Terrible gas mileage
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
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
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
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!
Funny, I have a friend in RI by the name of Billy Stott!
Last edited by dave1123; Jun 9, 2019 at 08:08 AM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
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!
Funny, I have a friend in RI by the name of Billy Stott!
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 166
From: Hunt County Texas
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
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.
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..
In addition to what downs posted, other factors are tire pressure, alignment, driving habits, engine condition, fuel pressure, etc..
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
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
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
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..
In addition to what downs posted, other factors are tire pressure, alignment, driving habits, engine condition, fuel pressure, etc..
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 802
Likes: 140
From: NJ
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
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?
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?
CF Veteran




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
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.
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
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
CF Veteran




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
Senior Member


Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 935
Likes: 49
From: Nationwide, USA
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Renix 4.0
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.
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 6,098
Likes: 250
From: DE
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0
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.



