Lifter Noise '95 90 addendum

[Dan Z. Johnson]

The odd thing about this problem is that when the car (1995 90
Quattro) is difficult to start, but DOES start, then I have this
problem with  fluctuating idle, stalling, loss of power and
white smoke (which smells like fuel, not coolant smoke). If I
wait a second, and restart the car without difficulty, the
problem evaporates: idle will be stable and the car runs like
greased lightning. Odd, eh? Makes me think that it is a valve in
the emissions system, but, I know nothing about this. So, I
marked the coolant level this morning (just to be certain it's
not a head gasket), and I'm waiting for my Bentley CD manual,
but I'm not optimistic it will help me. I guess I need to get
the diag tool software, that may be of help.
It's always something!
-DanZ