Mazda Repair: 91 miata dead miss out of nowhere, miata mx5, jumper wire

Question
I have a 91 miata mx5 i bought not too long ago. The only thing i have done is let a buddy adjust the timing. Shortly thereafter it started smoking . I tried to adjusting the timing back where it was but have no idea how close i got . Now it smokes for a bit for about fifteen minutes after you start it . That being said , yesterday my fiance drove the car about 20 miles and parked it , it was running fine at the time . We went to put gas in the car today and when I started it it seemed to smoke more than usual and was missing really bad . It sounds like crap ,, like a dead miss . Do you think a plug fouled out or a wire went bad ???

Answer
The timing needs to be set with a light and with the computer shunted so a true base line timing came be done otherwise the computer will counter adjust for every adjustment you make.  Shunting is easiest done by placing a jumper wire between GND and TEN in the diagnostics terminal box (driver side under hood).  Base timing should be 10 degree BTDC with a smooth idle at 850 RPM.

With a dead miss the idle will not smooth and thus can't be achieved.  The smoking can't be explained with the information you gave me.  Is it blue, black or white.  Does it clear up when hot or get worse or the same.  Is it at cold start up.

Is there an exhaust leak under the hood near or at the manifold.  (if it's smoking you may see a leak if not you may hear it)

Condition of the spark plugs, pull and look at each noting which cylinder each comes from.  If they haven't been replaced in awhile put in a new set of NGK and same for the ignition wires, NGK.  

serivce@miatashop.com