Head back on now a rought idle?

[danalyse]

Bought this car with problems. First problem turned out to be a simple one but took some learning to figure it out. Dirty connection to the multi pin connector that supplies the ground to the injectors. Car then was blowing generally white smoke. Replaced fan clutch, water pump, and timing belt. Was not careful when pulling the timing belt and got things out of sync so I pulled the head. Exhaust guides were shot and had the head milled. Put it all back together and still had the smoke...the head gasket appeared fine. Had good compression and ran well but still smoke. Took head off a second time as the shop did not do a pressure check and I thought it might have a crack. No crack and more milling as I scratched the surface a bit upon removal. Got it all back toegether now and it started right up but after about fifteen seconds the idles gets a bit rough...any ideas. Also, Compression was originally, before I pulled the head, about 170 across. The first reinstallation with an oversized head gasket brought the compression down to 160. Now with the second reinstall of the head with and oversized gasket we are down to 150...any ideas. I have not let in run long enough to see if I still have the smoke problem which occurs after about ten minutes of run time. Some have suggested that perhaps there is was some oil build up in the exhaust because of the bad guides and it only begins to smoke when the exhaust system gets hot enough...more ideas welcome. Before we get back to the smoke issue would like comments about the idle. Engine sounds great mechnically.

[M-technik-3]

have you checked the valve lash adjustment? might be tight causing it to run rough, or check the injector plug as it could have some oxide in it cause poor connections. Mine had the same issue.

[danalyse]

Set all the lashes at ten thousandths before I put the head on...was this a mistake. Will check that connector again but I thought I cleaned it well last time. Thanks for the input.

[jlevie]

A rough idle could be caused by:

Intake leaks
Bad plugs, wires, distributor cap or rotor
Dirty injectors

With the recent work, intake leaks are my first suspect.

[danalyse]

Stupid me. I set the lash before I put the head on. I checked the lash and what do you know all were very tight. Reset them and things seem better. I used the orange RTV silicone on the new intake gaskets, my injectors are rebuilt, and probably could use a set of wires and a cap...we will see. Now for the test as to whether it continues to blow the whitish smoke after warm up which I fully expect it to do. If it does I am going to take it in for a diagnosis. Thanks for your repeated advice.

[M-technik-3]

That is what I thought you did. You were probably running on the hot side. At the same respect do a vacuum check and see if the idle comes up and then goes down. How are you exhaust manifolds? are they loose? That will affect driveability.

Whiteish or steam? White with smell of coolant is not good as you know but just steam no biggie. Age of o2 sensor? It cold be lazy and crappy from before you did the head work.

[danalyse]

It's a miracle

The smoke is gone after the second head gasket job. Why now is a good question as I thought I did a good job the first go round. What the source of the smoke was and is still unknown. Further miracles have happened here such as the radio accepting the code and the cruise is actually working. Yomorrow we align the hood, get the license plate lights to work, check all the fluids, etc. Tuesday we take it in to have the suspension looked at as it sound rather loose but that may be inhherent with this M-Tech cabrio. Most importantly I am going to have the bottom side, and engine compartment power washed. I hate a dirty, slimy engine compartment and my finger nails will reveal why.