Dodge Spirit with rough start

[kingpinner]

I have an 89 Dodge Spirit 2.5L with a troublesome problem. Everytime I start the car it takes about a minute for the rough idle to stop and the check engine light comes on and it runs normal. I had it hooked up and it came up code 16 which seems to be the knock cylinder 3 code. It seems that it is burning excessive gas during start up and is putting out fumes only for that initial warm-up. As soon as the check engine light comes on the vehicle runs perfect. I'm hoping someone has a solution.

Thanks

[kingpinner]

Okay, so I've read through a lot of these posts and this is what I've changed so far, Map sensor, Throttle Postion sensor, Coolant Temp Sensor, Thermostat, Radiator, Water Pump, Thermostat, O2 sensor, and general mantience stuff. The car is starting better but the car is still not letting coolant circulate, I've tried three new thermostats but the coolant still isn't cirulating past the thermostat and the car is overheating without registering it as overheating. After about 10 minutes you can smell the heat but the gauge registers about half way. I am getting bubbling in the coolant reservoir. I've tried it without the thermostat and it runs fine! What do I do?

Any suggestions would be helpful
Thanks

[KManiac]

Search this forum for my post titled "1991 Dodge Shadow Cooling System Issues". I think this will give you a clue to work with. Let me know if you have any questions or comments.

[mcmalloy]

These 2.5L are common for the head gasket going. Just rev it up with the rad cap off , if the coolent shoots out of the rad,then you are getting exust into the cooling system.If it was overheated bad you may have a cracked head or block.