There are some peculiar things going on with my 96 Accord's fuel system.

First of all, the car begins to sputter and stall like it's out of gas when the gauge still reads half full. As soon as I put more gas in the tank the problem goes away.

I thought at first that it was a problem with the gauge reading incorrectly, but when it starts to spit and sputter and stall and I go to gas up I can only get the equivalent of half a tank's worth of gas into it before it's full. So it seems like the gauge is reading correctly.

Any ideas of what might be going on here?

 

Is there any impact damage to the bottom of the tank?
Parking lot curbs can do a number on engine oil pans and fuel tanks. I've seen tanks crushed upward effectively reducing the capacity. I've also seen tanks take a hit, bend up the fuel pump assembly and then spring back to a near normal position.
One of two tings is happening here. Both will require dropping the tank.
There are three components attached to the tank.
1) Fuel Pump w/pickup
2) Vent Assembly
3) Fuel level Sender Unit.

Most likely the pump has either lost the lower pickup assembly or has been bent to the point that it only draws from the top 1/2 of the tank.

P

 

yeah... I figured I'd have to take the tank off. Too bad I don't have the facilities to do it myself. I've already sunk quite enough money into this thing.