I just acquired a 98 rs for my gf. The car was sitting since October because of expired inspection. She drove it an hour home, and upon starting it up the next day it started to blow plumes of oil smoke out the tailpipe within a few minutes. Needless to say, this car was neglected mechanically the last few years. Besides needing struts and brakes, the engine looks like it was dipped in molasses due to a leaking valve cover gasket that's probably been leaking for years (ironically, there's no oil dripping on the ground). The only thing new on this car is the exhaust from the downpipe back. The car runs great, BTW. Before I do a compression and leakdown test for the valve stem seals and rings, is it possible this sludge on the engine is somehow seeping into the manifold causing smoke? There's no smoke from under the hood. I plan on changing the gasket, plugs, wires, oil, filter and seadoaming it this weekend. Then power wash. I'm not trying to dump much money into this car besides the necessities, since my gf is driving it, and it's only a 420a.