My ’89 TPI IROC has this problem where it stumbles and dies out when you take your foot of the throttle. It will crank and start up every time, but dies right after. You have to rev the engine to keep it running. Plus upon start up and after a prolonged idle it billows white smoke. Its been doing it for the past year
(the smoke has gotten really bad lately) and a half that I’ve had it and in that time I’ve replaced the following: MAF, fuel filter, cap, rotor, wires, plugs, battery, battery terminals, alternator, serpentine belt.

 

sounds kinda like two seperate problems between your stumbling and dieing, and the white smoke. Could be connected if a busted head gasket i supposed.... white smoke typically means there's antifreeze or water, being combust w/ the gas. Feel free to fill me in if I'm wrong here anyone.

 

I'm no engine expert by any means, but that's what I've heard (and read) as well about the classic blown head gasket. I may be wrong on this (and someone please correct me if I'm spreading misinformation), but you don't necessarily have to have white smoke to have a blown head gasket; it depends on where the gasket failed. Have you checked your radiator fluid for oil, or checked your oil for water?

- 89_IROC

 

Thanks for the information. I had totally forgotten about that. I’ll give it a shot

 

you said it's been doing this for over a year, have you been driving it like this?
what does the smoke smell like?
by chance have you pulled the vacuum hose on the fuel pressure regulator?

 

What does your oil look like? I hope it's not a creamy milkshake color.

 

DENN_SHAH,
I have been driving it the whole time, but the smoke has not been “billowing” until this last week. To the best of my knowledge the smoke smells like normal exhaust fumes with a little burning oil. I have not pulled the vacuum hose.
Both the oil and coolant look fine there is no sign of cross contamination.

 

I'm still wondering, based on this statement, if your head gasket has failed between cylinders and is not allowing cross-contamination. Then again, I'm not a mechanic by any stretch; may the hardcore wrenches in the room correct me if I'm wrong so I can learn something

- 89_IROC