Automotive thread.....

Does the car smoke after idling for a while? I worked for 3 years with GM and was a diagnostic specialist with Autozone for 4-5 years... Mainly just educating employees and such. If you're close by either an Autozone or Advance, I'd say stop in and have them run an OBD2 diagnostic scan on it. It's free for cars newer than '96 and it will give you a good starting point.  I'll try to help as much as I can though, on here...   

Chances are it's not the coil, Generally speaking, A coil will start to show signs when it's hot (loseing fire) and oil on the plugs would indicate either the rings or valve seals. If it smokes a little all the time, it's rings, If it only smokes after prolonged idling it probably valve seals... Get it scanned first. With all the sensors controlling timing now a days it's a good idea, before you start tearing into anything. Heck it could very well be something as simple as a vacum leak causing it to run rough, but the oil on the plugs is a sure sign of future, more serious problems..

If it was me I'd start off by looking really good for vacuum leaks (there is a really neat trick to this involving a propane torch but I won't go there...Just incase) Just get down and look and listen to all your lines. Pop the hood at night in a very dark area and look for any arching in the wires.. Next you can go the pcv valve since it's really cheap, and the fuel filters not a bad idea either. I doubt it's an O2 sensor, as they usually result in just lower mpg and will show up on a scan (Though sometimes the scanner reads them as misfires) Have you gotten gas anywhere different lately? Could be water/ trash in the lines. Run it till it's about empty and then fill up with high test....If you suspect water, you can add half a bottle of rubbing alcohol, as it will allow the gas and water to mix and burn out. Never, put just a little gas in a car and use fuel injector cleaner or put more than one bottle in a tank!! It will burn the valves!

All this is just off the top of my head... I'll give it some real thought and drop you an email with some more ideas..-Pix

Another thing it could be is the "Muffler bearing exhaust gasket" if you have high humidity.

Hey thanx pix I'm gonna take the car today and get another test, cuz this employee did look like he was just waiting to clock out and go home!  I did put gas at this little HEB grocerey store I always put gas at walmart! There is this loud hiss sound but I thought it was the air condition but I turned on the car with no a/c and i still hear a loud hiss like alot of air escaping!! Anyway let me try some of these things and thanx for the info. CHORDIE-for all your guitar and automotive needs. LOL!!!