My XJ always finds ways to puzzle me.

I just got a new head put on my 2000 XJ because the last one had the 0331 which cracked. Got my rig back and it's been running good ever since except I had a big drop in gas milage. I was told to check out my O2 sensors and see if that was the problem. I got to poking around to make sure they were hooked up and noticed both my accelerator and speed control cables were "very loose". So loose that I could pull them off the throttle body by brushing my finger on it.

So two questions:
Would that cause me to have a drop in gas milage if those cables had to much play in them?

Any specifics I should take into account when I tighten them up? I recall they're typically "snug".

Thanks!

I dont think the throttle cable would effect gas milage but if the cable from the throttle linkage to the trans was loose it would not shift at the right time and that could certainley cause poor fuel mialage but you would probabley notice a difference in how it drives. I also dont know how to adjust that cable but im sure theres a thread on here somewere on how to do it.

Wow, I was just under my hood of my 2000 Xj as well and noticed that my center cable was loose too.

I also have a big drop in MPG.

I am quite un-intelligent when it comes to cars and how they operate, but the center cable doesn't even move when I open or close the throttle, it just sits there. Is that normal?

Mine is loose also, about 1 inch off. I have to floor it before she will start to move. I have a 98 Classic and Im needing it adjusted but cant find out how.