A little help needed here

Okay, so I got my 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS for free from a friend at work as stated in my intro. Problem is, it does not pass smog per the requirements for the state of Nevada. It has white smoke coming out on take off (i.e. rolling from a light, or just leaving from being parked, etc.). One friend of mine, who is an import fanatic says it needs an overhaul. New gasket set including head gasket, new piston rings, the whole nine yards, THEN the basics like a tune up (plugs, wires, timing, etc), oil filter, fuel filter, among other things.

On the other hand, another friend of mine says it JUST needs basic maintenance done, THEN do the TRIAL AND ERROR method. Here's where I am confused. Today, I had my import fan friend over and we went to inspect the plugs, which we couldn't because.... well, the darn wires just wouldn't budge, but while doing this we noticed that all around the wires underneath the cover was ALL KINDS of oil. When I had my 96 Pontiac Firebird, and we did a spark plug and wire swap, we noticed oil deposits which at the time we were thinking piston rings we're bad.

Now, my friend who says basic maintenance is all I need says piston rings are not the issue http://www.mitsubishi-forums.com/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif , and this is the same friend who helped do the plugs and wires on my firebird :sly: Though he was in agreement with my import buddy when we both said it could be my fuel injectors.

My question here is.... What else should we look at? Any other ideas? Throttle body was also called into question as well as cat converter, so I am just curious. I want to keep this project as budget repairable as possible. Like under $500, which both of my friends say it's possible, but the more and more I talk to both, the more and more they both make it sound like more money will be dumped into this car.

So, uh.... :feedback: is appreciated! Thanks!

BTW, I've already tried posting this on another website forum, and already one idiot decided decided to be a real ass and post up that I was not asking any questions. So, my only objective here is to get as little NON-Attitude and Non-dumbass related responses as possible. I'm trying to fix my car, not get frustrated with it. If I want to talk to dumb people, I can go to work for that!! :banghead: Just my :2cents: on that one!

Not the rings, that would be black smoke. White is usally a water leak. Probably a Head Gasket getting ready to go.

As for the plug wires. All 1st Gen cars I have been around have had this problem. The wires get stuck in the plug holes. I acually jerked one in half tring to get it out. Just try and twist the wire back and forth as your pulling and eventually it will come out. My advice would be to get a new set of lifetime guareteed wires so if you do rip one apart in the future you can just return it.

Not the rings, that would be black smoke. White is usally a water leak. Probably a Head Gasket getting ready to go.

As for the plug wires. All 1st Gen cars I have been around have had this problem. The wires get stuck in the plug holes. I acually jerked one in half tring to get it out. Just try and twist the wire back and forth as your pulling and eventually it will come out. My advice would be to get a new set of lifetime guareteed wires so if you do rip one apart in the future you can just return it.

I thought (based on what my friends say) that if the rings were bad it would be grey smoke, and if it were black smoke, I'd be burning oil. :confused:

In any case, a few others on a few other boards say head gasket as well, just wasn't too sure. Now how bout fuel injectors? Could that be a part of the problem? and what about Cat Converter? Think it should be inspected at the very least?

If your rings are bad, you would be burning oil. Hence why the smoke would be darker.

I still think I should at the least look at the cat converter, fuel filter, injectors and pump just to be safe. Wouldn't you think?

If the cat was bad you would most likely smell rotten eggs. Fuel filter and the car wouldn't run properly (mine would bog down during a low load situation). Injectors and your car would run rich or lean. Fuel pump and you would have lower than normal FP. None of the above would cause white smoke. White smoke = burning coolant. Sounds like you are up for a HG.

Sounds like you are up for a HG

I agree, that was the problem in the laser when i bought it.

okay, just wanted to make sure, because my friend says we should do an overhaul and I just want go with whatever is the cheapest route to get this car fixed. I am going to go with doing basic maintenance at the same time while we're at it, because .... well, this car hasn't had it done for a LONG LONG time. Probably not since it's first owner took possession of the car!