Why is my 1998 Honda Civic EX giving me such POOR fuel economy?

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RobBeltran

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My 1998 Civic EX is giving me terrible fuel consumption (averaging between 19 & 21 MPG). There isn't much difference at all in MPG average when I use 87 octane or 93 octane. I've tried both fuel grades for a number of weeks at a time. It has a little over 104K miles (which is rather low mileage). I did a FULL tune-up on it (Platinum spark plugs, NGK wires, air filter- via Cold Air intake, fuel filter, distributor cap & rotor, PCV- including an oil change) and nothings improved. All drive belts are good, including the Timing belt. It also has no oil leaks or smoking. Tire pressue is checked regularly and always on point. I notice that when I'm driving and I accelerate my fuel gauge needle dips downward rapidly as I'm speeding up. It slowly starts to go back up when I begin to coast. As soon as I press harder on the gas pedal, it quickly starts moving down again. This dipping in the fuel gauge is a dramatic drop, not just a slight one. Someone told me to check my injectors or perhaps something about a fuel screen in the fuel tank? Any thoughts on what could be causing the bad fuel consumption and the swallowing/dipping effect on the fuel gauge when I'm increasing speed?
 
A possibility would be a clogged catalytic converter, or blow by on the pistons..is it using a lot of oil? Any oil coming from the tailpipe? Just a couple of ideas...also, your highway speed makes a big difference. My Hyundai gets 35 - 37 mpg if I drive at 55mph, and it doesn't get you where you are going that much later than driving faster
 
ooh, ooh, I know,...... your foot dummy. 21 mpg isn't bad for any car when the driver has a lead foot. you don't have to get to the speed limit so fast. if your so cheap that you think 21 mpg is horrible then try taking your time when your driving. I'll tell you what man, my honda gets around 24 and I couldn't be happier cuz my burban only gets 13 in the city and 18 on the highway. you better believe I baby that beast when I drive. you'll never catch me hotrodding in that chevy
 
could be clogged injectors, plugged egr valve, plugged cat converter, retarded ign. timing, or perhaps something dragging on the engine or drive train.
 
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