Re: Engine rough when cold starting identified

["Lino M. Valadas" <valadasl@osha.igs.net>]

A couple of listers were experiencing symptoms similar to mine (86 5k tq),
that is engine would run rough when started usually after left alone for a
while, only to smooth out after 30 seconds to a minute.
For a year I have been living with this annoying and frustrating problem.  I
had replaced plugs several times (different types), replaced the ignition
wires, distributor cap/rotor, fuel injectors, checked for vacuum leaks, and
lastly checked the fuel pressure, all to no avail.
BTW I also "thought" I had a heater core leak since I kept loosing coolant
and would smell anti-freeze in the car every time I started the car after
warm.  So I replaced the heater core.  No change, must have been a bad core
I thought.  Replaced it again, and again no change and no stamina to change
another, so I lived with it.  Surely all these cores couldn't be bad.
Monday night I pulled the plugs one more time and decided to looked inside
the cylinders.  #1 was full of antifreeze.  Then it all made sense, #1 would
not fire until the coolant made its way out of the cylinder.
As temporary relief I unscrewed the coolant reservoir cap so as not to
retain pressure and taped it loose.  With no pressure in the system there is
no leak and the engine starts like it should every time.  What a great
feeling.  Also no antifreeze smell in the car (nothing wrong with the
cores).
This is NOT a fix but a way to confirm the cause of the problem.  Obviously
I need a head gasket.
Being winter here in Canada and somewhat cool I can get away with having no
pressure in the coolant system.
If you are experiencing this condition, and if your ambient temperature
permits it, try running without coolant pressure.  If  the problem
disappears, you need a head gasket.

HTH
Lino
86 5ktqw
83 Ur-Q