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I have a sputtering problem every once in a while. I found it was a spark plug (the tippy-top comes unscrewed).
If that's not the problem, buy/borrow a compression gage from the parts store. It screws into your spark plug hole. Check each cylinder's compression and write it down. They should only be about 5 psi off from each other. If you have one that is way off...you have either a blown head gasket (you should notice the coolant gage running hot) or a blown pistion/ring (usually you'd see smoke out the tailpipe).
I am leaning more towards the head gasket because you are seeing smoke under the hood. You may be leaking oil onto your exaust manifold causing the smoke you are seeing. If that's the case, easy fix...pull your head, replace the gasket. Be sure to label/take pics of every hose/tube so you can put it where it came from. Also, while it's apart, replace the timing belt.
Rob
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