Smoke upon start up

[lamb125]

Have recently noticed that when starting from cold (with foot fully depressed on the pedal as it invaribly stalls in the initial frst minute of running if foot is released) I'm getting a bad puff of smoke exhausting out after say 10 seconds after firing up. The smoke soon disperses (the smell isn't pleasant however). The van is often parked overnight in the streer with the o/s on a slight downwards camber; a mechanic friend of mine did make the observation that no.3 plug was oily when checked. The engine is a DG 1.9 petrol. Does this sound terminal, or charactoristic when parked on a camber as it doesn't always chuck out smoke upon startup. Oil was changed about 3 weeks ago and I reckon I've lost 0.5 litres of oil in about 500 miles as it's gone from sitting at the top notch of the dip stick to 1/2 way now. The exhaust is also blowing nicely at the flange where it joins to pipe that connects to the cast elbow - could that be contributing to the smoking also? Fuel economy is still up around 25mpg.

[armyphil]

To be honest I would get the exhaust fixed first before anything else,

What engine oil did you use when you serviced it?

[lamb125]

Thanks for your reply; not sure what grade of oil, but i'll check with the guy next week as he's having it back in to flush/replace the coolant, replace some perished hoses and fit a carb overhaul kit as it has a bad flat spot. I agree though the exhaust should get high priority...just the sheer expense of it all!!