Cooling

P0218 Gearbox oil: temperature too high

By: Diagno editorial team · Updated: 2026-10-15

P0218 means: Gearbox oil: temperature too high. The engine has overheated or is overheating. Don't drive until the car has been checked. The engine could be damaged. The most common repair costs about €45–90 in Estonia, depending on make and model. The most common cause: low coolant (leak).

Is it safe to drive?Don't driveDon't drive until the car has been checked. The engine could be damaged.

Coolant top-up and leak check€45–90parts and labour in Estonia, depending on make and model

What it means

The engine has overheated or is overheating. Driving on can blow the head gasket and seriously damage the engine.

What you may notice

Temperature gauge in the red
Steam from under the bonnet
Heater blowing cold air
The engine may go into limp mode

What could be wrong

1Low coolant (leak) · Coolant top-up and leak check €45–90
2Fan not working · Cooling fan replacement €180–360
3Thermostat stuck shut · Thermostat replacement €100–200
4Failed water pump · Water pump replacement €200–400
5Blown head gasket · Leak check and hose or gasket replacement €60–120

Repair difficulty: Moderate

What you can check yourself

Stop safely and switch the engine off. Don't open the expansion tank cap on a hot engine. Best left to a workshop. It needs a diagnostic tool and experience.

How we fix it

We look for leaks and check the fan
We check the thermostat and water pump
We test the coolant for exhaust gas (head gasket check)
We fix the fault we find

Standard SAE description: Transmission Over Temperature Condition

This code usually comes with: Coolant temperature lightSee what the light means →

Related symptoms: Loss of power or limp mode · Engine overheating

Want a definite answer?

Bring the car to our workshop in Estonia for diagnostics. We read the fault codes, test the sensors and tell you what is wrong. Repair price depends on the work involved, generally €45 per hour.

Book a diagnostic check

Questions

What does fault code P0218 mean?

Gearbox oil: temperature too high. The engine has overheated or is overheating. Driving on can blow the head gasket and seriously damage the engine.

Can I drive with code P0218?

Don't drive until the car has been checked. The engine could be damaged.

How much does it cost to fix P0218?

It depends on the cause: coolant top-up and leak check €45–90; cooling fan replacement €180–360; thermostat replacement €100–200. Prices include labour at €45/h, depending on make and model.

How is P0218 fixed?

We look for leaks and check the fan. We check the thermostat and water pump. We test the coolant for exhaust gas (head gasket check). We fix the fault we find.

Based on AI combined with our hands-on workshop experience and knowledge. This information is general and prices are approximate (Estonian workshop rates). The same code can mean different things on different cars. Only an inspection of the car gives a definite answer.