Fuel evaporating from fuel tank

Have a repair shop go for a ride with you, as you
explain the issues

Then have them diagnose & resolve

Stay away from the Genies in a bottle, they only take
your money

If you don't understand the product & don't test a thing,
don't think a can of anything - will do anything

Sounds like you have a serious vacuum leak. Don't bother checking the fuel pump in tank, it's working, otherwise it wouldn't start and idle. Vacuum loss will cause it to die because when you open the throttle even a little, it gets too much air and not enough fuel at the same time. Check that all vacuum lines are connected and not off or badly cracked.

Since you've cleverly already done the normal tune-up items that preserve the 96 Accord's good fuel economy, its time to move onto the tougher adventures.

Cars with outrageously bad fuel consumption are losing fuel somehow (aka leaking).
(a) There's a fuel tank drain plug on the bottom of the fuel tank (used to drain tank for service) - make sure its tight and that the tank isn't leaking fuel there.
(b) check your fuel lines - there are 2 (one supplies fuel to the engine, and the other returns excess to the tank). If either is leaking, your car will lose petrol quickly.
(c) the evaporative fuel canister - instead of absorbing vapours, it may be full of fuel and leaking..
(d) check your fuel rail - its pressurized with fuel while the car is running - it may be leaking - and if it is: (1) the top of your engine will soon catch fire (2) the fuel may be evaporating as soon as it leaks, since the top of the engine gets so hot.

Use a fuel pressure gauge to test the fuel pressure in your 96 Accord's fuel rail - attach your
(with an appropriate (brass) adapter) to where the banjo bolt enters the top of the fuel filter - as
described in this passage from the Honda repair manual:

From the 1996 Honda Accord repair manual:
Note that this part of the Honda manual fails to mention that before you disconnect the negative terminal of the battery, you must note (and write down) the 3-digit radio lock code
--- begin excerpt ---
The Fuel System Pressure Specification


38-46 PSI (Pounds per Square Inch)Remove the ground cable from the negative battery post and also remove the fuel tank filler cap. Slowly release system pressure at the fuel filter and cleanup spilled fuel. Remove the Banjo bolt and install a fuel pressure test gauge. Reconnect the battery ground cable and proceed to start the engine and allow the system pressure to stabilize. While the engine is at idle, block off/pinch the number (1) vacuum line to the fuel pressure regulator and visually verify the fuel pressure reading on the test gauge.
--- end excerpt from 1996 Honda Accord repair guide ---

(e) possible leaking fuel pressure regulator - located at back of top side of engine, and looks like an
enlarged fuel filter - with hose clamps on either end clamping the fuel line. Retighten its bolts to 12 Nm (9 ft-lbs) when done checking it (for leakage).

(f) to move on from fuel - if you're getting only partial ignition, your fuel economy will suffer too - but you'll smell alot of unburned fuel in your exhaust (and get alot of backfiring). Use your HEI (high energy ignition) tester to rule out ignition (spark) problems.

only the mechanic can answer that, he's the one looking at the car. If he diagnosed a bad valve, get it fixed., then see if it made a difference.

temp sensors, lambda/oxygen sensor/ reading wrong temp - they would both increasse fuel consumption - have the diagnostics checked at garage.
Air filter, it it clogged or really dirty?
Tyre pressures - make sure they are upto reccomended pressure, (extra pressure reduces rolling resistance and increases fuel economy but at the cost of grip...)
Binding brakes?
Fuel Leak?

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Hi there,

Oldsmobile code P0440 refers to: Evaporative Emission System

This means there is a problem with the Evap System, and you will need to inspect the related components:

- Purge Solenoid:

Related Symptoms

• Stalls after start with a hot engine
• Poor Fuel economy
• Emission related faults

- Evap Canistor: Check evap canistor for loose carbon.

- Evap Canistor Vent Valve:

Related Symptoms

• Poor fuel economy
• Stalls after start
• Emissions related failure DTC codes

Hope this helps...

Cheers,

That is an emmission device contolled by computer.System is comprised of a charcoal canister designed to trap fuel vapors. This canister is then purged during engine operation. One very possible item with can cause evaporative canister codes is a loose or missing fuel cap which needs to seal the fuel tank properly for proper vent and purge operation.The check valve in the cap can as well cause trouble codes.Make sure your fuel cap is the vented style if its ever been replaced.If this doesnt sound like the issues you are having,please further elaborate on the trouble code or discrcription you are giving as I'm unaware of other evaporation codes pertaining to this carline but willing to investigate for you.

Have u checked to make sure that the fuel filter isn't plugged, and it could be possible that the fuel pump is bad -being cracked or haveing a bad seal in it allowing fuel to leak back in the gas tank, as soon as your fuel pump warms up the leak would expand dropping your power