1900 DG waterboxer cloud of smoke...

[buteux]

Recently I seem to have overfilled the oil in my beloved camper.
Anyway, under load going up hill it let out loads of smoke, i lifted off the throttle, everything returnd to normal. Same again at the next few hills.
Anyway, i have been driving to work and back each day since then and it seems to run as it always has, maybe a little less power.
On inspection of the plugs, the left hand bank (nearside) had a fair bit of oil around them, but the plugs, oddly, were loose in their holes.
This is the first time ive looked at the plugs in the 8months that ive owned it, so more fool me..
Anyway, the plugs tightened up nicely, and the van continues to run. Its due for a service later this week, but im wondering if i should..

a) get it serviced, new plugs , oil etc, see what happens.
b) get the compression looked at and get the piston rings etc looked at.
c) new engine.

Id even consider doing the job myself if it could be done in situ, but my tools were stolen 10 years ago and ive never tackled anything this serious.

Is there a chance its not too bad??
If its cylinder head, is it difficult and can it be done in the van?
If its a new engine, whos good value and local (Leicester)?

PS rollered it using cov kids instructions and its looking 10 years younger.

Thanks in advance for any help, sorry to be ignorant of what may turn out to be obvious, ive read all sorts about water leaks, smoke and wynns rad leak stop (meaning its not time for a head gasket), so im hoping this oil issue may have an equally simple solution.

[syncrosimon]

Another endearing quirk of these engines is the burping back of excess crankcase pressure through to the air intake, resulting in a belch of smoke. My old DG used to do it once in a while on uphill stretches and my DJ has done it once on the motorway. I seem to remember that common opinion was to not quite fill the old girl to the upper mark, but have it somewhere in between the marks instead. My engine has not used any oil in the last 3000 miles so is still on the upper mark, and has only happened once on the motorway.
This is possibly the prob, and not to be worriedd about. Loose plugs would not make it smoke.
Any servicing is always a good plan. But some more tools quick, keep them in the van in the under seat front seat box.

I would just do the service and not worry for a bit, they are such big lumps that trying to guess if she is a bit underpowered is hard to do acurately. A little bit of headwind drops your speed considerably.
Simon.

Ps welcome to the site.

[toomanytoys]

My 'velle uses oil to about half way then sits there.. so i dont bother topping up if its half way...

For you to tackle the engine without tools and not much experience is a big no no.. service it by all means.. fit new plugs etc and even dizzy cap etc.. Air filter, fuel filter etc, check the ignition timing and carb is in good nick.. make sure everything is in fine fettle.. then drive it..

Oh, dont be tempted to use "engine flush" or any fancy full synth oil in it.. use a good quality 15w40/15w50.. with an API SG-SH rating.. VW quantum is still available surprisingly reasonable price..

You aint gonna "get the rings looked at" so dont even suggest it.. compression test.. well may or may not show how worn it is..
Generally if it aint smoking normally and on overun or from a cold start, then its best left alone.. or if you really want to spend the cash get a fresh engine...