checking out an 86 mk3 tomorrow

[oregonjoe]

Another thought - What type of oil did you use??

Break-in oil should be heavy weight non detergent single grade. Like WE30.

Because rings and breaing surfaces need time to seal - light waight oils will get past them really easy and burn in cylinders toll things seat up.

If you used 10W40 oil - it may be too light and just burn up. Also not good for seating new rings.

However - all the issues on oil grages and smoke should not really effect the engine idle or power unless something else is wrong.

The real key is does engine run smooth at idle. Because in order to run smooth at idle it must have good fuel and spark in each cylinder and good timing.

If rough at idle then you check timing, spark, and fuel..

For timing, use light,

For spark, pull wire from distrib and notice any difference.

For fuel, pull plug and look at color of tips.

Plugs will tell you if you are burnung oil, no spark, or no fuel.