help needed

i have a 1998 eclipse spyder gs 2.4l, 185,000+ miles.
i have a number of issues with the car but my main concern is the white smoke that blows out of the exhaust for a good while after i start the car when it has been sitting for a while. its usually worse when it is cold. after doing some research online im guessing its the head gasket. now i started to think about it and besides the white smoke i have none of the other symptoms that have been described pointing to the head gasket. now also my clutch is so bad i can barely get to 60-65 trying to get on the interstate , which i try to never drive....so as for the car running rough symptom i cant really tell. it could be that or the clutch giving way.

now i guess what my question is besides the head gasket can there be something else causing the smoke?

also the smoke stops after the car warms up. either by driving it right after i start it (which i try to never do) or letting it sit there on for about 15-25 min.

thanks for any help

I found a video for you, see www.youtube.com/watch?v=3suQy44G_B0 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3suQy44G_B0)

Symptoms of a bad Head gasket-
White smoke
Shorted coolant
Contaminated coolant reservoir tank
Coolant in block
Overheated engine

The car is running rough, and not getting HP to the rear wheels.
When was your last tune up?

I found a video for you, see www.youtube.com/watch?v=3suQy44G_B0 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3suQy44G_B0)

Symptoms of a bad Head gasket-
White smoke
Shorted coolant
Contaminated coolant reservoir tank
Coolant in block
Overheated engine

The car is running rough, and not getting HP to the rear wheels.
When was your last tune up?

thanks for the vid, i was wondering about a liquid fix but wonder how effective they really are.

as for the symptoms you listed..
i have the white smoke but it stops after the car is warmed up
shorted coolant...not really, i check it the other day and it was a tiny bit low but doesnt seem like enough was missing for the amount of smoke that has been pouring out of it in the mornings.
contaminated coolant reservoir tank....nope color seems fine.
coolant in block....no clue
overheated engine.....i have been watching my temp guage more then i watch the road to make sure that at the moment it shoots up i can stop the car. its never gets high at all, it stays at normal temp the whole time and i have to drive a good distance a few days a week and it never overheats.

i have no clue....

Good news, I dont think you have a blown head gasket.
If you planted, that seed in a mechanic head, he would of charged you $1500.

1) New air filter
2) New fuel filter
3) New upstream HO2 sensor
4) Clean MAF/IACT sensors with CRC MAF sensor cleaner.
5) New plugs + wires

You can loose horse power, because of bad Air, fuel, ignition, or exhaust.

Good news, I dont think you have a blown head gasket.
If you planted, that seed in a mechanic head, he would of charged you $1500.

1) New air filter
2) New fuel filter
3) New upstream HO2 sensor
4) Clean MAF/IACT sensors with CRC MAF sensor cleaner.
5) New plugs + wires

You can loose horse power, because of bad Air, fuel, ignition, or exhaust.

well that sounds alot better then a head gasket.
thanks for the help

I wouldnt do any of that just yet. READ READ READ a simple google search will turn up lots of information. Plus his grammar/spelling isnt top notch. Read all of this then post another, more detailed question.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_can_cause_white_smoke_from_the_exhaust