 Jim Grant's Tech Tips‘95 Honda Accord Ex, Gas Hog Q: My ‘95 Honda Accord Ex 4 cylinder automatic burns an enormous amount off gas. I get about 180 miles out of a full tank of gas-is this normal? I changed the EGR valve, fuel filter, oxygen filter and don't know what else to do. - George A: My GMC Suburban gets better mileage than that when plowing snow! You’ve gota real problem there and if you keep operating your Honda under these conditionsyou’ll likely be buying a converter to go along with the real fix/repair! Hasthe ignition timing been checked? Have you had a timing belt replaced recently?Incorrect ignition timing and/or valve timing will cause a loss of gas mileage.Many times it’s just the basics that cause such problems. You didn’t state ifthe check engine light was on or not. If the light is on then you need a codecheck performed on the computer. There is a diagnostic connector behind the glovebox that has to have a jumper installed to get the computer to flash codes. However,if the check engine light isn’t on and a code check provides no answers thenI would suggest checking the battery terminals closely and be sure the is nocorrosion on the terminals or wires from the terminals. Honda computers needa clean path for electricity to flow. If they’re clean then check the computer’smain ground to the engine. This is ground #G101 which is from the engine computerto the engine. G101 is located on the driver’s side of the engine and is boltedon the rear of the intake manifold. There is also a ground wire from the valvecover to the body of the vehicle on the driver’s side engine mount. The negativebattery terminal has 2 ground wires. One that is bolted to the transmission anda smaller one that goes to the inside of the passenger side fender. If thereis a ground problem with a circuit for the computer, it can result in bizarrebehavior that will not leave a code and have a computer thinking it is or wantingto be somewhere else. You could call it A.D.D. of your cars computer. Stop replacingparts and have your gas hog of a Honda diagnosed before more problems or damageoccurs.
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