F22A1 Being sluggish

[HappyGilmore]

I recently replaced my spark plugs and valve cover gasket on my coupe, there was a slight smoke issue and has gone away at idle and easy driving. I have noticed when I try to accel hard it feels a bit on the sluggish side until about 4000 RPM and she goes (but I get nasty smoke at that RPM). I am trying to think of what could be the issue here? Head gasket going soon? Coolant leak? I am not sure. The exhaust doesn't smell like coolant either. I am trying to figure out what could be the issue here. Thanks in advance.

Happy

[deevergote]

What color is the smoke? You seem to be focusing on coolant as a possibility.. but that's only if it's white smoke, and it'll smell sweet. Usually, smoke at higher RPM is excess fuel (black smoke). If you're running rich, or your ignition timing is off (causing an incomplete burn), you'd notice a bit of sluggishness. Have you replaced your distributor cap and rotor recently? Have you properly set your ignition timing? Did you check to make sure the plugs were gapped correctly (even quality brand pre-gapped plugs aren't always right... I always check.)
Do all that stuff. If you can find someone with a timing light to help you, it'll cost all of $15, if that.

Is your CEL on? Does it ever come on?

[HappyGilmore]

What color is the smoke? You seem to be focusing on coolant as a possibility.. but that's only if it's white smoke, and it'll smell sweet. Usually, smoke at higher RPM is excess fuel (black smoke). If you're running rich, or your ignition timing is off (causing an incomplete burn), you'd notice a bit of sluggishness. Have you replaced your distributor cap and rotor recently? Have you properly set your ignition timing? Did you check to make sure the plugs were gapped correctly (even quality brand pre-gapped plugs aren't always right... I always check.)
Do all that stuff. If you can find someone with a timing light to help you, it'll cost all of $15, if that.

Is your CEL on? Does it ever come on?

No CEL at all, I should check the gap on the plugs though. And the smoke is white. The old plugs I pulled were showing a lean type burn. And I need to check the dizzy as well. I didn't even think of that, I am getting back in to the swing of playing with cars again!

[deevergote]

You've got plenty to play with!

[HappyGilmore]

So it is possible that she is lean then? I will get back with ya on that!!!!

[ProSouth]

possible yes. check fuel flow. check for clogged lines. clogged filters. clogged injectors. LEAN IS BAD!

[deevergote]

True. Are all of the old plugs showing a lean burn, or just some? Are they chalky/crumbly white, or are they speckled with black spots? Are the new plugs showing any signs?

[oyajicool]

I'd say lean burn does not cause white smoke.

I'd say, if lean condition is created by clogged line, clogged filter or clogged something, the engine will have harder time running as the RPM goes up associated with popping sound coming from tail pipe.

[HappyGilmore]

I'd say lean burn does not cause white smoke.

I'd say, if lean condition is created by clogged line, clogged filter or clogged something, the engine will have harder time running as the RPM goes up associated with popping sound coming from tail pipe.

Any way to clean that up? Any fuel additives? And for the white smoke what could that be? Oil burning?

[RyanD]

white smoke is coolant. which means coolant is getting into the cylinders somehow. blown head gasket maybe?

[Darkcloud]

I'd say lean burn does not cause white smoke.

I'd say, if lean condition is created by clogged line, clogged filter or clogged something, the engine will have harder time running as the RPM goes up associated with popping sound coming from tail pipe.

Running lean can cause smoke (usually a gray or very faint gray smoke)but that would mean that he's not getting alot of fuel to burn.

Injectors or filter

[oyajicool]

Any way to clean that up? Any fuel additives? And for the white smoke what could that be? Oil burning?

Do you mean "how to clean fuel system"? Before you do any of the following, you would like to establish that you have the need for cleaning them first.
1) You may try one of those fuel system cleaner additives.
2) Replace fuel filter,
3) Remove and send injectors for professional clean job.
I have never seen a clogged fuel line yet in my engine tinkering life. So, I don't know what to say about it.
4) Maybe, blow compressed air to clean.

Because you are seeing white smoke coming out at higher RPM, I was tempted to say you have oil burning issue. But, you also say your spark plugs are appearing to have lean burn condition. I am not sure what to suggest.

I'd say to check plugs again after a while. Post photos if possible.

Running lean can cause smoke (usually a gray or very faint gray smoke)but that would mean that he's not getting alot of fuel to burn.

I wonder what kind of substance is burning to create gray smoke in your lean burn condition.

On piston aircraft engines, you can manually control mixture to lean.
These engines are shut down by cutting fuel going into cylinders. I have yet to see gray or faint gray smoke coming out of exhaust pipe(s) on engine shut down.
On some occasions, I see pilots performing ground run up do lean burn. I have yet to see or notice smoke come out in situation like that.
Maybe prop wash is causing smoke to disappear.

[accord4me]

have you checked your oil level after a while to see if it is lower.. because that might be a possible answer.

[HappyGilmore]

I may also add the car has been sitting for about 8 months not being driven as I was school and out of state as well. I was told that old fuel can cause issues as well.

[oyajicool]

If that is the case, fill in new gas and the problem will be solved.

I wonder if that will solve smoking issue but fresh gas should make your engine run better.