Limit driving

Limit driving with P0298. Hot oil can damage the engine. Ease off, avoid hard load, and stop if temperature keeps rising, power drops, or you hear unusual engine noise.

P0298 means “Engine Oil Over Temperature” — a fuel and injector circuits fault in the powertrain. Limit driving. Engine oil temperature has gone above the control unit's threshold. Ease off and get lubrication and cooling checked — this is not an injector-circuit code.

Can I DIY?

Caution — conditions apply. We do not publish DIY repair or strip-down steps for this code on this page. Read codes and observe only; leave the repair to a qualified garage.

Caution — conditions applyDIY boundary
ToolsNo special tools are required for the guidance on this page.

Some checks may be possible for a careful DIY driver with the right tools and a safe place to work. Stop if anything feels beyond your skill or kit.

Hot systems

Never open a hot coolant cap — pressure can scald you. Exhaust and catalytic converter get hot enough to burn and ignite debris. Stay clear of electric fans; they can run after shut-off.

P02xxFuel and injector circuits
MOT fail riskif the warning light stays on

What does P0298 mean?

P0298 is a generic (SAE standard) powertrain code reported by your car’s engine control unit. It sits in the P02xx block, which covers fuel and injector circuits. The stored description is “Engine Oil Over Temperature”. The code itself tells you which circuit or system tripped the fault — not always the exact part that failed.

Will P0298 fail an MOT?

An illuminated engine management light is a Major defect at MOT (automatic fail) until the fault is repaired and the light stays off.

Before booking your test, check what usually fails on your car: see our MOT pass rates by make and model, built from 33.1 million DVSA tests.

What the MOT data says

No MOT certificate item corresponds to this code; MOT outcome data cannot be shown.

Related guides

Car diagnostic test cost: compare the scopeUK booking marketplaces currently publish diagnostic averages of about £52–£65. Engine management light on: steady or flashing?A steady engine management light means the computer has stored a fault. Drive with caution and get the code read. A flashing light is different — stop when it is safe. Car overheating but coolant looks full: stop and recoverNo — do not continue driving while the engine is overheating, even if the expansion bottle looks full. Move only far enough to reach a place of relative safety, switch off, and… Coolant keeps disappearing with no visible leakA falling cold level still means coolant is escaping; never open a hot pressurised system.
P0200Injector Circuit/Open P0201Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 1 P0202Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 2 P0203Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 3 P0204Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 4 P0205Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 5 P0206Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 6 P0207Injector Circuit/Open - Cylinder 7

P0298 — quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0298?

Limit driving. Limit driving with P0298. Hot oil can damage the engine. Ease off, avoid hard load, and stop if temperature keeps rising, power drops, or you hear unusual engine noise.

Can I fix P0298 myself?

Caution — conditions apply. We do not publish DIY repair or strip-down steps for this code on this page. Read codes and observe only; leave the repair to a qualified garage. No special tools are required for the guidance on this page.

Will P0298 fail my MOT?

An illuminated engine management light is a Major defect at MOT (automatic fail) until the fault is repaired and the light stays off.

Fault-code identifiers are standard diagnostic facts. Their explanations and diagnostic guidance on this site are original editorial summaries, not reproduced SAE wording. MOT defect rules reflect the DVSA MOT inspection manual (2026). This page is general guidance for UK drivers, not a substitute for a professional diagnosis.