Misfire and Coolant Smell Question

[MikeMoss]

I have a 2001 Camaro with 156,xxx on the motor, recently on cold start it runs pretty rough and sometimes I get a flashing SES light, random multiple cylinder misfire, after it runs for like 30 sec. to a min. it goes away and runs perfect.

Also I think that I am somehow burning coolant on cold start on occasion because I can smell it. And once I got a white cloud out the tailpipe.

My question is is there any way other then a blown head gasket to make it possible for coolant to get into the combustion chamber and could this cause a missfire. And is it possible that when it is cold the head gasket doesn't seal and then once it warms up it seals, this is about all I could come up with.

Thanks for any help or recommendations about what to do.

[DaddySS]

Start with the basics and go from there. A leak down test, compression test and cooling system pressure test will give a good deal of information that you don't now have. Coolant and rich mixture sometimes smell alike, white puff on start can be valve seals which may also be fouling the plugs. When you pull the plugs and run the tests you'll know a lot more.

[camarojunky74]

i think you are on the right track as of now, i would run a cranking compression test cold and then again hot and see if you have a change, also a head gasket will do this, cause what you are having problems with,

put a coolant tester on the car and pump it up you shouldnt have any loss of pressure if you do, then you know you have a problem , it wouldnt be a bad idea to get new head gaskets and have a valve job or something alond those lines, good luck