2G Very new, no idea what is wrong

[C1nical]

Alright, so I JUST bought this car (96 GS-T) on the 14th, and 2 days ago I had this little guy here blow:

http://i26.tinypic.com/2vdsok3.jpg

I replaced it, didn't think that much coolant was lost, but I completely forgot to check. So yesterday comes around, I drive the car down the road to target, then come back, and for some reason I got a weird feeling something was up so I pulled over and noticed white smoke coming from under the hood, also appeared that the car was leaking again, I haven't been able to tell if its leaking from that same piece or somewhere else. Also wasnt paying attention to the engine temp, so now I am worried about the HG.

I put more antifreeze in it last night, checked this morning, didnt look like it was leaking at all, drove it around my subdivision and it seemed to be alright until I took my foot off the accelerator and it seemed to be sputtering, also noticed that when it is idling it appears to be ever so slightly jumpy. Can anyone help me out as to what this could be? As I know almost nothing about these cars at this point so I am at a complete loss.

I also noticed this:

http://i29.tinypic.com/123mcmf.jpg

The engine was just put into the car right before I bought it.. the car has 95k on it, the engine was crated over from japan with ~ 50k on it, so I'm not sure if that was there prior to me buying it or not.. I just thought it was odd that it was just sorta in there like that...

I guess my main question right now is what would be making the car sputter like that?

Thanks for any help

 

[snowborder714]

Does the car have any modifications? If so, please fill in your profile so we can help you better. Or post some pictures and we'll help you identify some of them if you're not sure.

Here's a link that will help you out when looking in your engine bay:
Virtual Tour of the DSM Engine Bay - Quadrant map

You should perform all maintenance (check/replace vacuum lines, check/replace all fluids, build a boost leak tester do a boost leak test, etc.) first off. This way you're sure the car is in good running order. When you drive in in the next few days, just watch for any puddles under the car to see if anything is still leaking and watch for smoke. The smoke may have just been something leaking and burning off.

As far as the oil in the valve cover, just the valve cover for cracks. Most likely, it's your oil cap leaking though. So pull that off and look for the gasket that is in there (a black ring inside the cap) and make sure it's not cracked or broken.

BTW, welcome!

 

[C1nical]

cat-back which was put on before I bought it, that is the only modification to it.

I will be sure to check the cap, and for cracks thx for the reply.

 

[gordy3683]

sputter or misfire? at idle or just after you take your fut off the accelerator?

 

[teamdsm95]

the oil on the valve cover could be from the valve cover circle gaskets around the plugs also.

 

[kenamond]

the oil on the valve cover could be from the valve cover circle gaskets around the plugs also.

If the plug seals are leaking, the oil will fill up the plug wells, but I see no sign of that, so I agree that it's most likely the oil cap. I believe you can buy just the oil cap gasket, but they also sell the whole cap with gasket. To find out, clean up the VC fairly well, drive it a day or an hour, and trace back the oil to its source.

Since you just got the car, I'd change the plugs and maybe the wires. You want NGK BPR6ES plugs ($2/ea at NAPA) gapped to 0.028" unless you're running over around 17psi boost, then you want BPR7ES plugs, same gap. Wires aren't too expensive. I have a cheap Bosch set on my car from Autozone with no problems, but you can certainly spend more if you have the cash. Check out the plug tips when you change them and see if they look good. Then do as snowboarder714 said and do a boost leak test. You should do these tests every oil change or two; boost leaks can cause a lot of problems, and the test is easy to do once you know how...so learn how

Welcome aboard!