Honda Repair: 89 Honda Accord muffler and m.p.g., stock muffler, loud son

Question
Craig,
I purchased an '89 Honda Accord, 2L carburated LX 4dr with 184K miles as a first car for my youngest son.  After driving it a couple weeks in various conditions/speeds, it seems to only get about 22 mpg.  My mechanic told me the prior owner had put on a smaller than usual (not stock) muffler and that would choke up the mpg.  It has a current tune up/air filt., new timing belt and distributor and runs very good and no oil leaks. He suggested it would surpass 30 mpg with the stock muffler size.  Is this truly the case, or is there another possible issue going on ?

It does seem to idle a bit high and not kick down as soon as it seems it should - and it doesn't seem to easily kick off the high idle either... (having fuel injected cars for so long, I've forgotten the carburated car characteristics)

Thanks
Scott


Answer
I doubt the muffler has anything to do with it.  Never heard of that.  I would guess with this many miles on a carburated car, it is probably a carb problem.  I am not that familiar with the carbs.  We don't work on them at all.  We just replace them.  You could always remove it and run it loud :)  Son would probably love that and see what happens to the fuel economy before you spend money on a muffler.