My 2001 XKR with 62k miles is all of a sudden getting 6mpg. It used to get around 16mpg according to the computer. The filter is clean. I reset the milage computer a couple of times. What could be wrong?

 

First, if you are really pumping that much fuel you are burning up your catalytic converters if you haven't already. They are only about $1000 each.

Second, does the tank fill confirm the ECM calculated MPG?

Do you have a check engine light? You should if you are really burning that much fuel.

Anything else happen, repairs, damage, etc.?

More information please.

 

I noticed it after my water pump, belts and tensioners were changed but doubt it had anything to do with it. I wrote down what I put in the tank but I'm scared to drive too much without a warranty. This car breaks down standing still. (See my other post about whether I should buy a warranty below.)

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I have a '01 XKR with 62k miles. My extended warranty just expired. The total repairs paid out by the warranty company over the warranty period were over $18k! So the $2800 I paid CarMax for the initial extended warranty was well spent. Taking into account the abysmal repair history of this car there's no way I'm keeping this car without another extended warranty. Another full 3yr 36k mile exclusionary warranty with a $100 deductable costs $5600.

Also the seat motor is not working and the computer says it's getting only 6mpg, so I may need to at least fix the seat before it will pass warranty inspection. I really enjoy the car so my thinking is that $5600 (plus most likely a bunch of deductables) isn't a lot to have it for another 36,000 miles. Or is it?

 

Has it been sitting still and idling a decent amount lately? That will bring the naverage down a lot. Id suggest switching it over to display the instantanious fuel economy, and taking a quick drive to see where that comes in.

 

EFC;

We could give you much more informed advice if you tell us what was covered under the $18K of warranty work.

If that work addressed the major issues of the early XKR's, ie timing chain tensioners, Nikasil cylinder liners, Mercedes 5 speed transmission, front end bushings, etc. then you may have a keeper that has hit a temporary and typical maintenance snag.

If not then we have a different discussion.

cheers,

jj

 

A sensor not hooked up correctly, i.e. sensor not connected or not all the way will put the ECM is failsafe mode and they run very rich in that mode. Also, a major air leak or bad o2's wil cause this or a combination.

Since it seemed to happen after it was worked on, I would get a chart of sensors and the vacuum diagram and start checking, especially where the work was performed and a disconnected coolant sensor will reek havoc also.

A very rich running car can kill cats quickly, as stated above.