Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

Terrible gas mileage

Old Jun 9, 2019 | 07:23 AM
  #1  
Billy Stout's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default Terrible gas mileage

I have a 97 jeep xj on a 3 inch rc lift on 31 BFG k02 and I get very poor gas mileage (11.1 mpg) I have replaced fuel injectors with Bosch 4 hole injectors replaced entire ignition system ( plugs wires coil rotor distributor cap etc ) and I am trying to figure out why to do about this I only get about 180 miles per tank. Any advice will help thanks. And also I have 3.55 gear a/t and the 4.0
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2019 | 08:04 AM
  #2  
dave1123's Avatar
Old fart with a wrench
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 14,398
Likes: 741
From: Manlius, east of Syracuse, NY
Year: 2000 XJ Sport & WJ Laredo
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Default

O2 sensors. I have a bad one in my WJ and with a new rebuilt engine, I'm only getting 11.7 myself. My scanner comes up with a P0152, Bank 2, sensor 1 shorted to voltage. Apparently we damaged it when we took the manifolds off.

Funny, I have a friend in RI by the name of Billy Stott!

Last edited by dave1123; Jun 9, 2019 at 08:08 AM.
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2019 | 10:29 AM
  #3  
Billy Stout's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by dave1123
O2 sensors. I have a bad one in my WJ and with a new rebuilt engine, I'm only getting 11.7 myself. My scanner comes up with a P0152, Bank 2, sensor 1 shorted to voltage. Apparently we damaged it when we took the manifolds off.

Funny, I have a friend in RI by the name of Billy Stott!
I forgot to mention it also has 2 brand new o2 sensors in it
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2019 | 11:13 AM
  #4  
downs's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 166
From: Hunt County Texas
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Could be a multitude of sensors out of spec. Hell could be bad grounds giving the computer bad information. Check your block and body grounds then break out the multimeter for sensor testing. Do you have an FSM somewhere? It gives test values for the various sensors that feed the computer information for fueling. TPS, Coolant Temp, O2, IAT, and MAP. I'm sure I'm missing a few in there. But with a multimeter and the FSM you can narrow it down to a sensor out of spec after making sure you have good grounds and a good voltage going to everything.
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2019 | 11:54 AM
  #5  
fb97xj1's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 338
From: PA
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Originally Posted by Billy Stout
I forgot to mention it also has 2 brand new o2 sensors in it
What brand? NTK came factory, and for some reason, other brands dont always perform as well as they could. Or should. I have come to realize this with anything dealing with how the engine runs in these things.

In addition to what downs posted, other factors are tire pressure, alignment, driving habits, engine condition, fuel pressure, etc..
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2019 | 12:05 PM
  #6  
00t444e's Avatar
CF Veteran
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 469
From: Southern OH
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Depending on the driving conditions 11 mpg isn't that bad, that's about what I got with 31s and a 3" lift.
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2019 | 03:27 PM
  #7  
Billy Stout's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

I have a multi meter I’ll do some checking on some sensors as for driving habits don’t drive too crazy top speed I get is about 65 I’ve just seen lots of people getting a lot better gas mileage then what I get and would like some gains to save some money
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2019 | 03:27 PM
  #8  
Billy Stout's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by fb97xj1
What brand? NTK came factory, and for some reason, other brands dont always perform as well as they could. Or should. I have come to realize this with anything dealing with how the engine runs in these things.

In addition to what downs posted, other factors are tire pressure, alignment, driving habits, engine condition, fuel pressure, etc..
I believe they were ntk paid 140$ from Napa for both of them
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2019 | 08:36 PM
  #9  
Decemberist's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
Default

Before you get all Crazy, jack the Jeep up and make sure none of the brakes are grabbing, I would start there first.
Reply
Old Jun 11, 2019 | 08:52 AM
  #10  
Red1992XJ's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 802
Likes: 140
From: NJ
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

3.55 gears and 31's are not a bad combo, so you probably could get a little better mileage.

Where did you get the 4 hole injectors?

Also, are you totally sure the ignition system is good, (i.e., all the connectors are properly seated, plugs gapped, etc. etc.) ?

What tire pressures are you running?
Reply
Old Jun 11, 2019 | 07:08 PM
  #11  
BlueRidgeMark's Avatar
CF Veteran
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7,965
Likes: 964
From: Lost in the wilds of Virginia
Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by Decemberist
Before you get all Crazy, jack the Jeep up and make sure none of the brakes are grabbing, I would start there first.
Heh. A lot of people might dismiss that, but it's a very real consideration. I just replaced the front calipers and rotors on my WJ, and picked up about 1.5 MPG. Not huge, but what if I pick up the same when I do the back? 2-3 MPG for doing basic maintenance? Not too shabby.
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2019 | 08:21 AM
  #12  
awg's Avatar
awg
CF Veteran
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,816
Likes: 725
Year: 96
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by Billy Stout
I have a 97 jeep xj on a 3 inch rc lift on 31 BFG k02 and I get very poor gas mileage (11.1 mpg) I have replaced fuel injectors with Bosch 4 hole injectors replaced entire ignition system ( plugs wires coil rotor distributor cap etc ) and I am trying to figure out why to do about this I only get about 180 miles per tank. Any advice will help thanks. And also I have 3.55 gear a/t and the 4.0
I have found that using it for frequent short trips could cause that

You dont mention driving habits or possible extra weight, bars etc

I average about 15mp/G (US), fill up ~220 miles, but that is when the light 1st comes on steady, so a somewhat subjective measure

travelling on the open roads, fully warmed, it will get 16mpg

mine has headers and 2.5" exhaust, 3" lift, 30" tyres, no additional weight
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2019 | 07:23 PM
  #13  
BlueRidgeMark's Avatar
CF Veteran
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7,965
Likes: 964
From: Lost in the wilds of Virginia
Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by awg
I have found that using it for frequent short trips could cause that
Yep. Big time. It's very hard on the engine and exhaust system.
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2019 | 07:52 PM
  #14  
ElMartillo's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 935
Likes: 49
From: Nationwide, USA
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Renix 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by Decemberist
Before you get all Crazy, jack the Jeep up and make sure none of the brakes are grabbing, I would start there first.
This.

or carefully touch the calipers/drums after/during a long drive. See if they are consistent, none should be particularly warm after a long drive with minimal braking.

Last edited by ElMartillo; Jun 12, 2019 at 07:56 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2019 | 07:57 PM
  #15  
unidentifiedbomb's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 6,098
Likes: 250
From: DE
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0
Default

Back when I would drive across PA with the same setup in my '88 I could get 400 miles a tank no issue. I would make sure your sensors, throttle body, kickdown cable, air filter, etc are all in check. Sometimes it's the simple things that cause issues.
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:54 PM.