Engine not well

[318isle]

:(
Hello M42 engine Gurus!
Here is the problem I'm having with my car.
When the engine is cold, it misses really bad and even has a little backfire!
Then when it get all warm a fuzzy, it purrs like a kitty!
I checked my wires and spark plugs, I did find some oil in #1 & 2 plug, but the plug itself was clean.
Could this be the start of a bad head gasket?
If so, I'll really need to remove my head now.

Any advice pertaining to this problem is greatly appreciated.

Mahalo!

[318isle]

Okay since no anwers from the Gurus, I decided to ask MM, and share his advice in case anyone else is having the same problem.

Here is what he said:
It is possible that your coolant sending unit is bad and sending false info to the ECU which is making the car run rich.

[kowalski]

bump, and this causes backfiring?

[RED IS 91]

First thing I'd check would be the Idle Control Valve . Then the MAF . then the Idle position switch . in that order.