I just now finished reassembling the parts after replacing the head gasket (for the first time).

IACV was cleaned, motor oil, and Transmission oil was replaced all fine.

What just happened:
The RPM stayed at 2500 for twenty seconds, and a lot of white smoke came through the tail pipe. The hood didn't produce any smoke. The smoke Didn't smell sweet, and I just can't tell if this is burnt smell, since I don't have related experience.
No CEL.

I followed Honda manual, and every torque was applied accordingly. I went over my own note from the manual, and I don't think I missed something. Head was milled at NAPA, OEM gasket, and new head bolts. If anything, I cleaned the block with Lacquer thinner.

 

The smoke was nothing like a blown head gasket. It was as something was pumping smoke furiously through the tail pipe.

*RPM used to stay at over 1500 for minutes after cold start.

On the mating surfaces between the head and the block, there was no crack. The block was measured with feeler gauge and newly bought carpenter's steel ruler, and there was no significant gap compared with the Honda manual.

 

Did it do it just that once after you started it the first time or is it still doing it?

 

I turned on the engine for the first time just twenty minutes ago, and I didn't turn it on again, since I got scared.

I turned the engine on for fifteen seconds. Then off. Then second time fifteen seconds, to check other symptoms other than the smoke but nothing noticeable.

Oh, one more, I head to turn over for over ten seconds to get it running again

It's freezing outside, would the high rpm be related to that?

 

Pull your backup fuse under hood and make it relearn to idle

I would check your timing and do a compression test if your still having problems getting it to start

but wait until tomorrow If you just finished this job and look at it with fresh eyes

 

Okay, I will.

Timing was checked several times with precise references- just don't want again to pull the crank pulley out at this moment. Starting problem was one time only, after that, at second time, the car started right up.

Can you tell me details about how to do the method? I can't find on the manual. Thank you.

 

Bleed your cooling system real good dont forget to open the heater core up

either disconnect the battery or pull the under hood backup fuse to make your car relearn its idle
(resets your computer Again)

the smoke may just be condensation from the cold air

 

Okay, the smoke doesn't come out as much after one more minute of idle. But then, right after, the rpm starts acting up - it goes to 2500 and come down to 1500 and goes back up as if I accelerated purposely. The cycle repeats every 3 seconds.
I shut the engine down again. And I'm guessing if it's due to the leftover of carburetor cleaner inside IAVC. But I think it should evaporate quickly? I don't know.
I'm just scared to do any move further - like changing gear to Drive to see if it idles smoother.

My resonator is clogged a bit, by the way.

 

Did you put the dowel pins back in.

 

I did, all two of them.

 

there's probably still air in your cooling system

 

are you sure its smoke and not the fact that you stated its freezing cold outside? Mine makes white "smoke" when its cold out but it isnt smoke, its just the exhaust.

 

Bleed the cooling system.

 

I got the car up to operating temperature with the cap open, and the heater on, and then 30 seconds more, then turned off.

I turned the engine on today early morning, and the smoke came out like a dragon does, like the first time yesterday. My car was surrounded by it like foggy weather. I turned the engine off just after 20 seconds of turning it on. It was just scary.

I checked the reservoir, and it was almost empty. It was full yesterday.

I'm suspecting if the block itself is warped. NAPA machine shop said, the head needed to be milled by five-thousandth, which is more than the average milling thickness, they told me.

Lastly I got an engine code. I drove one feet back and forth, then the light came on.
I'm gonna pull the code with the dashboard method and update.

 

Head gasket on upside down?

 

Nah. I knew it's supposed to be only one way fit with two dowel pins, and I saw the fit before reassembling.

 

I can't get the f***ing right panel off to get to ECU. I can touch the jumper connector with my index finger, but it won't come off? But then I can't still see any hooking portion? The connector seems it's supposed to just slide out, but it doesn't! And I can't find info about how to on that? Any tip guys?

'00 LX

Update: I got this. No biggie anymore.

 

The code is 73, or Cylinder #3 misfire. I once had that one month ago, and it was due to a faulty spark plug. I checked out that somebody having the same situation with a Ford, didn't solve it by changing the #3 spark plug.

A bit of milky residue on oil cap and dip stick. The hell? I just changed out the head gasket yesterday?

The smoke is kinda weird smell and no distinct sweetness, and rubber-burning smell, Not oil-burnt smell.

Update: Will do the compression test.

Update: I didn't change out the intake manifold gasket, which seemed green at the time. But I couldn't get it off, and the surfaces looked to be sealing. So, I didn't change out. I have new one in my trunk though. Could it be the problem? No observable oil in coolant.
I narrowed it down to a cracked block/head or intake gasket. I guess compression test first.