I bought my 87 transporter camper from a dealer here in Germany in Sep.  Fantastic, packed the family in and headed south for Italy.  Superb, can't get any better.  Then, the thermostat dies taking the water pump with it.  With those replaced it's back to the holiday, when 8km from Venice the head gasket goes.  We didn't get to see Venice.  Anyway since the replacements have been fitted the van hasn't been the same coughing up black /blue and grey smoke on start up.  Which takes longer now than usual.  Could it be the timing isn't set properly?  Or pistons or rings?  Please could someone give me a clue.  If I put it in the garage it'll cost me the earth just to find out the problem.  I'm no mechanic, but I'll have a go.  Thanks in advance.

P.S..  My kids miss their van, so do I.

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