I'm having an issue with cold starts. It starts out rough and then fires. No check engine light yet. It doesn't do it all the time but last few day it is consistent. Any ideas?

 

I have noticed the valve cover to have a very small circle of some fluid around the pcv valve. Does this mean bad news?

 

Check all the basics; plugs, wires, vacuum lines. Get a code scanner and run the EEC self test to see if the computer recorded any anomalies.

Check the PCV valve to see if there's a lot of crud built up. That indicates a lot of blow-by from the cylinders, which means worn pistons and rings.

 

What year?

 

It is 1999.