Rough Idle/Reponse/Tach not working at startup/White smoke after a minute

[gatorgrizz27]

Hey guys, I just purchased a '97 DI, with 153k on it, and am having some trouble with it. The engine started overheating (I never drove it in the red range) after I bought it because of the owner botching up the heater hoses, I got that sorted out but now it is having a few other issues.

I degreased the motor, I just put purple power on it and rinsed it off with a hose, no pressure washer, and then started it up and it was running very rough at idle at first. No big deal, just figured I got something wet and it would dry.

Now its been over 24 hours and its still doing this. Also, when you start it up now, the tach doesn't read for maybe 30 seconds or so, then it works fine. If you turn it off and restart it will do the same thing. It still has a very rough idle and throttle response now, but it won't cut out. Also, when you start it up, there is no smoke but then after a minute or so it has started putting out a bit of white smoke from the tailpipe.

I am assuming the white smoke means I now need head gaskets, and may also explain some of the rough idle, but I am clueless about the tach? It may be a combination of problems, the Check engine light has also been on the entire time I have had it, I am waiting on my code reader to come in.

I am a bit annoyed by having problems already, but I got a good deal on the car and will be doing all of the labor myself, and I already found Atlantic British. So any ideas? Thanks guys.

[greg409]

Did it run well b/4 washing?

You might need plug wires, have a wet coilpak,
gotten water in the intake, etc.

the tach runs off the alternator, is it wet? I'd let it dry out. I powerwashed mine and had to be towed home, the next day it was fine

luck,greg

[DiscoDream2]

Let it dry out, then never do that again.

White smoke = Head gaskets