I just bought a '90 convertible that cranks up everytime u start it up. I had to have it towed home because the driveshaft is damaged. On cold starts the rpm goes up to 3000 and then to 1500 after a few seconds. The idle stays at a solid 750 rpm when it warms up and the idle is smiooth even when I apply the brakes, or turn on the heat or a/c. The thing is whenever I try holding the rpm at 6000 foe about 30 seconds to let off the accelerator pedal and watch for smoke, it shuts off at about 4500-5000 and gives out a heavy cloud of white smoke. However, the car will start right back ou again. I know that I have to do a major tune up but I am suspecting that the oil seals are gone n if so, how bad is this? Will I still be able to drive the car with it smoking a little every once in a while or is this as bad as the apex seal going bad or the engine losing compression?

 

HAHA yes drive the damn thing. No one around here cares if it smokes.

 

your test is a bit weird, but i'd check it for codes, probably won't have any but the 4500rpm cut might be a TPS or AFM. a code might point you in a better direction

anyways, if it IS burning oil this is the best way for the engine to go, usually these come apart with really nice housings, the extra oil is extra oil, afterall. its also been my experience that you can probably run the thing quite a long time until the smoke gets to bad to drive.

i should say that the smoking starts gradually and gets worse over time until it looks like you've been hit by the red baron, so i don't know what part of the curve you're on, but it sounds like its not that bad.

it'll eventually get to the point where you start it up, and after 30 seconds you won't be able to see the house anymore

 

sounds like the compression is good by how it starts both warm and hot. the cold start is normal if you start the car with your foot on the clutch and trans in neutral.

 

Okay, I will check to see if there are any codes stored in the ECU but now the damn thing will not start. I even tried removing the EGI fuse and turning the engine over a couple of times to unflood the engine but it still will not start.