My unsolvable mystery! - Gas smell/ low mpg

[mmuah]

My car is horrible on gas - about 20mpg (really bad for a civic coupe)

Besides that I've been smelling a really strong gas smell everytime I start up - it'll last for about 5- 10 mins... what is this?

I have already changed:
air filter
spark plugs/wires
distributor (it was leaking oil)
o2 sensor


In case it helps:
I also get this horrible pinging noise.. and I don't use cheap gas..


My check engine light used to go on, hasn't since I changed my o2 sensor, however, before i did - i ran a diagnostic and got: fuel too lean/ rich
Pls help... I have to inspect it next month.. and I know it won't pass in its current condition

kristy
95 civic ex coupe 1.6 ltr vtec

Also,

I'd also like to make sure my distributor timing is on point.. anyone have any pics / tips..

would I be able to do the work myself?

[Greenblurr93]

make sure the spark plugs are gapped correctly, (what brand are they? anything other than denso or NGK is junk in a honda) change your fuel filter. also make sure the evap system is working

[EZFrank]

check timing or timing belt

[mid_night_blueS13]

to me sounds like your timing is out

[Christ]

Fact: If you're smelling gas from under the hood, or anywhere other than the intake/exhaust directly, you're probably leaking it.

Fact: If you're dumping THAT much raw fuel, some of it is going into your oil... meaning that your bearings are probably getting wiped, which might account for the "horrible pinging noise"

Fact: Higher octane fuel (when you don't actually NEED it...) does NOT promote better fuel mileage or more power.. it's actually a waste of money, as are most fuel additives that claim Octane increases... when it says 5 points increase, it MEANS .5... so if you're purchasing 87 normally, and you add octane booster, you're only up to 87.5.. which WON'T stop spark knocking or compression knock.

Myth: Well, there really isn't one here, but I had to include it anyway, since it's a Fact/Myth post.