Yep...ANOTHER terrible gas mileage thread
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Ok, guys i have an issue with terrible gas mileage in my XJ.
I know...i know "it's not a Honda Civic, etc" I understand that, but there's now way this mileage is right.
It's a 1999 XJ 4.0L I6. Lifted 4.5" on 32's. Almost all highway with an EXTREMELY light foot and I never leave it running for more then a minute and i'm only getting about 10mpg.
Jeep isn't throwing any codes
In the past 1k miles i've changed the following:
Spark plugs
Rotor
Cap
Plug wires
Neon injectors
Cleaned IAC / throttle body
I rented a diagnostic scanner from VatoZone to see if maybe i had a lazy O2 sensor that just wasn't throwing a code. That wasn't the problem, the O2 sensor came back just fine. However when it tested the catalytic converter, the test came back inc (incomplete
).
Anybody have suggestions? Any and all help is greatly appreciated as always.
I know...i know "it's not a Honda Civic, etc" I understand that, but there's now way this mileage is right.
It's a 1999 XJ 4.0L I6. Lifted 4.5" on 32's. Almost all highway with an EXTREMELY light foot and I never leave it running for more then a minute and i'm only getting about 10mpg.
Jeep isn't throwing any codes
In the past 1k miles i've changed the following:
Spark plugs
Rotor
Cap
Plug wires
Neon injectors
Cleaned IAC / throttle body
I rented a diagnostic scanner from VatoZone to see if maybe i had a lazy O2 sensor that just wasn't throwing a code. That wasn't the problem, the O2 sensor came back just fine. However when it tested the catalytic converter, the test came back inc (incomplete
).Anybody have suggestions? Any and all help is greatly appreciated as always.
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,074
Likes: 0
From: Bergen County, New Jersey U.S.A.
Year: 1990 Laredo
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Inline 6 Renix
I see why you have bad gas mileage.... Lifted 4.5" on 32's light foot or not... sorry
but when was the last time you changed your o2? is your exhaust stock?
I also noticed you have not changed your fuel filter... that could lead to bad mileage..
but when was the last time you changed your o2? is your exhaust stock?
I also noticed you have not changed your fuel filter... that could lead to bad mileage..
Last edited by The Rooster; Feb 21, 2011 at 04:38 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,074
Likes: 0
From: Bergen County, New Jersey U.S.A.
Year: 1990 Laredo
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Inline 6 Renix
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,074
Likes: 0
From: Bergen County, New Jersey U.S.A.
Year: 1990 Laredo
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Inline 6 Renix
I would change the fuel filter then.. my gas mileage increased after i changed mine.. and that is way cheaper then o2s and most people forget about it...
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
From: Ontario Canada
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
i was complaining about the same thing to a co worker and he said he used to get 20-25 mpg on his stock xj ....... told me to change both o2 sensors, the temp sensor and give it a tune up
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
No biggie. Yea, I don't think the O2 sensors are bad, because the diagnostic scanner I rented, tested the voltage and it said they were fine. You have to drop the tank, to change the fuel filter, right?
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Well, the downstream O2 sensor doesn't effect the mileage at all, it's strictly for emissions. I'll probably end up changing the upstream one though.
your running heavy tires on larger then stock wheels added some weight to it and stock gears.
Also with 32s your speedo is off so thats going to throw your MPG way off unless your using a GPS.
to fix it recalibrate your speedo and if you have the money get a set of 4:10s or 4:56s in the axles
Also with 32s your speedo is off so thats going to throw your MPG way off unless your using a GPS.
to fix it recalibrate your speedo and if you have the money get a set of 4:10s or 4:56s in the axles
CF Veteran




Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,840
Likes: 117
From: In the middle of Minnesota!
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Fuel filter on a 99 is part of the "fuel pump assembly" which is located inside of the fuel tank. It is not normally serviced unless symptoms / testing point to it. And your symptom of low gas mileage doesn't point to it. You can verify pressure if you want with a gauge, but if it is running okay, look elsewhere.
Verify your mileage with a GPS, or as mentioned, recalibrate your speedo.
Even if the oxygen sensor checks out, they do have a finite lifespan of between 100k and 150k, depending on engine efficiency.
Verify your mileage with a GPS, or as mentioned, recalibrate your speedo.
Even if the oxygen sensor checks out, they do have a finite lifespan of between 100k and 150k, depending on engine efficiency.
Last edited by tjwalker; Feb 21, 2011 at 04:56 PM.


