funny noise and smoke

[ambivert]

there are 2 phenomena, just started happening recently, both are a bit perplexing and worrying, I don't know if they are related:

1. got an extremely smoky exhaust over the last week or so... more white than black smoke I would say and it only does it on overrun (and seems more inclined to do it whilst turning left) sometimes there is an unbelievable amount of smoke, like once when I stopped at some lights, me and about 20 other vehicles were enveloped in a thick cloud of it, literally zero visibility until it dissipated. Engine did not seem to be bothered by it performance wise. I am not losing coolant or oil in noticable quantities. Worried that not only engine is about to fall apart, I may also get pulled over as its pretty dangerous for everyone behind me...

2. it now also sounds like I am being chased by a Red Indian, when the engine is idling or in low revs. You know that noise you used to make with your hand over your mouth as a kid, wo-wo-wo-wo-wo sort of noise... Its definitely coming out of the engine somewhere and its pretty loud. Loud enough to be heard over the noise which is already there and to be bloody annoying to everyone in the van...

Can anyone help? What could be causing this? Are they related???

[armyphil]

White smoke is Usually water/coolant related cracked liner, head gasket to name a few the "red Indian" noise could be a number of things but your problem sounds head related

what engine are you running??

[ambivert]

1.9 DG petrol manual 4 speed... out of possible early/late versions, I think it may be the early one (1984)

[ambivert]

so a wee update... there's none of that horrible yellow porridge in the coolant or the oil, so maybe the head's ok...
but it is absolutely guzzling oil, burning it faster than petrol! as soon as I put some oil in and drive, it all comes out the back as smoke, and the smoke only stops when it runs out of oil... needless to say I am not driving it very far now...