Things are probably not all that bleak.  You have fouled the plugs.
Take them out and replace them with the Bosch +4 Platinum plugs or at
least a new conventional set.  You might be able to wipe them off and
re-gap them if they are new.  You may also have a stuck injector, but
change the plugs first.  If that doesn't fix it check the injectors.

In cold weather compression can be low in a cold, worn engine, fuel
condenses out on the plugs, starting can be hard or impossible, and lots
of smoke will result when the excess fuel finally lights off.  I have
this same problem on my 200k+ mile '84, and hope to install a used
engine in the next couple of weeks.

Cold weather demands that everything be "in tune!"

joseph Trussell wrote:
>
> Yesterday morning I went out to the parking lot and she started--white smoke
> billowed from the exhaust, I mean a BUNCH of smoke, blanketing the entire
> area.  Also there was a large black spot below the exhaust pipe, and she was
> loping along maybe running on 3, and couldn't keep an idle.  I had her towed
> back to my house and she wouldn't start at all last night.  I tried again
> this morning, and the same thing--tons and tons of smoke and running
> extremely rough and cant hold an idle.  After she stalled, she would not
> fire again for anything.

>
> Any ideas?
> Thank You,
> Joe Trussell
> '85 GL "bessie"
> '86 scirocco 16v 'tony'
>
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--
Stuart MacMillan
Manager, Case Program
800-909-8244 ext 208

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