Several problems with 92 240 base. Just bought

[beatd]

ok first of all i've been searching for all of my issues and i haven't found a clear answer, so please be easy. anyway. i have a 92 240 base manual with 132k on it. I just replaced spark plugs with NGK iriduim, magstar wires (from advance auto parts cuz i couldn't find NGK wires anywhere even if my life depended on it), new distributor cap and rotor, oil change to synthetic mobil 1 10w 30, and replaced the valve cover gasket because it was leaking, and new battery. that is the only thing i have done so far.

the previous owner put a push start in it but i made sure everything was installed properly. there is a hole at the top of the overflow resevior which i will be patching up.

1. Car is having a hard time starting. it would take several tries of cranking for the car to finally turn over, and after it finally starts for the first time it would start up right away at a low rpm then slowly rise to 1500 and stay there. and after i let the car cool off and try to start the car again an hour later it would have a hard time starting agian. What could be causing this?

2. the water temp gauge won't go past the first line. is there any reason for that? could it be broken?

3. Lastly after starting the car there is white smoke coming out of the exhaust. my neighbor told me that its moisture evaporating, but when i searched here poeple said it could be a blown head gasket or bad fuel injectors which one could it be?

when i purchsed the car it already had the starting problem but after i did a semi tune up the car started up like a champ with no problems, but the second time i tried to start it the car would go back to its ways.if anybody could give me a hand i would greatly appreciate it.
Modified by beatd at 12:02 PM 3/14/2006

[teddy]

For future referenceWhite smoke = coolantBlue smoke = oilBlack Smoke = fuel

So if the smoke is white, you probably dont have a fuel related problem. Did you make sure to properly gap your spark plugs? I would also check your timing. If the timing is off, it could make the car harder to start. Possibly do a compression test also, just to rule out the possibility of the headgasket. Check for corrosion on the battery terminals and that all the grounds wires are secured.

As far as the coolant sensor, the stock temp sensor is a 3 stage sensor...meaning that it goes from "Cold -> warm -> oh $hit, I'm screwed" . I would replace the thermostat while you're on the maintenance, it's cheap and easy. The thermostat could possibly be stuck open allowing coolant to constantly run through.