So I just bought an 86 n/a and i have some questions.

First off, I am having white smoke after the engine has warmed up. Now i have searched and believe its a head gasket. however, i recently purchased some fluid from autozone that is suppose so fix leaks or whatever. My question is, since the coolant is bubbling and i have smoke, is it too late to try that quick fix fluid?

Secondly I have a rough idle. Especially when the engine is warm. However if i drive it (which ive been keeping it to a minimum because of head gasket) it runs fine. Ive searched and narrowed it down to the throttle positioning sensor. Being new to the Z, where is it? also could adjusting my timing by rotating the distributor be a more reasonable first action?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

Do NOT use that stop leak crap. If you did, you're still going to have to replace the head gaskets, but now you're also going to have to replace your radiator, all hoses, heater core, and anything else that coolant runs through. Oh. And you may be in for a new motor rather than just the gaskets.

 

Thanks. Any preventative things I can do or is it inevitable?

 

Nope. Pretty much screwed at this point.

Rough idle is usually because of an intake leak. But with a blown head gasket, that'd be the most likely culprit. Do a compression test to confirm.