Spyder engine revs to 3000rpm max

[Jaydsm-]

First of all Hi im new to the forum.. i just bought my first car and it happens to be a 1996 eclipse spyder gs with a 4g64 SOHC 16v... well a few weeks after i bought it the idle is going up and down on my rpm meter and when i rev the engine it goes to about 3000 rpm then stays there or drops like its losing power or something.. i also have white smoke coming out of the exhaust.. im really lost on what may be causing these problems.. ive read about the MAF sensor i cleaned it and it still has the rough idle and maxed at 3k rpm.. a friend told me i could be running on 3cyl..?
Anyone has had the same problems or knows what could be wrong?
-Thanks

 

[luv2rallye]

The white smoke is burning coolant in a cylinder from a blown head gasket. Compression test will tell you which one although it will be obvious when you pull the head off. The spark plug will be all steam cleaned white along with the piston head in the culpret cylinder too.

 

[Jaydsm-]

The white smoke is burning coolant in a cylinder from a blown head gasket. Compression test will tell you which one although it will be obvious when you pull the head off. The spark plug will be all steam cleaned white along with the piston head in the culpret cylinder too.

Well that makes sense.. And today I fired it up again and I saw white smoke coming out of the exhaust manifold, guess thats another gasket.. Time to tear the engine apart and replace all the gaskets .. that will fix my idle problem and 3k rpm limit?

 

[JusMX141]

Could be so many things- an issue with a mass airflow sensor or another engine control part that is causing the ECU to default to a limp mode to protect the engine, perhaps a blown head gasket between cylinders 2&3 which would show up on a compression test....maybe the engine even jumped time.

 

[dsmBear]

I would say replace all the gaskets. Also test your maf

 

[Jaydsm-]

Could be so many things- an issue with a mass airflow sensor or another engine control part that is causing the ECU to default to a limp mode to protect the engine, perhaps a blown head gasket between cylinders 2&3 which would show up on a compression test....maybe the engine even jumped time.

I would say replace all the gaskets. Also test your maf

Im running out of ideas.. my new plan is to buy a full gasket kit from ebay(please tell me if its a bad idea ) replace all the gaskets, buy a new/used MAF sensor, new O2 sensor and i'll clean the throttle body and IACV/sensor and last but not least adjust the throttle cable.. thats the new plan.. what do you guys think?
one more question; im a beginner I have never torn an engine apart(I do know a lot about engines & cars) do you guys think I can pull this plan off with the right tools, help from a mechanic and the internet of course? I know its gonna take a lot of time and patience

 

[jayson427]

If you have a Manuel and patience it can be done. As long as they are felpro gaskets your good. Just look at some write ups for what you want to do.

 

[Jaydsm-]

If you have a Manuel and patience it can be done. As long as they are felpro gaskets your good. Just look at some write ups for what you want to do.

Allright got it.
I do not have a engine service manual though.. can't find the pdf one on the web
I do have the electrical & an OVERALL 4G6 engine manual but not specific for the 4G64 SOHC 2.4L in my 96 Spyder gs

 

[dans95dsm]

i have the haynes manual and it includes the 2.4l spyder engine