Engine is not running smooth

On higher mileage engines the internal parts are very worn such as piston rings. This can allow small amounts of oil into the ignition chamber. This burns off as you run the engine.
If the amounts of smoke is small and not very often it is nothing too serious to worry about. If there is a lot of it and it regularly happens, the only way to fix the problem is to completely dismantle the engine and rebuild it with all new seals and gaskets, a full engine rebuild.

You may get some popping with a leaking exhaust but not common. Sounds like you're in need of a tune up. Spark plugs and new wires to start. The flames are due to unburnt fuel from mostly a miss fire. Try a simple tune up first, also make sure you have a new air filter to help the motor breathe easier and save money at the pumps. Be sure to check and replace any old/cracked vacuum lines as this will cause poor performance too. Hope this helps start you in the right direction.

"gray smoke balls out one good time then gone then starts out sluggish then smooths on out while giving gas". wow, my 92 was still running with a little boggle down and check engine light on plus needing lots of work i decided to sell it. it sold fast mainly because the body and interior was excellent. My suggestion to save money, spray some starting fluid before starting ..just loosen the hose from air filter and spray then put the hose back..try starting..if it starts better may be fuel filter or injectors?? if it does not start better make sure your plugs and wires are good..the main problem with these hondas are the expense of having a dealership or repair shop work on it when it gets this old and very high mileage..mine was a great car even with 260000...i put on a new radiator, TMC, got lucky as the water pump was leaking a little and a bottle of stop leak really worked for 2 years i had the car. but when you get into timing belt/chain, water pump, cv joints going bad, and the other items that must be replaced when needed...only you can decide if you want to keep it and spent the $$$$ or sell it...they are very good cars and seen to sell easy. thats my 2 cents ..hope it is something small and you get her going again..good luck!

Have the exaust system checked pluged up cat will act like that
The exaust cant get out so thats when it dies once the exaust bleads off it will start again

the white smoke occurrence is due to unique Vehicle usageconditions like slow speed & Short trips drivingthe catalytic convertor is not able reach its optimum reactiontemperature. As a result, the Hydrocarbon accumulates in the Catalytic Converter.After sometime, once the saturation limit is attained, the accumulated Hydrocarbon
starts burning inside the Catalytic Converter. During this Chemical Reaction,Momentarily the white smoke is seen in the exhaust and is normal

Oil in coolant, white smoke at start up = blown head gasket or cracked cylinder.

White smoke is water vapor from coolant. Only at startup indicates a small (extremely small) leak -- it will get bigger. Only at startup is because as engine cools it sucks water into cylinder. A compression check will tell you which cylinder is the problem (could be multiple)

Black smoke is caused by excess fuel that has entered the cylinder area and cannot be burned completely. Another term for excess fuel is "running rich." Poor fuel mileage is also a common complaint when black smoke comes out of the tailpipe. Black smoke out the tailpipe is the least cause for alarm. Excess fuel will usually effect engine performance, reduce fuel economy, and produce a fuel odor.

How did the fuel get into the cylinder in the first place? Some of the causes of excess fuel are a carburetor that is out of adjustment, a faulty fuel pump, a leaky fuel injector, or a faulty engine computer or computer sensor. If black smoke is present, check the engine oil as in the white smoke example to make sure excess fuel has not contaminated it. Do not start the engine if a heavy, raw fuel smell can be detected in the engine oil. Call your mechanic and advise him of what you have found.

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check the distribor cap and rotor buttom, sounds like a cracked cap, hope to help

My first guess would be a dirty carb/fuel injector set. Run some fuel cleaner through the tank and see if it gets better. You might have to do it through a couple of tanksful. How long since you've had a tune-up? It might just be that time.

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